El 4th Vineyard Pruning Competition of the Protected Designation of Origin Condado de Huelva The event once again brought together some of the region's most experienced pruners in Chucena, for a day in which the vineyard was the true star. This gathering, now firmly established on the industry calendar, served to recognize the skill of the winegrowers and, at the same time, to remind everyone that a good pruning It's much more than a seasonal job.
In this fourth edition, the competition has established itself as a meeting space for professionals, institutions and cooperativeswhere tradition and technical knowledge are mixed. pruning in vineyards and a vision for the future. Beyond the competitive aspect, the atmosphere was that of a day of camaraderie around the vineyard, marked by the exchange of experiences and an interest in learning and improving.
A benchmark competition for the vineyards of the County
The competition, organized by Regulatory Council of the PDO Condado de Huelva, was held on January 10, 2026 in the municipality of Chucena, on a vineyard estate known as The Little Corner of the Manzanilla RoadThe venue, provided for the occasion by the Nuestra Señora de la Estrella Cooperative, has become an emblematic location for the event. Surrounded by vineyards and with a strong winemaking tradition, this setting, surrounded by vines and with deep winemaking roots, has become a landmark for the competition.
In total, 25 winegrowers participated in the competition after being selected from more than 60 applicationsThis figure demonstrates the strong appeal the competition has gained among vineyard professionals in the Condado region. The preliminary selection process resulted in a diverse group of participants with varying levels of experience and backgrounds, ranging from veteran pruners to young people just starting out in the industry.
The organization emphasized the presence of young and female prunersThis is something that, in the eyes of the sector, is key to ensuring that vineyards remain a viable activity in the region. For the Regulatory Council, the involvement of new generations not only guarantees job succession but also brings fresh perspectives and ways of understanding viticulture.
The president of the Regulatory Council, Vicente PérezDuring the event, he emphasized that this competition reflects the organization's commitment to protecting the vineyards of the Huelva region and recognizing the daily work of those who cultivate them. He described the winegrowers as "true guardians of a shared heritage," underscoring that the vineyard is an integral part of the area's economic, social, and landscape identity.
In turn, the Secretary General of the Regulatory Council, Antonio IzquierdoHe emphasized that the initiative serves to highlight the expertise of farmers and reinforce the idea that agriculture is a respectable and promising career path. He noted that gatherings like this facilitate the exchange of techniques, foster mutual learning, and help keep the vineyard pruning profession alive.
Pruning as a strategic decision in the vineyard
One of the ideas that was repeated most often throughout the day is that Pruning is not a mechanical gesture nor a simple routine taskbut one of the most crucial decisions for the future of each grape variety. The technical director of the Regulatory Council and head of the competition, Carlos IbanezHe insisted that the type of pruning carried out determines the production, the quality of the grapes, and the longevity of the plant itself.
The format of the competition makes it clear that it goes far beyond seeing who finishes first. In fact, Speed took a back seat to the precision and balance of the cutsParticipants were asked to perform a complete pruning on a set number of vines, taking care of every detail to ensure that the plant was well-formed and ready for the next season.
El professional jury Each contestant was evaluated according to a series of very specific criteria. These included the balance between old wood and productive elements left for the next harvest, the cleanliness and uniformity of the cuts made, the correct orientation of the spurs according to the sap flow, and the number of productive buds preserved on each vine.
This technical approach reflects the idea that pruning should aim for a harmonious plant, capable of producing quality grapes without exhausting the vine or compromising its long-term health. For many of the attendees, the competition was an opportunity to closely observe different ways of interpreting pruning, compare methods and check how small nuances can influence the behavior of the vine.
During the assessments it became clear that a poorly planned pruning This can lead to problems of vegetative imbalance, wood diseases, or a significant reduction in future production, while a well-thought-out intervention It helps to stabilize the plant and guide its development season after season.
An expert jury and a detailed evaluation
The evaluation was carried out by a group of specialists with extensive experience in viticulture and direct knowledge of the county's vineyards. The jury consisted of Carlos Weiland, professor at the University of Huelva; Manuel Infante, former president of the Regulatory Council; agricultural engineers Pedro Clemente, Diego Bort and Antonio Contreras; and Víctor Núñez, technical advisor to the Regulatory Council..
His work was not limited to scoring quickly, but also included a thorough analysis of each pruned row. They went vine by vine, reviewing how the key decisions had been resolved: which arms had been retained, how the spurs had been distributed, and whether the number of buds left was consistent with the plant's capacity and the driving system.
