LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Saturday, March 2, marked the most attended “Pruning and Pastries” event in Six Sigma Ranch’s history.  

Nine professional pruners left nothing on the table, competing for speed and accuracy to win the grand prize of $500 for first place, $250 for second, and $100 for third along with gift certificates from local sponsor, Kelseyville Lumber.   

The pro-judges were Glenn McGourty, PhD, UC Davis; Broc Zoller,  PhD from Pear Doctor; and Brodie McCarthy from Gallo, formerly Snow’s Lake Vineyard.

For the first time ever there was a tie for first place leading to a “prune-off” which led to even more heart-beating excitement.  

Six Sigma Ranch is happy to announce the following 2013 winners: Carlos Moscaul from Beckstoffer Vineyards finished in first place, Gabriel Martinez from Bella Vista Farming Co. took second and Ruben Perez also from Bella Vista placed third.

This event also served as an educational opportunity for the community at large.

Winemaker Matt Hughes instructed a group of anxious “grape growers in training” how to properly prune grapevines.  

This included a group of eight students from Lower Lake High School along with their proud teacher, Janice Luke.  

Both the adults and students competed in mini competitions with the adult winners taking home bottles of Six Sigma wine and the student winners taking home bottles of sparkling cider.

“It was a great day with our friends,” said Kaj Ahlmann, owner of Six Sigma Ranch and Winery.  

He added, “I think my favorite part of the day was when the students came up and thanked me for letting them participate. We hope that this plants a seed in the hearts and minds of our youth who may one day want to work in agriculture.”