Local vineyard pruners in action at the Gisborne Silver Secateur Awards held at Ashwood Estate/ Makaraka racecourse.
Local vineyard pruners in action at the Gisborne Silver Secateur Awards held at Ashwood Estate/ Makaraka racecourse.
Vineyard pruners sorted out the best from the rest in a day of skill, teamwork and friendly rivalry at the annual Gisborne Silver Secateur Awards held at Ashwood Estate/Makaraka racecourse.
The event attracted more than 45 entrants from vineyards across the region.
Organised and co-ordinated by LeaderBrand viticulturemanager Kyle Mason, in association with Gisborne Winegrowers, the awards offered pruners an opportunity to test their skills.
“Pruning plays the most important role in the vineyard. A great pruner goes a long way to determining the vineyard’s yield and sets the vine up for the coming seasons,” Mason said.
“The competition has been a Gisborne tradition for more than 30 years and is always a popular fixture on the viticulture calendar.”
“The awards are a great opportunity to thank pruners for their hard work and give them a moment in the spotlight,” Mason said. “There’s always some friendly rivalry, but in the end everyone enjoys coming together to celebrate at the prizegiving with family and friends.”
Women’s champion Kiri Aupouri, of Thompson's Horticulture, receives her trophy and prize from Fruitfed Supplies technical field representative Phil Egan (left) and LeaderBrand viticulture manager Kyle Mason at the Gisborne Silver Secateur Awards.
