Ken Macklin has been in the grape growing game for a quarter century, having started on a diversified farm organization in Delano. "After the original introduction I spent a significant amount of time operating leased vineyards in California's Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties," he said. "There was just something about the production of table grapes that caught my interest."

His company, H.R. Macklin & Sons, grows 1,940 acres of wine grapes, prunes, olives, pistachios and table grapes. The company also oversees 9,500 acres of almond production and 4,500 acres dedicated to raising cattle. In addition, Macklin is an agribusiness servicing company consisting of a mortgage loan department, a farm appraisal department, real estate sales, farm management and crop consulting.

Ken calls his grape production "a personal thing." The table grapes he grows surround the Macklin family's residence in Visalia, CA and are shed-packed on the property, so they are quite literally close to home and heart.

For the last decade, fruit grown by Ken Macklin CA has been essential to Oppenheimer's consistent supply. In 2003, Oppenheimer will exclusively market about 20,000 cartons of Autumn Royals and 40,000 cartons of Flame Seedless grown on his San Joaquin Valley ranch July through September.

For the first time in 2003, Ken's grapes are being packed in the Oppenheimer box with the Macklin name printed prominently on the end panel.

"My grapes are in a box that has my family's name on the label," he said. "I take great pride in the product and the value that someone is receiving. Not only in the grape growing business but also in our agribusiness operations, the most important part is customer satisfaction. We don't get paid until the job is done. We want to make sure that customers will want to re-order or re-enlist our services next time they are in need."

San Joaquin Valley grapes benefit from the region's favorable climate and soils, according to Ken. "It is no secret that the San Joaquin Valley is one of the most productive areas on the face of the earth. Our climate enhances everything we do in agriculture here."

Late spring is a critical time for grape production in central California - a time of rapid growth and bloom. Ken is up early each day surveying the vineyard.

"Particular timing is required to ensure a significant shatter at bloom to enhance the berry size and overall quality of the season's crop," he said. "Obviously, we hope the bloom is consistent throughout the vineyard, but typically it varies from vine to vine and within each bunch, so a lot of time each day consists of walking the fields."

Ken says that the Autumn Royals do not require the same intense management that Flames do however. "Staying well-connected with the vineyard from May through August is critical for high-quality table grapes."

Ken and his wife Kathy have two sons: Heath who is 19 and Chad, 18. Both boys have grown up on the farm and have worked in summer harvest operation for the last seven or eight years. As a family they enjoy team roping, honing their skills in an arena and practice facility at the ranch. Heath and Chad have both achieved NCAA football scholarships. Heath will be a sophomore at Sacramento State, while his brother will wear University of Washington purple and gold this fall. (And will have an avid fan club in Seattle among the Oppenheimer team!)

"It is my hope that after college they will return home and be an active part of our company's future," Ken said.

The Mackins also enjoy fresh water and deep-sea fishing. "It's been a life's passion, and I would expect to continue fishing long after my grape production days are gone," Ken said.

It's a safe bet, however, that Ken will have a bunch of his favorite Flame Seedless grapes in the cooler on the boat, as he keeps the big one from getting away.