Wine Australia has announced that the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association, McLaren Vale Wine Region and Riverland Wine will deliver the 2026 Next Crop program.
Funded by Wine Australia, Next Crop enables regions to develop locally tailored leadership programs that reflect regional priorities and challenges. The initiative is designed to equip emerging leaders with practical skills, networks and confidence to support the long term resilience of the grape and wine sector in their regions.
Administered by grape and wine associations, the program focuses on building capability, encouraging collaboration and preparing participants to take on greater responsibility within their businesses and communities.
“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 Jo Hargreaves, senior program manager at Wine Australia.
“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,” said Erin Leggat, chief executive officer of McLaren Vale Wine Region.
Since 2021, 232 participants across 11 regions have completed the program. It covers leadership, decision making and industry dynamics, while also supporting professional networks within and across regions.
Margaret River will also deliver a leadership program in 2026 aligned with the aims of Next Crop and Wine Australia’s focus on emerging leadership capability. Next Crop Cultivating Leadership is jointly funded by Wines of Western Australia, the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Margaret River Wine Association.
“The program will create a sustainable leadership pipeline that strengthens both individuals, their businesses and the collective future of the Hunter Valley,” said Jennie Curran, chief executive officer of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association.
“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,” said Alex Cannon Leyson, general manager of Riverland Wine.
“We know that building the capabilities of the next generation will strengthen both grower viability and regional outcomes.”