104 Napa Valley farmworkers compete in 16th annual vineyard pruning awards

February in North Coast Wine County often is pruning time, and when the winegrowing region’s viticultural trade groups recognize the best of the best among their vineyard crews.

First to bestow honors, despite heavy rain and muddy vineyard rows, was Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation. They held the 16th annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Feb. 8, with 86 men and 18 women competing.

At the Napa Valley event, each of the 104 contestants pruned five vines in the preliminary competition. Those with the highest scores proceeded to the final round, which produced four winners in the women’s division and four in the men’s. Alfredo Pedroza, chairman of the Napa County Board of Supervisors, presented the awards.

The winners took home more than $4,500 in cash all together plus tools, clothing, gift cards and other gifts. Handmade silver belt buckles were given to the first-place winners. Employers typically match the cash prize winnings.

“I am very proud to celebrate our farmworkers and acknowledge their contributions to our Valley,” Pedroza said. “Today’s pruning competition once again showed the skill and talent of our farmworkers.”

All contestants were Napa County residents and full-time employees. They volunteered to compete and were paid regular wages for the day. Many had successfully competed in internal competitions within their own companies prior to arriving to the countywide contest.

Top event sponsors were Central Valley Builders Supply and Nemerever Vineyards.