According to the jury members, the objective was to reward balanced pruning, respectful of the vine's architecture and focused on qualityabove approaches that prioritize only the quantity of bunches. They also valued safety and the handling of tools, aspects that directly influence the efficiency of the work and the prevention of accidents in the field.
The presence of diverse profiles on the jury —from university to direct technical advice in vineyards— allowed for a greater contribution theoretical and practical perspectivesThis combination helped ensure that the final decisions were well-founded both from an agronomic point of view and from daily experience on vineyard farms.
At the end of the test, the judging committee agreed to highlight the high general level of the participants and the difficulty of establishing significant differences between many of the plots evaluated, which, in their opinion, demonstrates the degree of professionalization achieved by the winegrowers of the County of Huelva.
Generational change, institutional support and a vision for the future
The event featured a significant institutional presence, which wished to publicly support both the competition and the vineyard protected by the PDO. Andalusian Agency for Agricultural and Fisheries Management (AGAPA), its manager, Jose Carlos AlvarezHe emphasized the importance of making sound decisions to ensure that the hectares of vineyard that are still preserved in the province continue to have continuity over time.
Álvarez insisted that it is fundamental to work hand in hand with the administrations and the sector to keep the wine-growing landscape alive and to ensure that the Protected Designation of Origin continues to be a tool for differentiation in the markets. He noted that this quality designation has become a recognized guarantee, capable of opening commercial doors and strengthening the image of Huelva wines both within and outside of Andalusia.
El Mayor of Chucena, Antonio RubioHe expressed particular satisfaction that his municipality was hosting this edition of the competition, emphasizing that it is a "land of vineyards and wine" where viticulture is an integral part of daily life. He took the opportunity to highlight the enthusiasm with which young people are once again looking to agriculture as a viable career path, provided there are conditions of profitability and sufficient support.
On the same line the President of the Nuestra Señora de la Estrella Cooperative of Chucena, Francisco Verawho emphasized the need for vineyards to be economically viable. In his opinion, making viticulture attractive is key to stemming the exodus of young people to other areas and to maintaining activity in towns historically linked to wine.
In addition to municipal and regional support, the organization of the competition had the collaboration of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Sustainable Development —through AGAPA—, the Huelva Provincial Council, The Caja Rural del Sur Foundation, own Nuestra Señora de la Estrella de Chucena cooperative and the company Almonte Agro-Gardensamong other entities. This network of support highlights the shared interest in ensuring the survival of the vineyard and the economic fabric that surrounds it.
Awards, winners and recognition for the profession of tree pruner
The awards ceremony served to recognize the pruners who best combined technique, precision, and vineyard knowledge in this edition. First place went to Miguel Ángel Pichardo Sánchezwhose work was praised as an example of balance and cleanliness in pruning. Second place went to Diego Márquez Fernández, followed by Juan Romero Moro, which completed the podium.
The list of awards was completed with the Fourth place for Pedro José Delgado Villarán and the fifth place for Manuel Pérez MacíasAll of them winegrowers with close ties to the vineyards of the Huelva region. The ranking was very close, which, according to the jury, demonstrates that the average level of the contestants was exceptionally high.
The top five finishers received state-of-the-art professional toolsThese initiatives are designed to improve working conditions during pruning and promote more efficient and safer intervention in the vineyard. Furthermore, the awards were intended to be useful for future seasons, reinforcing the practical dimension of the competition.
The Regulatory Council wanted to ensure that no participant left empty-handed, so they were all given a gift. The lot consists of a bottle of wine from the Condado de Huelva PDO, a pair of scissors, a saw, and a certificate of completion.In this way, the effort and commitment of each winegrower who participated in the test was publicly recognized, regardless of the result obtained.
Amid relaxed conversation and mutual congratulations, the awards ceremony became a moment to highlight the vineyard pruner's job as a specialized professionwhich requires experience, technical expertise, and the ability to adapt to each plot of land. Many participants agreed that competitions like this help to highlight work that often goes unnoticed, despite being crucial to the final quality of the wine.
With this fourth edition of the Vineyard Pruning Competition, the The Regulatory Council of the PDO Condado de Huelva reinforces its commitment to quality, the professionalization of the sector and the defense of the vineyard as a key element of the agricultural, economic and social heritage of the territoryThe combination of high technical standards, institutional support, and active participation of winegrowers from different generations demonstrates that the future of the Condado vineyards is built at the vine foot, shears in hand, and with an eye toward the future. upcoming harvests.
