SECATEURS in hand, the pruners move stealthily along their vineyard rows, assessing the variety, condition and quality of each individual branch.

They choose which method to use before quickly and cleanly making the necessary cuts, with the tool's blade cutting through the wood like a ninja's sword through the air.

They push the cut branches to the centre of the row and move on.

Good pruning is just as essential to winemaking as choosing the right climate, soil, water application and environmental factors; that's according to Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE Vineyard manager Ben Pietsch.

Which is why the Grampians Winemakers and NMIT host the annual vine-pruning championships each July in Ararat.

"There's quite a lot of skill involved in pruning. You have to do the right thing for the vine, and do it quite quickly," Mr Pietsch said.

"Every vine is different ... in drought more vines are under stress and produce less growth, so pruning is a lot lighter."

Mr Pietsch said the 30 contestants in last week's competition were judged on how clean their cuts were; the positioning of the cuts; how correct their decision to prune lightly or heavily was; and the quality of wood that was chosen.

The placement, spacing and selection of spurs - last year's growth with two nodes (buds) emerging - were also judged.

Points are awarded for finishing quickly, but "points are taken off for messy work - the quickest pruner has never won," Mr Pietsch said.

Pruners were also judged on the style of pruning they chose.

Spur pruning is the most common style - it produces vertical wood for bunches to grow from and controls the position new growth comes from.

Cane pruning removes all old wood and has young wood on the wire, and is used to prune varieties such as sauvignon blanc.

Taltarni Winery pruner Matthew Bailey won the individual section of the vine pruning championships, while Seppels at Great Western took out the team event.

Jake Kociancic from Marian College in Ararat won the student section.

NMIT's five tips for pruning:

  • Keep secateurs sharp and hygienic.
  • Use disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease in vines.
  • Count nodes and prune to a plan.
  • Watch your fingers and those of your pruning partner.
  • Wear eye protection.
  • Prune as soon as all leaves have dropped.