Pruning winner

Javier Diaz, with Sonoma-Cutrer, was the winner of the Sonoma Valley portion of the Sonoma County Pruning Contest Friday. The competition, sponsored by the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, attracted 22 participants to the Valley competition. Diaz and second-place winner Alberto Avina with Chateau St. Jean, will compete against pruners from other contests in the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Knight’s Valley in the championship Feb. 22, at Shone Farm in Forestville. Rounding out the Valley winners, Atenedor Paz with Kunde Family Winery was third while Alberto Cardenas with St. Francis Winery was fourth.

Bill Hoban/Index-Tribune