Pruners sharpening swords for Silver Secateurs battle

Onosai Asiasi displays his pruning skills under the watchful eyes of judges at a Silver Secateur Awards competition. The 2023 edition is being held on Monday.Herald file picture

The region’s best grape vine pruners will descend on Ashwood Estate Racecourse at Makaraka on Monday to compete in the annual Gisborne Silver Secateur Awards.

The event was to have been staged yesterday but was postponed until Monday due to the bad weather.

Organisers anticipate more than 50 entrants across the dozen vineyards in the region.

The awards are organised and run by LeaderBrand’s viticulture manager Kyle Mason.

“It’s a fantastic event and an opportunity for pruners in the region to test their skills against their peers,” he said.

“Pruning is the most important role in the vineyard.

“In fact, a great pruner goes a long way to determining the vineyards crop yield and sets the vine up for the coming seasons.”

The competition has been running for more than 30 years in various forms and is extremely popular in Gisborne, he said.

“The awards are also a chance for the Gisborne Winegrowers to recognise their team’s skill levels, and a really nice way to say thanks to their pruners for all the effort they put into their job.

“Plus, the pruners like to compare their skills in a fun afternoon with some friendly rivalry.

“Then after the competition, everyone gets to celebrate at the prizegiving with family and friends.”

The judges look for quality of work, cane selection and speed.

They will be tested on four canes of Sauvignon Blanc vines.

“Each competitor will be run through a set of activities including having to prune, strip, wrap, and tie the vines,” Mr Mason said.

The winners will be announced at the end of the day at an event hosted by Ashwood Estate.