Wonderful Citrus recently signed a long-term lease on 846 continuous acres within California's Central Coast region to grow their new brand of Non-GMO Wonderful Seedless Lemons. The land is being leased from the multigenerational landowners; the Bianchi Family based in Soledad. The Mendrin Group represented the Bianchi Family in offering the Bianchi Big Bench to a select group of prospective tenants through a confidential bid process.
Bianchi Big Bench
A rare find
"We are very excited to be selected as the new long-term tenant for the Bianchi Family and produce our new Non-GMO Wonderful Seedless Lemons in this special citrus growing area," said Zak Laffite, President, Wonderful Citrus. "The unique micro-climates in the region provide optimum timing for lemon harvests to complement our year-round program of Wonderful Seedless Lemons. The Bianchi Big Bench property is a large single block of land along the Central Coast, a very rare find."
Historic property
"The elevated terraced benches within the Santa Lucia Highlands are home to renown vineyards, wineries, and also the commercial production of lemon and avocado orchards. The 846 acre Bianchi Big Bench is a historic Salinas Valley property easily viewed from Highway 101 between Soledad and Gonzales, it's the largest flat bench on the west side," stated Al and Josh Mendrin of The Mendrin Group, exclusive advisors to the Bianchi Family in the transaction.
"For decades the Big Bench served the Bianchi family well, grazing herds of cattle and dry farming hay through peril, bounty and drought. In the early 1990's, the decision was made to put the Bench into grapes and Robert Mondavi planted vines where cattle once roamed. Now, it's time for The Big Bench to go through yet another evolution," stated Nicola Bianchi of the Bianchi Family.
Josh A. Mendrin
The Mendrin Group
Tel: (+1) 559.448.7085
josh@mendrins.com
www.mendrins.com