In 1987 Prue took on her current role as viticulturist for Henschke and her research, which is still ongoing, revolves around vineyard sward management, green waste, compost and mulches, trellis design, canopy management, soil moisture management and trials with native grasses and organic and biodynamic viticulture. Prue has always been an active participant and protector of her surroundings and as such is a member of many committees including the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology, Adelaide Hills Vine Improvement Group, Barossa Viticultural Technical Group, Adelaide Hills Wine Region Environment committee and the Barossa Water Allocation Planning Advisory committee.
Prue began her career by studying botany and zoology at Adelaide University. On completing her degree, she spent two years in Germany, involving herself in viticulture and plant physiology. During this time she worked in the Geisenheim Institute vineyards, as well as becoming involved in grafting and breeding. Prue returned to Australia and studied Wine Science at Riverina College of Advanced Education in Wagga Wagga, working at the Roseworthy Agricultural College (now Roseworthy campus of the University of Adelaide) as a technical research assistant under Peter Dry, running trials on top-grafting grape vines at the time of the Vine Pull scheme.
Highlights of Prue's career include the induction into the 2005 USA Wine & Spirit Magazine Hall of Fame and winning The Age/Sydney Morning Herald Good Wine Guide 2011 Winery of the Year.
Prue is a presenter at the ‘Mythbusting - Australia’s regions, sites, innovations, quality, diversity and characters’ business session.
