Richard Smart (born 6 March 1945 in Windsor, New South Wales) is an Australian viticulturalist and leading global consultant on viticulture methods,[1] who is often referred to as "the flying vine-doctor".
He is considered responsible for revolutionising grape growing due to his work on canopy management techniques.
Additionally he holds the degrees MSc (Hons) from Macquarie University following a study of sunlight use by vineyards, a PhD from Cornell University in New York State studying under the Professor Nelson Shaulis, and in 1995 awarded a D.Sc.
in agriculture by the Stellenbosch University, South Africa, in recognition of research into canopy management effects on vineyard yield and quality.
[5] He has 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.