DeGaris' passion recognised with Viticulturist of Year award

Judged by her peers, the prestigious award honours an outstanding viticulturist who demonstrates a broad positive contribution to the Australian wine industry, and acknowledges adoption of innovative practices, technologies or standards.

A technical viticulturist for Treasury Wine Estates based in Coonawarra and chair of the technical sub-committee of the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council, Ms DeGaris was credited for facilitating and conducting local research and extension work including projects that enabled growers to understand and manage issues like Eutypa, iron bacteria in irrigation water, salinity and Cabernet berry shrivel.

Ms DeGaris said her interest in viticulture began when she completed an Agricultural Science degree in the mid-1990s before taking up roles in the Riverland and at Griffith, NSW.

RELATED READING

"That was a boom time in the wine industry - you couldn't plant grapes quick enough," she said.

"My first roles involved extending research out to grape growers that was pertinent to improving fruit quality, then moving into pest and disease control."

Ms DeGaris began an involvement in industry development in her time in NSW, before moving home in 2004 to work for Stonehaven Wines.

Ms DeGaris returned to the family farm in 2012 to focus on a PhD, while also working part-time for Treasury.

She completed the PhD - which investigated salinity in grapevines and how to optimise water use to minimise the uptake of salt - in 2016, before continuing her work for Treasury and stepping into the role of technical sub-committee chair of the LCGWC.

"I now work for Treasury part-time, but in a more technical role - overseeing technical support with a few other people for company vineyards within Treasury Wine Estates," Ms DeGaris said.

"I hope this award will enable me to have a platform to promote the extension of research and get young, early-career researchers into our region."

BEING an award-winning viticulturist would be enough to keep most people occupied, but Treasury Wines Estate technical viticulturist Kerry DeGaris finds plenty of time to give back to her community through a number of local groups.

Ms DeGaris took up the role of Penola Show president last year and is also involved with the Penola National Trust, Limestone Coast Ladies and Bool Lagoon Hall.

"I enjoy giving volunteer time back to the community," she said.

"Giving back and building that sense of community is quite important."

As well as the swathe of community groups Ms DeGaris is involved in, she also works on her family's Bool Lagoon farm.

They operate a prime lamb, wool and Red Angus beef enterprise.

With a background in water management, Ms DeGaris has also been on the Natural Resources South East board since 2016 and has recently taken on the presiding member role.

Ms DeGaris said previous research conducted during a PhD had prepared her for the focus on water issues and water management that came with the role.

"My PhD was looking at salinity in grapevines and how we could optimise our water use to minimise the uptake of salt," she said.

"I have a background in salinity and water management and my passion now is understanding irrigation water in the Limestone Coast with my role as presiding member of NRM SE.

"We oversee all the water allocation side of things so all the science behind the hydrology behind the water issues in our region is what I'm particularly passionate about."

Ms DeGaris said juggling her many activities could be challenging, but she wouldn't have it any other way.