Otago Polytech Cromwell campus lecturer Raewyn Paviour said this year just six entries had been received, so two "old hands", Robin Dicey, owner of Full Circle Vineyard, and Tom Topping, manager of Aurora Vineyard at Bendigo, decided they would take part to compete against each other and against the young people.
The age limit is 30 years.
As well as pruning, changing the tyre on a quad bike, loading a truck with a fork lift, wine tasting and reading weather maps, entrants were also required to take part in a sports event and answer general knowledge questions.
Winner Tim Austin-Moorhouse will now compete at the Brigato Conference in Christchurch for a right to represent the Otago region in the Young Horticulturist of the Year at the Ellerslie Flower Show, where the winner would be up against fruit growers, flower, vegetable and nursery growers.
