Richard Smart (viticulturalist)
Australian viticulturist (1945–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Ernest Smart (6 March 1945 – 2 July 2025) was an Australian viticulturist and leading global consultant on viticulture methods,[1] who was often referred to as "the flying vine-doctor". He is considered responsible for revolutionising grape growing due to his work on canopy management techniques.[2]
6 March 1945
Richard Smart | |
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| Born | Richard Ernest Smart 6 March 1945 Windsor, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 2 July 2025 (aged 80) Victoria, Australia |
| Alma mater | Cornell University |
| Occupation | Viticulturist |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | Implications of the radiation microclimate for productivity of vineyards (1976) |
| Doctoral advisor | Nelson Shaulis |
Life and career
Born at Windsor, New South Wales, on 6 March 1945, Smart graduated from the University of Sydney with an honours degree in agricultural science in 1966. He went on to earn a MSc (Hons) degree from Macquarie University following a study of sunlight use by vineyards, and a PhD from Cornell University in New York state studying under Nelson Shaulis. In 1995, he was awarded a Doctor of Science degree in agriculture by Stellenbosch University, South Africa, in recognition of research into canopy management effects on vineyard yield and quality.
Smart developed the Smart-Dyson Trellis, a modification of the Scott Henry trellis, with curtains trained up and down from the one cordon, along with John Dyson of California.[3]
Smart wrote the book Sunlight into Wine, contributed to several trade publications, and was the viticulture editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine.[4]
Smart died from cancer in Victoria, on 2 July 2025, at the age of 80.[5]
Global warming changes
Smart warned that as a consequence of the ongoing ramifications of global warming, there will be a variety of effects on viticulture, among which that some red grape varieties may lose colour, some wines will lose varietal flavour, and some white varieties may disappear.[6] He also warned of the consequent dangers of vine infestation as temperatures rise, particularly in the case of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, vector of Pierce's Disease, and the aphid Hyalestes obsoletus, which spreads a phytoplasma disease Bois Noir. Higher temperatures mean both insects will be able to survive winters and move further. Hyalestes obsoletus has recently been found in German vines.[6] He also stated that China is set to come to prominence as a wine-producing region as a result of climate change.[7]