A True California Heritage Variety!

In 1898, George C. Payne noted how a volunteer seedling on his property had grown into a reliable producer of high quality walnuts.  The Payne variety went on to play a major part in the growth of California’s walnut industry; first as a major producer in coastal regions, particularly Santa Barbara County, the birthplace of California’s walnut industry, and then as the parent of varieties bred to succeed in California’s Central Valley.

Today, over 83% of California’s commercial acreage is planted in varieties that are descendants of the Payne, but only 1% remains planted with Paynes.  We think the original tastes the best and hope you will agree!