Wine Australia and Australian Grape & Wine are once again searching for the next generation of change-makers in Australia’s grape and wine industry with the launch of the 2025 Future Leaders program.
Future Leaders is the Australian wine industry’s peak leadership development program and is designed for high-performing mid-career professionals with the ambition and capability to drive progress at a personal, business and sector level.
The program is open to applicants in roles across the wine sector’s value-chain who are invested in the future of the sector. The successful Future Leader will be equipped with the skills, networks and insights to lead with impact.
Wine Australia Senior R&D Program Manager and 2025 Future Leaders coordinator Jo Hargreaves said the program was instrumental in fostering resilience and adaptability across the wine sector.
“Now, more than ever, competent leaders are needed who can drive change and create opportunity,” she said.
“Future Leaders continues to evolve and to empower participants with the mindset, confidence and capabilities to navigate the challenges ahead. Graduates are better positioned to implement progressive leadership practices that align with the sector’s long-term vision.
“Because Future Leaders participants are drawn from across the value chain, a diversity of experience is brought to the learning environment, creating a valuable network that alumni draw on many years after completing the program.”
Future Leaders was first launched in 2006 and now over 150 Future Leaders alumni are shaping and influencing Australia’s wine industry across a wide range of areas including vineyard management, winemaking, marketing, trade and research.
Caitlin Davies was Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Jericho Wines when she completed the Future Leaders program in 2023. She most recently took on the role of Commercialisation and Translation Project Manager at the Australian Wine Research Institute.
“Future Leaders has skyrocketed my professional development,” Davies said.
“More importantly, within my cohort we have created a supportive community of lifelong friendships, and an exceedingly valuable professional network.
“Though our industry is facing challenges, as effective leaders our cohort is now well placed to turn them into opportunities. The Future Leaders program will give you all the tools you need to help create the wine sector that you want to work in,” she said.
Future Leaders is coordinated and funded by Wine Australia, with the support of Australian Grape & Wine, reinforcing their shared commitment to the future of the sector through collaboration and leadership.
Applications for Future Leaders 2025 are open from today and will close at midday on Monday, 24 March. Successful applicants will be announced during the week beginning 12 May 2025.
An information webinar will be held on Wednesday, 26 February and more details are available through the Wine Future Leaders website.