LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Saturday, March 8, marked the seventh annual “Pruning and Pastries” competition held at Six Sigma Ranch.

Twelve professional Lake County pruners arrived well before start time to compete for speed and accuracy hoping 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.

Other generous sponsors included Mendo Lake Credit Union and Twin Pine Casino who also contributed to the winner’s prizes.

The professional judges were Glenn McGourty, PhD, UC Davis and Broc Zoller, PhD, The Pear Doctor.

Unbelievably, for the second year in a row, there was a tie for first place leading to a heart-racing “prune-off.”

Six Sigma Ranch is happy to announce the following 2014 winners: Ruben Perez Lopez from Bella Vista won first place, Carlos Molina from Beckstoffer Vineyards took second; and Carlos Caluo Salas from Kendall Jackson finished third.

This event also serves 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 which led to a fun amateur pruning competition.

Six Sigma wine club member, Michael Phelps, who received first place joked that “Best Amateur Pruner in Lake County is a nice addition to his many gold medals.” He shares his name with the very famous Olympic athlete.

Second place in the amateur competition was Melinda Wright and Terry Roy took third.

“The professional pruners never cease to amaze me,” said Kaj Ahlmann, owner of Six Sigma Ranch and Winery.

“Even after the top awards were received and the event was finalized, the professional pruners were eager to see their individual tally sheets,” Ahlmann added. “They take their work seriously and it truly shows why Lake County’s wine region is thriving. It starts in the vineyard with this kind of dedication and talent.”

Six Sigma Ranch and Winery is located at 13372 Spruce Grove Road and is open for tasting every day from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit the winery online at www.sixsigmaranch.com .