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Abstract

A method for producing natural, sun-dried raisins from the Thompson seedless grape variety in vineyards located in the Central Valley of California, or similarly situated vineyards, having about 4000 to 5100 degree days during the growing and drying season and an annual yearly rainfall of between about 10 to 12 inches. Rows (2) of grape vines (4) are grown at the vineyard site. The canes are trained so to create divided canopies along the rows of grape vines. The divided canopy has fruiting canes (26) primarily on one side of the row and replacement canes (28) separated from the fruiting canes, typically on the other side of the row. Once the grapes are sufficiently mature, the fruiting canes are cut (34) adjacent the crowns (32) of the grape vines. The grapes (30), still hanging from the cut fruiting canes, are left to dry naturally in the sun to create natural raisins. When sufficiently dry, the raisins are harvested directly from the cut canes. This method eliminates the need for drying grapes on drying trays or rolls of paper on the ground when producing natural, sun-dried grapes.

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