Our production · Samarkand
Every step of our production is monitored, from the first spring pruning to the final check before shipment. One season, eight stages, filmed at our own vineyards and plant.
Stage 01 of 08 · Spring
Each spring, our agronomists prune the vines to remove weak and unproductive shoots and support healthy, balanced grape development.
Stage 02 of 08 · June
In June, selected leaves are removed to improve sunlight exposure and airflow around the grape clusters, supporting even ripening and sugar development.
Stage 03 of 08 · August
In August, vine tips are trimmed to help maintain balanced vegetative growth as the grapes approach maturity.
Stage 04 of 08 · Late summer
Harvesting begins by hand once the Sultana grapes reach the required maturity and sugar content, no earlier than August. Each bunch is picked individually to minimise damage and preserve quality.
Stage 05 of 08 · After harvest
Sultana Sun-Dried is dried in the open Samarkand air, on trays raised 35 to 40 cm above the ground. Black raisins are dried in the shade, and golden raisins with a sulphur treatment.
Stage 06 of 08 · Processing
After drying, the raisins pass through a four-stage cleaning and sorting process using equipment from Tomra, Bigtem and VISYS, followed by X-ray inspection and metal detection.
Stage 07 of 08 · Quality control
Raw materials and finished batches are tested in our own laboratory in Samarkand, and by independent laboratories such as TLR International Laboratories in the Netherlands and Eurofins in Germany.
Stage 08 of 08 · Export ready
Certified raisins are packed into branded cartons with food-grade polyethylene liners, in 10 or 12.5 kg formats, or into 15 kg plastic boxes, and shipped by sea or road container to buyers worldwide.
Export ready
Every batch leaves Samarkand tested, certified and packed, by sea or road container, to buyers worldwide.
The film
The vineyards, the drying yard, the line and the people who run them, in one film.
Equipment
Optical sorting, X-ray inspection, metal detection, vacuum separation and washing, from established equipment manufacturers.
TomraLaser sorterLaser-optical sorting that identifies and removes foreign material by colour, size and structure.
VISYSSecondary laser sorterA second optical sorting stage separates remaining foreign material and product defects before final inspection.
X-ray inspection for dense foreign bodies such as stone, glass and metal that optical sorting may not catch.
High-sensitivity metal detection as the final control point before packing.
BigtemVacuum separatorA vacuum system separates the raisins after drying and removes lightweight foreign material before sorting.
BigtemWashing and vibrating tablesMulti-stage washing and vibrating-table cleaning removes stems and surface impurities before final sorting.
Quality control
Tested in our own laboratory in Samarkand, and by independent laboratories such as TLR International Laboratories in the Netherlands and Eurofins in Germany.
Every incoming grape batch is analysed before production begins, in our own laboratory and by independent laboratories.
Our specialists monitor each stage throughout production for consistency, hygiene and process compliance.
Each finished batch is tested for moisture and relevant chemical contaminants before packing.
Food safety certified to FSSC 22000, certified as an organic operator and exporter under EU Organic, and assessed through a SMETA audit.
Independent laboratories
Beyond our own laboratory in Samarkand, raw material and finished batches are tested by independent laboratories: TLR International Laboratories in the Netherlands and Eurofins in Germany. Lab analysis reports are available on request.
TLR International LaboratoriesRidderkerk, the Netherlands
EurofinsGermany
