About Us
Some Cool Facts
Numbers Speak For Themselves
Over The Last Decade
The Beginning
In 1986, at just 19 years old, David Verdegaal and his brothers started a small hulling and shelling operation in Modesto with a simple goal: provide dependable service to local growers through hard work, honesty, and attention to quality. What began as a modest family-run operation was built from hands-on experience and a willingness to do whatever it took to get the job done right.
Winton Way
In 1996, David Verdegaal and his brother Peter Verdegaal expanded their operation by establishing Winton Way Shellers. As California’s almond industry continued to grow, the new facility allowed them to significantly increase production capacity, improve processing efficiency, and better serve the needs of growers throughout the region.
Built from years of hands-on farming and hulling experience, the expansion marked an important step forward for the family operation—combining practical industry knowledge with a continued focus on dependable service and long-term growth
Golden Valley Almond Hulling
In 2004, Golden Valley Almond Hulling & Shelling, Inc. was established through a strategic partnership between David Verdegaal and Gold Hills Nut Company. Together, they purchased an aging facility in Delhi that required extensive rebuilding, equipment upgrades, and years of hands-on work to transform into a modern hulling and shelling operation.
Drawing on decades of farming and processing experience, David played a major role in the redesign and construction of the facility—working directly on the layout, production flow, and expansion of the operation to improve efficiency and increase processing capacity for the growing California almond industry.
Next Generation
In 2021, Clay Verdegaal joined Golden Valley Almond Hulling & Shelling, Inc. after attending California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. In 2023, he spent a season in Australia helping operate an almond hulling facility, gaining additional industry experience and perspective abroad.
Since joining the company, Clay has focused on expansion projects utilizing CAD design, metal fabrication, and plant modernization, including the installation of advanced color sorting systems for inshell almonds and kernels. Along the way, he has also begun building strong relationships with peers throughout the almond industry and looks forward to continuing to bring value, innovation, and quality to the company’s future.