Prue Henschke Awarded AWIWA Viticulturist of the Year

Prue Henschke has been awarded Viticulturist of the Year as part of the 2016 Australian Women in Wine Awards. The award was sponsored by Wine Australia and judged on the contribution of individual viticulturists to their businesses, their use of innovation and/or best practice methods.

As viticulturist for the 148 year-old family winery, Henschke manages the 105 hectare vineyard, spanning from Eden Valley to Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills wine region.

Henschke practices an organic and biodynamic approach to viticulture. Her efforts in restructuring the vineyard include better soil management through the use of compost and mulches and establishing native grass and nectare-providing native plants to attract beneficial insects.

Henschke’s contributions to the industry go well beyond her role at the family winery.

“I have been very involved in developing better access and procedures for vine propagation material for the industry through setting up a National High Health Status Collection and the Australian Standard for Vine Propagation Material,” Henschke said.

“It is important for me to contribute to a number of industry groups, such as the Adelaide Hills Vine Improvement as Chair, the Adelaide Hills Viticulture Committee, and the Barossa Water Allocation Planning Advisory Committee. I’ve always been a strong campaigner for environmental issues.”

Seven women were awarded across six categories. Jane Thomson, AWIWA Chair, said, “It is truly a delight to see the breadth of talent and dedication recognised. We know these awards are having a positive impact on the conversation around gender equality in our wine community, and we know that the winners of the 2016 AWIWA powerfully demonstrate the contribution that women make.”

The 2016 AWIWA winners are as follows:

Winemaker of the Year, Sponsored by Wine Ark – Emma Norbiato, Calabria Family Wines, Riverina NSW
Viticulturist of the Year, Sponsored by Wine Australia – Prue Henschke, Henschke, Eden Valley SA
Owner / Operator of the Year, Sponsored by Halliday – Jenny Semmler, 919 Wines, Riverland SA
Researcher of the Year, Sponsored by Lallemand – Roberta De Bei & Cassandra Collins (team)
Workplace Champion of Change, Sponsored by Vinomofo – Iain Riggs & Brokenwood Wines, Hunter Valley NSW
Cellar Door Person of the Year – Rebecca Barr, Fernfield Wines, Eden Valley SA

Image: Prue Henschke and Stephen Henschke

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