The Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, McLaren Vale Wine Region and Riverland Wine will deliver Wine Australia’s 2026 Next Crop program, aiming to equip emerging leaders with practical skills, networks and confidence to support the long-term resilience of the grape and wine sector.
The industry plays a critical role in the Australian economy, and has been working with government and representative organisations to tackle challenges.
The federal government is backing the development of a National Vineyard Register, and Wine Australia recently announced new funding pathways for industry. Australian Grape and Wine was selected to be a member group of Austrade’s new Trade Diversification Network (TDN), working with government and industry to increase export opportunities for the sector under the $50 million Accessing New Markets Initiative.
Next Crop provides wine regions with an opportunity to develop locally-tailored leadership programs that reflect each region’s priorities and challenges. Funded by Wine Australia and administered by regional grape and wine associations, the program’s learning experiences aim to build capability, encourage collaboration and prepare participants to take on greater responsibility within their businesses and regional communities.
Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association CEO, Jennie Curran, said developing the next generation of capable leaders in the Hunter Valley is fundamental to securing the region’s future.
“A tailored Hunter Valley Next Crop program will address regional challenges by building leadership capability, strategic confidence and cross wine industry collaboration,” said Curran.
“The program will create a sustainable leadership pipeline that strengthens both individuals, their businesses and the collective future of the Hunter Valley.”
Since 2021, Next Crop has been delivered to 232 participants across 11 regions. Last year’s edition was delivered by Coonawarra Grape and Wine, Barossa Australia, Wine Victoria and the Queensland Wine Industry Association. Next Crop reflects the priorities of the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan, which aims to strengthen leadership and collaboration across Australia’s wine regions.
Wine Australia senior program manager, Jo Hargreaves, said building leadership capability remains a priority for the sector’s long-term success.
“Strong leadership is essential to navigating change and capturing new opportunities. Through Next Crop, we are supporting regions to invest in their people and develop the skills needed to sustain a vibrant and competitive Australian wine sector,” said Hargreaves.
Margaret River is also delivering a leadership program in 2026 which is broadly aligned with the values of the Next Crop initiative and Wine Australia’s commitment to strengthening emerging leadership capability across Australia’s grape and wine sector. Next Crop | Cultivating Leadership is jointly funded by Wines of Western Australia, the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Margaret River Wine Association.
