THE TABLE GRAPE CAPITAL
OF THE WORLD
Credit
for the establishment of the Delano, California area as the "Table Grape
Capital" of the world goes to the Dalmatians from Croatia. Most of the men
responsible came here in their early teens at the turn of the century, many of
them coming to Delano from Hvar, an island in the Adriatic.
To
earn money, many of the Croatians worked in restaurants, hotels, mines and
fisheries. Their dreams, however, were to find land similar to their homeland
where they could grow grapes and other fruits.
Marin
Caratan was the first Croatian to settle in the Delano area. He came in 1923
and was followed by his brother Anton in 1926. After surveying the soil and
finding suitable climate and adequate water, the Caratans made a beginning.
They knew grape growing from the old country, and since table grapes were
growing in popularity, that is what they planted. Their first ranch was near
Columbine with a planting of 160 acres of Thompson Seedless. Marty Caratan, a
third generation, relates, "'My grandfather leveled the whole field by
himself with a mule team."'
In
1929 Jack and Dan Radovich, another brother team, entered the area. Attracted
by the successful start made by the Caratans and the Radoviches, more Croatians
and their families came to the Delano area and started more vineyards. Anton,
Vincent and Marko Zaninovich came in 1933, as did Dan Tudor. Other early grape
growers in Delano were Martin Gutunich, Marion and George Zaninovich, Pete
Jakovich, Pete Divizich, Nick Bozanich, Louis Caric, Steve Pandol, George
Lucas, Frank Lucich, John and Prosper Dulcich, Marin and Sam Barbich.
The
second generation is keeping up the tradition of growing grapes, although some
have branched out to production of vegetables and other crops. Some of these
are the Zaninoviches -- Mark B., Andrew A., Nick, John V., Andrew V., Tony,
Martin, Vincent M., Jack, and Vincent V. Others include Luis, Milan, and George
Caratan. the Pandols - Jack, Matt and Steve Jr.: Steve Caric and Louis Caric
Jr., John and Vincent Jakovich, John Buksa, Frank Tudor, Steve Pavich, Nick
Bozanich Jr., Jack Radovich Jr., Kenneth Kovacevich, Jack Dulcich, Martin
Jelacich.
From
its thousands of acres of grapes, Delano produces about 50% of the world's
table grapes by 5% of the world's growers. Delano ships millions of boxes of
Thompson Seedless, Emperors, Riblers, Calmerias, and other varieties to markets
throughout the world. In 1946 Delano shipped its first cargo by air to New
York. Later Delano was the first city in the world to ship full flights of
table grapes on a 147 jet to Hong Kong.
The
Slavonian Hall on County Line Road has been the center for Croatian social and
cultural activities as well as the site for many Delano community special
events. Many of the Croatians have donated their services to the community as
expert chefs. The Pandol brothers are famous for their lamb, charcoaled steaks,
and macaroni sauce. Frank Lucich, Steve Caric, Andrew A. and John V. Zaninovich
are noted for their macaroni sauce and sauerkraut. Expert barbecue chefs are
Vincent M. and Vincent V. Zaninovich, Luis, Milan, and George Caratan, Nick
Zaninovich, Louis Caric and Martin Jelacich.
Delano's
Croatian families started small, worked hard, and prospered. They are highly
respected citizens, and they have provided jobs for thousands in the Delano
area.
1973
History of Delano