WineGB National Pruning Competition 2026
Calling All Vineyard Workers!!!!
Are you ready to showcase your pruning skills and compete against the best vineyard workers in the UK? The highly anticipated WineGB National Pruning Competition is back, and this year it’s set to take place on Friday 6 March 2026 (10:00-15:00) at Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey.
Why Pruning Matters
Pruning might look straightforward, but it’s an art that requires precision, expertise, and years of practice. Every cut influences the vineyard’s productivity, vine health, and ultimately, the quality of the wine produced. Poor pruning decisions can have long-term consequences, reducing yield and even weakening the vine. That’s why skilled vineyard workers play a crucial role in the UK’s thriving wine industry.
A Celebration of Vineyard Workers
Vineyard workers are the backbone of wine production, braving all weather conditions to ensure the vines are well-maintained. The WineGB National Pruning Competition is all about celebrating their dedication, skill, and hard work.
Event organiser James Dodson of VineWorks shares his thoughts on the importance of this competition:
“The competition is a fun way to acknowledge the incredible contribution vineyard workers make to our industry. Becoming a proficient pruner takes years of practice—it’s both physically and mentally demanding, with each vine needing careful individual assessment. Recognising the expertise of our vineyard workers is essential to maintaining the high standards of the UK wine sector.”
How to Get Involved
Think you’ve got what it takes? Whether you’re an experienced vineyard worker or just starting out, this is a fantastic opportunity to test your skills, learn from others, and connect with fellow professionals in the industry. Plus, it promises to be a great day of friendly competition and camaraderie!
The competition is for teams and individuals. Judges will look for quality of work, cane selection and speed.
- £45 per teams (3 people) for WineGB members / £75 for non-members
- £15 per individual for WineGB members / £25 for non-members
- £5 observer tickets are available (limited space so book in advance)
Lunch is included.
Register at the WineGB website - https://winegb.co.uk/pruning-competition/
Many thanks to the event sponsors Bekaert, Gripple, Hadley Group, NFU Mutual (Haywards Heath), Vineyard Magazine and VineWorks for their kind support. A very big thank you to NP Seymour for providing the prizes, and Denbies Wine Estate for the use of the venue.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting event. Sharpen those shears, and we’ll see you at Denbies Wine Estate on 6th March!
