The Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, McLaren Vale Wine Region and Riverland Wine will deliver this year’s Next Crop program.
It is designed to equip emerging leaders with practical skills, networks and confidence to support the long-term resilience and success of the grape and wine sector in those regions.
Funded by Wine Australia, Next Crop provides wine regions with an opportunity to develop locally-tailored leadership programs that reflect each region’s priorities and challenges.
Jo Hargreaves, senior program manager at Wine Australia, said, “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.”
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.
Jennie Curran, CEO of the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association 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.
“The program will create a sustainable leadership pipeline that strengthens both individuals, their businesses and the collective future of the Hunter Valley.”
Erin Leggat, CEO of McLaren Vale Wine Region said, “Next Crop addresses the urgent need to ensure that our next generation of regional leaders are equipped with the skills and knowledge to collaboratively devise solutions to key regional and industry-wide challenges in this period of significant industry adjustment and have the leadership skills and confidence to bring the region’s grape and wine sector and community together in support of these solutions.”
Alex Cannon-Leyson, GM of Riverland Wine said, “The current conditions facing the wine industry are having real and immediate impacts on Riverland growers and wineries.
“The Next Crop program plays a crucial role in helping our region face these challenges together.
“We know that building the capabilities of the next generation will strengthen both grower viability and regional outcomes.”
Administered by regional grape and wine associations, the program’s learning experiences are aimed at building capability, encouraging collaboration and preparing participants to take on greater responsibility within their businesses and regional communities.
Since 2021, Next Crop has been delivered to 232 participants across 11 regions.
Participants gain practical insights into leadership, decision-making and industry dynamics while forming valuable professional networks.
These connections help strengthen regional cohesion and contribute to a more adaptable, forward-looking sector.
Photo: Participants in Barossa Next Crop 2025.
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