Dr Richard Smart

The wine industry is saddened to learn that Dr Richard Smart passed away peacefully on Wednesday 2 July.

Born in 1945 in New South Wales, Richard’s career in the wine industry was substantial, both in its breadth and impact. His work in viticulture took him all over the world – beyond his extensive work in Australia, America and the UK, Richard’s viticulture consultancy also spanned many developing wine industries, including in Georgia, Serbia, Thailand, Mexico, Myanmar and areas of China.

Richard is known for his pioneering studies in canopy management, including his development of the Smart-Dyson trellis system, which was designed to reduce vine vigour and thereby improve grape quality, and his book Sunlight into Wine, a handbook which details the principles of the canopy microclimate and management.

Known as ‘The Flying Vine Doctor’, Richard was passionate and vivacious – ever engaged in the industry, he was an active viticulture consultant as recently as February this year. That same month, Richard was made a Fellow of NZ Winegrowers in recognition of his work as Government Viticultural Scientist for New Zealand in the 1980s, when he was based at the Ruakura Research Station in Hamilton.

The 1980s were pivotal times for the New Zealand industry, with 25 percent of the vineyards removed, and struggles with phylloxera and increased competition from Australia under the Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement. Research by Richard, technicians and colleagues helped overcome these issues. Richard founded the NZ Society for Viticulture and Oenology, and also presided over the Second International Conference on Cool Climate Viticulture in Auckland in 1988. The NZ sector is presently in much improved health, thanks to these pioneering efforts.

Richard was a deeply valued and avid contributor to the Grapegrower & Winemaker magazine and the Wine & Viticulture Journal (and its predecessors). He even wrote a Letter to the Editor (as he was wont to do) to the Grapegrower & Winemaker which was published in June.

In this most recent opinion piece, Richard reflected on the outlook of the Australian wine industry with positivity and hope.

“My reading of the April 2025 issue of the Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker magazine led me to reconsider the future of the Australian grape and wine industry,” Richard wrote. “This reconsideration came as a welcome relief. Previous reports were gloomy, suggesting declining international sales, which were confirmed by a recent OIV report. Australia has been a major wine exporting country for many decades, might this not continue?”

Dr Peter Dry AM was a longtime colleague and friend.

“My collaboration with Richard Smart commenced at Roseworthy Agricultural College exactly 50 years ago and continued to recent times,” said Dr Dry.

“I will always be extremely grateful for the significant positive influence that he had on my early career and his enduring friendship.

“His contribution to viticulture on the international stage will be long remembered. May he rest in peace.”

Dr Mark Krstic, managing director of the Australian Wine Research Institute, spoke of Richard’s lasting legacy for the industry.

“Dr Richard Smart – an iconic name that will be linked to viticulture and canopy management forever, especially through his invaluable handbook Sunlight into Wine,” said Dr Krstic. “Richard made a significant and lasting contribution to the global viticulture and wine industries.

“His passion for viticulture was second to none; fierce and independent, never afraid of going against the grain or challenging established views.

“Richard has been a mentor and friend, who challenged me but also supported me throughout my career. He will be sadly missed.”

Editor of the Grapegrower & Winemaker magazine, Hans Mick, paid tribute to Richard’s enthusiastic engagement with the sector.

“Richard never stopped being a vocal advocate for the industry that he was so passionate about – even when his views, at times, ran contrary to prevailing orthodoxy. He cared deeply about those that make up the grape and wine sector, both at home in Australia and abroad, and he wanted to see the industry continue to improve and prosper. His loss will be heartfelt by the many people who were touched, professionally and personally, by Richard’s genuinely one-of-a-kind presence in viticulture and beyond.”

Vale Dr Richard Smart.