Steve Smith MW is not resting on his laurels and views the next 15 years as the most prolific in his career. Smith & Sheth Wines
Rock-star viticulturist and wine industry legend, Steve Smith MW was awarded an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University at its 2024 graduation ceremony in recognition of his outstanding contribution as an alumni and chancellor, and his successes in the New Zealand wine industry.
The latest honour follows his induction to the New Zealand Winegrowers Fellows for services to New Zealand wine in 2021 and the Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Hall of Fame in 2022.
Born in Southland and raised in rural Canterbury, Smith graduated with distinction from Lincoln University in 1984 before forging a 40-year career in the New Zealand wine industry including becoming the first viticulturist in the world to achieve the Master of Wine qualification, co-founding and steering Craggy Range for 16 years and being named twice in the list of 50 most influential people in the world of wine. In 2017, he launched wine brand Smith & Sheth with friend and American entrepreneur Brian Sheth, one of three prestigious brands under their Aotearoa NZ Fine Wine Estates business. He also partnered with Sheth in the purchase of Pyramid Valley and Lowburn Ferry and leads the business for all three brands.
Smith took on the leadership of Lincoln University as its chancellor over 2016-2018 at a critical time of financial jeopardy and led it through a period of transformation to a bright re-focused future.
This Article was originally published on The Real Review
