Gallo, Mid Valley expand to new sites

DECEMBER 18, 2015

By JOHN HOLLAND

Ag supplier makes Oakdale its seventh location

Site offers pesticides, fertilizers, hardware and more

Modesto-based Gallo buys custom crush and bottling operation in Napa

E.&J. Gallo Winery of Modesto is expanding its business in premium grapes with the purchase of a custom crush and bottling business in the Napa Valley.

Meanwhile, farmers of many kinds can do business at the new Oakdale branch of Mid Valley Agricultural Services, which now has seven locations.

Mid Valley cut the ribbon last week on a 14-acre site on the Oakdale-Waterford Highway, which provides fertilizers, pesticides and other things needed to grow crops. It also has a 7,000-square-foot agricultural hardware store.

“Oakdale is a great community and we look forward to continuing to grow our business in the surrounding area,” said Larry Beck, co-founder and president, in a news release.

Mid Valley, founded in 1983, employs more than 200 people, plus about 25 students for field scouting during summer. The company has more than 50 certified crop advisers and pest control advisers, and it is a leader in safety training for farmers and workers.

The business started in Linden and also has locations in Escalon, Hughson, Westley and Livingston, as well as Brentwood in Contra Costa County. The Oakdale opening was celebrated last week by more than 600 growers, vendors and other guests.

“Our success over the past 30 years has been a direct reflection of our people and their service,” Beck said.

Gallo this week announced that it is buying The Ranch Winery, which provides custom grape crushing, winemaking and bottling in St. Helena. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 70-plus-acre property can crush about 30,000 tons of grapes and has 4.6 million cases of bottling capacity and 8 million gallons of storage. It is about 15 miles from two previous Gallo acquisitions, the Louis M. Martini and William Hill wineries.

“We are excited to have this highly capable winery in close proximity to our other Napa wineries,” said Roger Nabedian, senior vice president and general manager of Gallo’s premium wine division. “This purchase supports the company’s continued growth in the super-premium and luxury-wine segment.”

Gallo, founded in 1933 and the world’s largest wine producer, has dealt mainly with San Joaquin Valley grapes over its history. It has expanded in recent decades into Napa, Sonoma and other premium California regions, as well as Washington state. It also imports wine from several countries.

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/news/business/agriculture/article50601715.html#storylink=cpy