Casimiro Zaragoza of Joseph Phelps Vineyards wins the 20th annual Napa Valley Pruning Contest!

The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation celebrated its 20th Annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Saturday, February 5. It was a beautiful day, as 90 contestants displayed speed and technique in what is considered the most prestigious competition for Napa Valley’s vineyard professionals.

“It’s incredible celebrating 20 years of the Napa County Pruning Contest! Participants are passionate about improving their skills each year and competing against their peers,” said Rolando Sanchez, General Manager for Walsh Vineyards Management and member of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation Education Committee. “The Pruning Contest is an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to high-quality, Napa Valley grape growing.”

“The Napa County Pruning Contest highlights the talent, skill and precision of our local vineyard workforce” said Arnulfo Solorio, Partner at Silverado Farming Company and Vice President of the FWF, “and I’m ready for another 20 years.”

During the main event, each of the contestants pruned five vines in the day’s preliminary competition. Those with the highest scores went on to the final round, which produced the winners: 4 in the women’s division and 4 in the men’s division.

Men’s Division Winners:
1st Place: Casimiro Zaragoza, Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2nd Place: Agustín Arias, Atlas Vineyard Management -
3rd Place: Hector Rodríguez, St. Supery Estate Vineyards
4th Place: Lorenzo Hernández Aquino, Walsh Vineyards Management

Women’s Division Winners:
1st Place: Erika López, Renteria Vineyard Management
2nd Place: Verónica Medina Reyes Bayview Vineyards
3rd Place: Ana Mejia, Trefethen Family Vineyards
4th Place: Rosa Martínez, Bettinelli Vineyards

Information provided by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation press release.

Image: Sam Jones, Napa Register