16 Graduate from Future Leaders Grape and Wine Program

Posted by: Hannah Sparks November 10, 2020

Sixteen members of the Australian grape and wine community have graduated from this year’s Future Leaders program, joining over 90 successful alumni since the program began and becoming potential game-changers in the Australian wine industry.

Over the past ten years, the Future Leaders program has helped educate graduates in a diverse range of industry fields, including winemaking, grape growing, viticulture, business management, marketing, supply and research.

In addition to facilitating an understanding of the broader Australian grape and wine community, Future Leaders provides participants with the opportunity to develop personal and professional leadership skills and encourages the development of collaborative networks. The six-month program is coordinated by Wine Australia in partnership with Wine Grape Growers Australia (WGGA) and the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA), and funded by the sector.

“The Future Leaders 2015 are truly committed to the prosperity of Australian wine and to acting collectively to positively influence the future”, said Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer, Andreas Clark.

This year’s Future Leaders program consisted of five sessions held across the country, which encouraged participants to be innovative, collaborative and game changing. They were encouraged to tackle the betterment of the sector by being asked tough questions and challenged to find transformative solutions.

Future Leader Dave Milne, from Josef Chromy Wines in Tasmania, said of the program: “‘It’s made us more aware of the challenges our colleagues face in other regions – being from Tasmania our issues are quite different to the Riverland. [The program’s] provided me with greater insight and knowledge to contribute to the conversation of our sector’s future.”

“Future Leaders gives participants a rare opportunity to learn from decision makers, to network and expand their knowledge in the field, as well as help develop new ideas to continue building achievements for the Australian wine industry,” WFA Chief Executive, Paul Evans added.

While Suzie Muntz, Future Leader from Xanadu Wines in Western Australia said: “I think there are exciting times ahead. Certainly as a group of Future Leaders we’ve got ideas and I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running.”

The Future Leaders 2015

Jason Amos – Lallemand Australia Pty Ltd

Sam Barry – Jim Barry Wines

Nigel Blieschke – Peter Lehmann Wines

Angela Brown – All Saints Estate & St Leonards Vineyard

Lilian Carter – Private client winemaker/wine industry consultant

Andrew Calabria – Calabria Family Wines

Christian Dal Zotto – Dal Zotto Wines

Anne Duncan - Wine Australia

James Hook – DJ’s Grower Services

Stuart Hordern – Brokenwood Wines

Tom Keelan – The Pawn Wine Co