NVG Programs | Annual Pruning Contest

Pruning Contest 2008

SKIES CLEAR FOR ANNUAL NAPA PRUNING CONTEST

Winners Take Home Over $1,400 plus prizes

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The Napa Valley Grapegrowers held the 7th annual Napa County Pruning Contest in Yountville today, where over 50 farmworkers challenged each otherÕs art, skill, and speed at pruning Napa Valley vineyards. After the contest, everyone enjoyed fresh tacos complements of Hudson Vineyards. Four winners took home over $1,400 in cash winnings, and armfuls of tools, clothing, and other prizes. The winners were: 1st Place - Jesus Juarez of Moulds Family Vineyards; 2nd Place - Gerardo Gonzales of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars; 3rd Place - Juan Gallegos of Usibelli Vineyards; and 4th Place went to Francisco Alfaro of Pina Vineyard Management.

The prizes were as follows: 1st Place - $600 plus pruning shears, saw, and electric pruning shears; 2nd Place - $400 plus shears, loppers, hand saw and a $50 grocery store gift certificate; 3rd Place - $200 plus shears and a $50 grocery store gift certificate; and $100 plus shears and a $50 grocery store gift certificate for 4th place. Additionally, the NVG encourages winners' employees to match their cash prizes. All contestants received a sunhat from Pruning Contest premier sponsor, Central Valley Builders Supply, and winners received beautiful winter jackets complements of California Grapevine Nursery.

Contest Committee Chair Mary Maher noted that "The Pruning Contest is a great way to let the world know how important farmworkers are to the quality reputation of Napa Valley vineyards. The committee, judges, timers, and sponsors support this event because we all believe in highlighting and honoring the contributions of our farmworkers".

This year's contest was made possible by the generous contributions of: Central Valley Builders Supply, A & J Vineyard Supply, California Grapevine Nursery, California Grower Foundation, Crop Care Associates, Harlan Estate, Hudson Vineyards, Lodi Irrigation, Mike Wolf Vineyard Services, Pahlmeyer Vineyards, Piña Vineyard Management, Premiere Viticultural Services, Rainbow Ag Services, Snowden Vineyards, Sunridge Nurseries, Swanson Vineyards, Umpqua Bank, Vineyard Industry Products, and Walsh Vineyard Management.