AUSTRALIA | Wine Australia has provided the sector with a new opportunity to develop skills through its Next Crop program for 2025.
Emerging leaders in the Australian wine sector will have new opportunities to develop their skills, with Coonawarra Grape and Wine, Barossa Australia, Wine Victoria and the Queensland Wine Industry Association selected to deliver the Next Crop program in 2025.
For the first time, Next Crop will be offered in the Coonawarra wine region and Queensland. It is also returning to the Barossa, while Victoria’s program will focus on the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland.
Funded by Wine Australia, Next Crop enables wine regions to design and deliver a leadership development offering tailored to their unique needs.
“Next Crop aims to build confidence in regionally based emerging leaders across the grape and wine sector, providing development opportunities to support their career interests and to foster broader leadership engagements within region, or beyond,” said Jo Hargreaves, Senior Program Manager at Wine Australia, who has overseen its people development and leadership programs.
While Next Crop is typically delivered in two or three regions each year, a once-off expansion to four in 2025 reflects the priorities of the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan which aims to strengthen leadership and collaboration across Australia’s wine regions. This decision responds to strong demand from the sector and a collective commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders.
“By aligning with the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan, we’re supporting leadership growth in regional communities and helping to create a more connected Australian wine sector,” Ms Hargreaves said.
“The leadership, business and management skills that the program will provide will help build the capacity of the grape and wine sector in the Coonawarra, Queensland, Barossa Valley and Victoria."
Dan Redman, President of Coonawarra Grape and Wine Ince said it was an honour to take part in the Next Crop program.
“As a world-renowned wine region, we strive to strengthen our position as a leader in fine Cabernet production. This program will develop leadership and governance skills in our emerging leaders, enabling them to tackle regional wine sector challenges,” said Redman.
“By fostering solution-driven thinkers, we support both industry growth and personal development. The Coonawarra Next Crop program will enhance our region’s resilience, ensuring a strong future for our wine community.”
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