Alexander Valley Pruning Contest Coming Up — Now, With Women

The Alexander Valley Winegrowers group, which oversees all the grape-growing activity in the valley northeast of Healdsburg, is hosting their local grapevine pruning contest this Feb. 13, aka Valentine’s Eve, for the 24th year. All workers at Alexander Valley vineyards are invited to enter the contest; the deadline to enter is Feb. 9. And this year, for the first time, female pruners will get their own separate contest following the men’s competition at Hoot Owl Creek Vineyards. “There are women who work in our vineyards too and we want to support and highlight their hard work as well,” event organizers say. “In holding two separate contests, we hope more women will be encouraged to come out and participate.” A rep for the winegrowers group tells me over email that one woman did compete with the men last year. “She didn’t win, but she was bold enough to try,” the rep says. As of Thursday, only two women pruners had signed up for the 2024 competition, and “we need at least 5 to 6 to make it a contest,” she says. “Fingers crossed!” There is one other annual pruning contest at the county level, called the Sonoma County Pruning Championship — and that one, too, just opened up a women’s division for the first time last year. Here’s some more info about the one in Alexander Valley this month: “Originally conceived as a competition among Sonoma County appellations in 1999, Alexander Valley Winegrowers has proudly upheld this tradition for 24 years, standing as the sole appellation with a dedicated regional pruning contest. … Industry and community leaders are invited to attend to support the participants. The contest will be followed by an awards ceremony and casual lunch in the vineyards in Alexander Valley.” (Source: Alexander Valley Winegrowers & Wine Industry Advisor & Press Democrat; paywall)