The largest raisin vineyard in Fresno county or in the State of
California, as well as in the world, is owned by A. B. Butler. The
vineyard is situated about three miles southeast of Fresno, on the sink
of Red Bank. It contains about six hundred acres, nearly all of which is
planted in Muscat grapes of the Gordo Blanco and Alexandria varieties,
and a few Sultanas. The vines are planted at various distances, such as
ten by sixteen feet, and six by twelve feet, etc. The pruning is all
“low standard,” except the Sultanas, which are staked four feet high.
The only trees in the vineyard consist of two or three avenues of fig
and poplar interspersed with fan palms, while some poplar trees line the
outside boundaries of the vineyard. The first vines were set in 1879,
and since that time the planting has been carried on until the whole six
hundred acres are now in vines in full bearing. Mr. Butler himself
superintends the general work of the vineyard, and during the packing
time carefully watches the packing. The latter is accomplished in a
large building containing packing-rooms, storerooms, steam dryer,
separator, box factory and storeroom for labels. The dryer has a
capacity of fifty tons charge of green fruit, and is considered one of
the best in the State. There are two dryers, the large one just
mentioned and one smaller, of twenty-five tons capacity, situated in the
center of the vineyard. The Butler raisins are celebrated all over the
continent, and are most excellently packed. The labels used are very
fine and are manufactured to order in France. The principal brand packed
is “Butler’s Cluster Raisins.”
Mr. Butler acquired much experience in Spain, where he spent
considerable time studying the raisin business. The output of the
vineyard has been as high as one hundred thousand boxes per year.
Similar to the other vineyards in this district, the soil of the Butler
vineyard is among the very best in the county, all now subirrigated. Mr.
Butler is the largest packer in the State, and his raisins have gained a
continental reputation. As regards Spanish methods of packing, Mr.
Butler is better posted than any other packer in the State. An
interesting essay on Mr. Butler’s experiences in California and in Spain
is published in monthly _California_ for March, 1890. The crop this year
promises to be of extra quality.