Dave Nichols
Lewiston, NY
"It takes a lot of care to bring a grapevine into production".
Since 1880, Dave Nichols' family has been growing grapes on their Lewiston, New York vineyard. Today, Dave cultivates their land alongside the family's fifth generation of grape farmers. It's his wealth of experience along with passion for new technologies that help them produce the finest grapes possible for Welch's. For Dave, growing grapes is a lot like raising children. "A grapevine you have to train up on a trellis much like you would train a child the right way to go in the world."
It's that unique perspective that helps Dave carefully grow the highest-quality grapes to use in each of our Welch's grape products. It's Dave's desire to be the best farmer he can be in order to produce an exceptional crop. And, as he likes to tell people, "I know the consumer is getting the best with the Welch's product."
Bob Militello
Forestville, NY
"The Welch's brand name and label stand for quality and trust".
With over 33 years on the National Grape Board of Directors, Bob Militello knows a thing or two about growing the highest quality grapes. For him, farming isn't a job; it's a way of life. As Bob will tell you, "Most successful farmers have a great passion to do what they do on a farm, as we do, and take a lot of pride just growing the crop."
From grapevines planted by his wife's great-grandfather to new innovations used by the family's fifth generation of farmers, Bob's commitment stands for consistently growing the finest grapes in order to produce Welch's quality products. It's easy to see that passion for quality runs deep with Bob, as it does for each of our 1,150 proud family farmer owners."
Dan Sprague
Perrysburg, NY
"I'm glad to be part of a good company that works very hard at becoming a great company".
Dan Sprague's family farm has been growing quality grapes for over 50 years. And during that time if you ask him for his favorite farming memory, he's quick to tell you it's the day he became one of Welch's 1,150 family farmer owners. For Dan it's simple, "It's always knowing we would have a home for the grapes."
Because Dan doesn't want to sell his crop to just anyone, he and his family work side-by-side to grow the highest quality grapes on their vineyard. It's that pride in quality that allows Dan to meet every challenge they face to produce a great crop. Passion for quality drives Dan and his family. It's that passion for quality that makes us proud to have them in our Welch's family of farmer owners.
Elizabeth Hamlet Tytk
Sheridan, NY
"The Welch's brand means quality and everybody working together to improve that quality".
For over 120 years, Elizabeth Hamlet Tytka's family has been farming their Sheridan, New York vineyard. "We've been into grapes for a very long time and still continue to work on them today." Through the years they've seen a lot of changes but their motto has remained the same, "We strive to be the best that we can be. And when we reach that, then we try a little harder."
It's dedication and focus that's led Elizabeth and her family to be Welch's grower owners. For Elizabeth, it's believing what a cooperative can be with everyone working together to make the finest grapes possible. It's easy to see why Elizabeth's family has been part of the Welch's family for over 75 years. And why we'll be proud to have them as a Welch's grower owner for many years to come."
Tim Grow
Grandview, WA
"It's just a real thrilling event for me to see the work of my labour come across that belt in the form of Concord Grapes".
Tim Grow's favorite Welch's memory is helping his grandpa with the harvest when he was a young boy. He loved spreading out the grape boxes and driving their tractor down the rows of grapes and then bringing their harvest to Welch's. For Tim, "It was a big deal, still is."
Today that love of farming Concord Grapes for Welch's remains unchanged. "It's the ability to walk into almost any store in the United States and see a Welch's label and know some of my grapes are in those bottles. It's amazing for me." Tim's motto is, "Just do your best everyday." For him, that means growing the finest Concord Grapes for Welch's. For Welch's, it means offering only the highest quality products to your family."
Vern Rambo
Bridgeman, MI
"I really appreciate the respect that the name has and how much people look up to the Welch's brand".
For Vern Rambo growing grapes is a family affair. After all, he and his family have been working their Bridgman, Michigan vineyard for over 60 years. "I'm in a family business with two brothers and a sister and we're a pretty strong cooperative people."
Along with his brothers and sister, Vern relies on other family members to pitch in with their vineyard as they strive to make the best fruit for Welch's. According to Vern his motivation is simple, "Pride." For Vern knowing what Welch's means to the consumer is important. And when grapes from his farm wear the Welch's label, it means he's one of the best. Being the best is exactly what you can expect from Welch's.
