McLaren Vale Pruning Championship

James Hook with the team at DJ's Growers brought back an old event from the past – The Annual Pruning Championship – as a feel good event to reward all of the workers who help produce the regions world famous wines.

Grape pruners raced cutting three panels of vines to see who was the quickest. Their work was then checked for accuracy, and time penalties were given for mistakes. The winner was the competitor with the best adjusted time.

The event was last run c. 1972 and has a long history going back to the 19th Century. Our judges for this years event were Lyndon Elliott & Fred Osmond each with 50 years of experience.

Congratulations to the winner of the McLaren Vale Pruning Championship, Jeremy O'Donald - picture above finishing. Jeremy won, both his heat and the final, with his combination of speed and accuracy.

In a notable effort Dan Wright - pictured above - from Dog Ridge wines and Swell Brewery came third.