Napa County Pruning Contest

2025 Napa County Pruning Contest

The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation will celebrate its 23rd Annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

The Napa County pruning contest is the ultimate showcase of talent, skill, and precision. Scoring is weighted for technique and quality, allowing contestants to demonstrate their dedication to high-quality, Napa Valley grape growing.

Don’t miss this special community building event that includes live broadcasting from KVON/MegaMix radio, lunch from El Muchacho Alegre, and resources from our community organizations.

Registration to compete is due by January 31, 2025. Each company may register up to three women and up to three men.

Rain date is February 15th.

Registration Form

Special Thanks to our Host!

Scoring

Rules in Spanish
Rules in English

2024 Prizes

All contestants will receive a black, leather FELCO holster.

Top scoring men and women will both receive the following prize packages:

Top Prize Package

$1,200
Pruning contest champion belt buckle by Max Lang Custom Buckles
FELCO Champion Jacket
$250 gift card from Silicon Valley Bank
$100 gift card from Sunbelt Rentals
Central Valley tools and supplies
Napa Valley wine

2nd Place Prize Package

$800
$200 gift card from Silicon Valley Bank
$75 gift card from Sunbelt Rentals
Central Valley tools and supplies
Napa Valley wine

3rd Place Prize Package

$600
$150 gift card from Silicon Valley Bank
$50 gift card from Sunbelt Rentals
Central Valley tools and supplies
1.5L 2014 Larkmead Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

4th Place Prize Package

$400
$100 gift card from Silicon Valley Bank
$50 gift card from Sunbelt Rental
Central Valley tools and supplies
Napa Valley wine

Sponsor the Pruning Contest

Pruning Contest Sponsorship:If you would like to support this long-standing tradition of celebrating our vineyard workforce, connect with Jill Durfee, Farmworker Foundation Program Manager, or fill out this form.

Press

"Napa Valley farmworkers gather for annual pruning contest"
- Danielle Wilde, Napa Valley Register

PHOTOS: 21st annual Napa County Pruning Contest
- Nick Otto, Napa Valley Register

Past Champions Spotlight

Manuel Téllez
Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Leer / Read

"It is nice to participate among peers from different companies. It's good to see how each person works, and you don't lose anything by attending the Pruning Contest, and giving yourself a chance."

Veronica Medina Reyes
Bayview Vineyards

Leer / Read

“I would tell [future contestants] not to go with the mentality that they are going to win but to show up to represent how hardworking they are and how they perform their work in the vineyard.”

Araceli Marin
Walsh Vineyard Management

Leer / Read

“When you start pruning, first you must look at your line - don’t go in right away. Look, stop, and try to do the best you can.”