The rising stars of Australia’s wine world

Fifteen members of the trade have been picked to be the Future Leaders of 2015 and represent Australia’s diverse wine culture.

Rising stars: The Future Leaders 2015 group

Coordinated by Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA) in partnership with Wine and Grape Growers Australia (WGGA) and Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA), the program is designed to “develop the participants’ leadership capabilities and encourage innovation and thoughtful debate on the future of the sector.”

The Future Leaders 2015 (FL2015) group are:

• Jason Amos, managing director at Lallemand Australia Pty Ltd
• Sam Barry, commercial manager at Jim Barry Wines
• Nigel Blieschke, viticulturist at Peter Lehmann Wines
• Angela Brown, sales and marketing director at All Saints Estate & St Leonards Vineyard
• Lilian Carter, private client winemaker/wine industry consultant
• Andrew Calabria, marketing manager at Calabria Family Wines
• Christian Dal Zotto, sales and marketing manager at Dal Zotto Wines
• James Hook, viticulturist and co-founder of DJ’s Grower Services
• Stuart Hordern, assistant winemaker at Brokenwood Wines
• Tom Keelan, winemaker at The Pawn Wine Co
• Danielle Kennedy, sales and marketing manager at Camperdown Cellars
• Dave Milne, sales and marketing manager at Josef Chromy Wines
• Suzanne Muntz, viticulturist at Xanadu Wines
• Samantha Payne, consultant sommelier/freelance wine writer
• Gemma West, business specialist at Treasury Wine Estates

Over the past 10 years, the program has produced 75 alumni from the grape and wine community and this year sees another diverse mix that includes winemakers, grape growers, suppliers, marketers, consultants and off-premise retailers.

The winners will commence a challenging six-month program in June, including face-to-face sessions across the country and will be asked to “innovate, collaborate and change the game by asking the tough questions and finding transformative solutions for the betterment of the sector.”

AGWA CEO, Andreas Clark said the calibre of applicants was representative of the wealth of skill working in the Australian wine community.

“There are so many passionate and talented people working in the grape and wine sector, right along the value chain.

“Collaborating with WGGA and WFA, this leadership program fosters our up-and-coming talent, those individuals who will lead Australian wine in the future.”

WGGA executive director, Lawrie Stanford and WFA CEO, Paul Evans encouraged applicants to get the most from this opportunity to learn, network, identify their aptitude and strengths in leadership, and to give back to the industry.

“Future Leaders is about ensuring the next generation has the support and skills necessary to lead the way. There is a critical need for their innovation and fresh thinking in decision making,” said Evans.

For more information visit the FL2015 website.