Wawona Packing Co., a leading grower and shipper of organic and conventional tree fruit based in Cutler, CA, announced the start of its 2019 stone fruit season on April 29.

Beginning with proprietary varieties of organic and conventional peaches and nectarines, the program will expand to include additional commodities and varieties as the season progresses, with plums, Pluots and apricots available by mid-May.

Wawona anticipates a large, promotable volume of stone fruit throughout its full 26-week season. Several of the varieties included in this year’s program are a result of the company’s acquisition of the stone fruit breeding assets of Burchell Nursery last summer.

"Our proprietary breeding program allows us to start earlier and finish later than our competitors, while maintaining exceptional quality throughout the season," said Mark Berlinger, tree fruit sales manager at Wawona. "We always have had an extensive research and development program, and our partnership with Burchell Nursery has further expanded our ability to provide the most flavorful, high-quality varieties to our customers."

With more than 9,000 acres of farmland in production in California’s central San Joaquin Valley, Wawona’s stone fruit program is the most diverse of its kind, offering organic and conventional varieties for yellow and white peaches, yellow and white nectarines, black and red plums and Pluots, along with conventional apricots.