11th Annual Napa County Pruning Contest

THE 11^TH ANNUAL NAPA VALLEY PRUNING CONTEST –
THE SUN SHINES BRIGHTLY ON OUR FARMWORKERS

photo by Robb McDonough

The 11^th Annual Napa County Pruning Contest was held in Yountville on February 9, under sunny skies where the industry’s best vineyard workers challenged each other’s art, skill, and speed at pruning Napa Valley vineyards.  After the contest, everyone enjoyed an abundant lunch provided by Villa Corona.  Four winners took home over $1,300 in cash winnings and an armful of tools, clothing, and other prizes. 

Congratulations to the Winners!

1^ST      Jose Juan Tellez – Gallegos Vineyards
2^ND     Sergio Rubio – Bettinelli Vineyards
3^RD     Jesus Juarez – Moulds Family Vineyard
4^TH    Jorge Anguiano – Komes Ranch

Prizes were as follows: 1^st Place – $600 plus a custom trophy buckle, pruning shears, holster, saw, winter coat, gift certificates; 2^nd Place – $400 plus shears, hand saw, holster, gift certificates; 3^rd Place – $200 plus shears and holster, gift certificates; and $100 plus shears and holster for 4^th place.  All contestants took home a bag and t-shirt compliments of Central Valley Building Supply.  Additionally, the NVG encourages winners’ employees to match their cash prizes.

 Contest Chair Mary Maher of Harlan Estate noted that “Today was one of the all-time great days in the Napa Valley.  We have so much to celebrate here in the vineyard: beautiful landscape coupled with a skilled workforce focused on quality and a community of people who recognize and support it”.