to eventually settle in Fresno County, California where he joined other Croatians to work and farm. In 1921 he married a young woman named Margaret who was from his hometown in Croatia. Steve and Margaret purchased their own 160-acre farm near Delano. While eldest son, Jack, served in WWII. Matt and Steve attended high school and helped on the family farm. To assist the war effort Pandol only grew
potatoes. In 1949, the family was finally able to plant their first grape vineyard. The new company "Pandol & Sons" was formed expanding the family business from a grower to a marketer and shipper. To better serve their customers it was decided that a specialized marketing company was needed and in 1957, Pandol Bros., Inc. From this new entity, direct sales to retail chains were launched plus they continued with traditional shipments to auctions. In 1960, the three brothers took complete responsibility for the Pandol & Sons and Pandol Brothers Inc. operations. In 1961, the three men loaded one of the industries first East Coast bound refrigerated trucks. The 70's were exciting as Pandol began the importation of fruit from Chile, developed inroads for Mexican fruit and exporting apples and cherries. By the end of the 1970's members of the third generation of the family became involved and Pandol Brothers hired their first managers from outside the company. The company continued to grow with more third generation family members joining. The company added a sales office in the state of Washington. The family increased development of crops including kiwis, Asian pears, and persimmons while never losing the primary focus of juicy table grapes. The nineties became a transition period from second to third generation of Pandol farmers. Grape production increased and the company became involved in innovative grape breeding programs. Soon after members of the fourth generation entered the organization. Today the Pandol organization continues as a grower, shipper, importer, exporter and marketer with its headquarters in Delano, CA.
