9th Annual Sonoma Pruning Contests Begin Jan.21; Finals to be Held on Feb. 29th
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Larry Levine 707-522-5861 larry.levine@sonomawinegape.org
9th ANNUAL SONOMA COUNTY PRUNING CONTESTS BEGIN JAN. 21; FINALS TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 29
January 11, 2008, Santa Rosa, Calif.—The 9th annual Sonoma County Pruning Championship will begin with regional contests on January 21, 2007, and continue through February 8. First and second place winners from each Sonoma County American Viticulture Area (AVA) will advance to the Sonoma County Championship to be held on February 29 at SRJC Shone Farm as a “kickoff” to the inaugural “Sonoma in Spring” promotion (www.SonomaInSpring.com). Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. The contest is produced by the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (SCWC). All events begin at 10am and the public is welcome at no charge.
An additional youth pruning event will be held on Saturday, January 19 at SRJC Shone Farm. There will be classes for children 9 and under; 10-13; 14-15 and 16-19. The contest will be followed by the first annual Viticulture Challenge and lunch.
The schedule of AVA contests includes (all events begin at 10am and the public is invited to attend): Jan.19: Youth Contest at SRJC Shone Farm, 6225 Eastside Rd, Windsor. Jan. 21: Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance at Avellar Ranch, 977 Leveroni Rd, Sonoma. Jan. 22: Russian River ValleyWinegrowers at Sonoma-Cutrer Vine Hill Vineyards, 5625 Vine Hill Road, Sebastopol Jan. 23: Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley at Rued Vineyards, 3850 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. Feb. 5: Alexander Valley Winegrowers at Vimark Vineyards, 19500 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville. Feb. 8: Knights Valley, Newman Vineyard, 13145 Hwy 128, Calistoga Feb. 29: Finals at SRJC Shone Farm, 6225 Eastside Road, Forestville. (“Fiesta-style” lunch provided).
Vineyard employees interested in competing in the regional contests must have their employers submit entries to SCWC via fax to 707-522-5866 by noon the day before the contests. Entry forms can be found at the SCWC website at www.sonoma winegrape.org or by calling 707-522-5862.
“The purpose of these contests is to convey that the critical beginning of the 2008 harvest begins with the pruning in the vineyards during this time of year,” says Nick Frey, president of SCWC. “Plus, we want to recognize the skills of vineyard employees doing this important task.”
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission was established in 2006 as a non-profit marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. SCWC’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world. For more information about SCWC and its programs, visit www.sonomawinegrape.org #
Editor’s Note: Photos available, contact larry.levine@sonomawinegrape.org