Grape pruning skills ‘another big step up’

Selina Nahu from Kaitere Farms at Patutahi using the skills that saw her judged top female pruner at Monday’s Silver Secateurs contest.

Thompson’s Horticulture from Gisborne and Ōpōtiki had a great day at the annual Silver Secateurs grapevine pruning competition at the Ashwood Estate vineyards at Makaraka on Monday.

The company’s pruners came away with a stack of prizes.

They had two teams in the teams section of the event, and finished first and third.

And one of their pruners, ‘Oped’ Vano Song from Vanuatu, won the champion top pruner’prize.

Selina Nahu from Kaitere Farms at Patutahi was the top female pruner, and an employee from LeaderBrand won the Novice prize.

More than 50 pruners from across the district took part.

“We got a really good entry and the quality of pruning was really top quality,” said competition organiser, LeaderBrand’s viticulture manager Kyle  Mason.

The judges looked for quality of work, cane selection and speed, using the sauvignon blanc vines at Ashwood Estate.

Contestants pruned, stripped, wrapped and then tied their vines.

“The standard was high,” Mr Mason said.

“We have seen the standard rise every year.

“This year was another big step up and we’re really happy with how the day went.”