Kristen Kennison from the Department of Agriculture and Food was announced as the winner on Friday, but did not attend the awards ceremony as she is presenting research results at a conference in California.

Department director general Rob Delane said Ms Kennison's research was proving valuable to the wine industry in WA, both interstate and overseas.

“Kristen conducted world-first research that has led to increased knowledge of the timing of grapevine sensitivity to smoke exposure and its effects on wine,” Mr Delane said.

“Its outcomes have enhanced the decision-making ability for vignerons after smoke exposure from events such as the Victorian bushfires, and helping to decide the best times for prescribed burning.”

Mr Delane said the department worked closely with the wine industry through its premium wine project. He was delighted that the research efforts were appreciated and had been acknowledged by industry through the WA Wine Industry Awards.

Vines are more sensitive to smoke exposure at certain stages which have been established by the research, providing guidance on the most suitable times for prescribed burning to avoid undesirable effects in wine quality.

Mr Delane said that following her initial work, Ms Kennison was now leading a three-year national project funded by the Grape and Wine Research Development Corporation to learn more about the smoke effect and how it could be avoided.