A Legacy of Innovation
The history of Sun World is a story of ‘firsts’ and ‘mosts.’ Beginning in the 1970’s, the Company revolutionized the produce business by introducing many new proprietary fruits and vegetables to an industry accustomed to commodities.
Sun World’s’s table grape breeding program is one of the largest and longest-running programs in the world, with 50,000+ acres planted in 15 countries, and 300+ plant patents held across a robust genetics platform.
1970 – 1980s 
1990 – 2000s 
2010-2020 
Sun World Today 1970 – 1980s
1970 – 1980s
- Modern-day Sun World founded by Howard Marguleas, Carl Sam Maggio and Domenick (Cookie) Bianco as a multi-commodity produce packer and marketer.
- New branded proprietary varieties launched including peppers, tomatoes and for the 1st time in the U.S. – seedless watermelon.
- Superior Farming Co., a vertically integrated fruit breeder/grower/marketer, acquired. A significant varietal development center and program, and 25,000 acres of farmland, were part of this acquisition.
1990 – 2000s
1990 – 2000s
- Introduced first proprietary black seedless grape under MIDNIGHT BEAUTY® brand; an exotic premium grape under SABLE SEEDLESS® brand; a new line of red-fleshed plums under BLACK DIAMOND® brand; and a new proprietary red grape under the SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS® brand.
- International licensing business begins.
- First to use genetic markers to develop naturally disease-resistant varietals.
- Sun World opened offices in Mexico, South Africa, Chile, Australia and Europe.
2010-2020
2010-2020
- ADORA SEEDLESS® and AUTUMNCRISP® grape varietals launched.
- Licensing offices opened in North America, Peru and Brazil and licensing initiated in California.
- Divested farming and sales operations and refocused business on variety development and licensing.
- Opened Center for Innovation to house fruit breeding and variety development operations. See video…
Sun World Today
Sun World Today
The Company’s passion to innovate has been integral to the vision and business philosophy that runs through its history and that continues to be part of Sun World’s DNA going forward.