
Steve Smith MW
Became an MW 1996
Based in New Zealand
Research Viticulturist, Ministry of Agriculture, New Zealand 1980 to 1987 Group Viticulturist Villa Maria Estate 1987 - 1998. Named in Decanter Magazine '50 Most Influential People for the Next Millennium' List 2007. Founded Craggy Range Vineyards with the Peabody Family in 1998 as Managing Director. Responsible for the development of the Craggy Range vineyards business from bare land to vineyard and winery development, development and creation of wine styles and brand and market development. Responsible for the wine, brand and business development of the Wild Rock Wine Company, a division of Craggy Range. Named in Wine and Spirits Magazine (USA) in 2006 as 'One of the Worlds Most Influential Winemakers'. Founding Chairman of the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association responsible for developing the Gimblett Gravels Appellation. Current Board Member of New Zealand Winegrowers and Chair of Pinot Noir 2007. Chairman of Judges Hawkes Bay Wine Awards 2003 to 2005. Chairman of Judges Air New Zealand Wine Awards 1997 to current.
Primary area(s) of work: Wine production, Strategy
Industry sector(s): Business owner, Consultant, Investments, Viticulture, Wine business strategy, Wine judge, Winemaking
Wine styles: Albariño
Wine region expertise: New Zealand
Market expertise: Australia, England, New Zealand, North America
Specialisms: Acquisition of vineyards, Commercial advice on vinyard establishment, Cultivation of the vine, Environmental impacts, Establishment of vineyards, Factors affecting grape growing, Financial, Harvesting of grapes, Life cycle of the vine, Regenerative, Startup and profitability, Structure and composition of grapes, Economics of wine production, Maturation and blending, Production costs, Wine styling, Winery design and construction, Blending, Branding, Investment strategies, Starting wineries, Wine labels, Wine judging