Craig joined Henschke as Lenswood Vineyard Manager in 2006 and oversees all operations at the cool-climate vineyard in the Adelaide Hills subregion of Lenswood. After working as Vineyard Operations Manager in the Lower Hunter region of New South Wales, Craig’s desire to get back into the vineyard saw him take up the opportunity to develop the steep Lenswood site for Henschke; a project offering a broad scope of work, including mentoring and collaborating with peers within and outside of the family-owned winery.
Craig considers himself a ‘generalist’ in viticulture, connecting the dots between earth, plant and atmosphere. Breaking away from conventional ‘farming’ practices and applying holistic thinking and scientific knowledge to nurture biota, promote biodiversity and enhance crop protection is something Craig has enjoyed immensely over the duration of his career. He sees the importance in implementing sound and considerate land management decisions to ensure that the vines are cared for, for generations to come.
Altruistic and eternally fascinated by all aspects of viticulture, Craig is well-rounded when it comes to qualifications in his field, graduating with Distinction in Applied Science (Viticulture) from Charles Sturt University, holding an Associate Degree in Business (Wine Marketing) from the University of Adelaide, Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment from TAFE NSW, and Biosecurity Training with Plant Health Australia.
Craig’s determination to get the job done and bring people along with him has resulted in roles with a range of wine industry bodies; including Deputy Chair of Adelaide Hills Vine Improvement Inc., Treasurer and Deputy Chair of South Australian Vine Improvement Association, member of the Grape and Environment Committee of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region, mentor/presenter in the AWRI Advanced Viticulture Course, and Biosecurity Industry Liaison Officer for the Adelaide Hills Wine Region on behalf of Plant Health Australia.
Some of Craig’s most significant accomplishments at Henschke include growing fruit that creates wines of great length, distinction and character, rebuilding and restructuring the Henschke Lenswood vineyard after the December 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfire and achieving Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Certification for the Lenswood vineyard in 2023, part of a long-term project with Viticulturist Prue Henschke across the Henschke vineyard holdings.
