Next Crop 2026 programs kick off in Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale and Riverland

Wine Australia's 2026 Next Crop programs are underway in the Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale and Riverland, bringing together each region’s emerging leaders to build the skills, networks and confidence needed to navigate the rapidly changing wine sector. 

Next Crop is administered in conjunction with regional associations which tailor the program to meet the needs of their region.  Wine Australia acknowledges the support of Jennie Curran, from the Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, Erin Leggatt, from the McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association, and Andrew Weeks, from Riverland Wine, who have helped shape and coordinate this year's programs in their respective regions. 

The Hunter Valley and McLaren Vale programs are being facilitated by Anita Schneyder, from Teams on Purpose, while Jill Briggs, of Affectus, is facilitating the Riverland’s program. 

The Next Crop program supports participants through leadership development, peer learning and industry connection opportunities, equipping them to lead businesses, contribute to their communities and help shape the future of Australia's grape and wine sector. 

A highlight of the program so far has been the joint Industry Day held at the National Wine Centre on 6 August where participants from the Riverland and McLaren Vale programs came together for a ‘Who's Who in the Zoo’ session. The day provided an opportunity to hear from and connect with the organisations, agencies and representative bodies that support the sector, while building relationships across regions. 

Participants heard from  Martin Cole, CEO, and Paul Smith, General Manager - Research & Innovation, from Wine Australia; outgoing Chief Executive of Australian Grape & Wine Lee McLean; Inca Lee, Chief Executive of the South Australian Wine Industry Association; Jenny Venus, committee member of the Wine Grape Council of South Australia; Hugh Waterman, Senior Advisor - Food and Wine Exports Trade, Department of State Development; Ann-Marie Battista, Manager - Export Development and Trade Partnerships, Tradestart; Geoff Cowey, Senior Industry Advisor - Industry, Strategy and Partnerships, PIRSA; and Miranda Lang, Director of Industry and Regions, South Australian Tourism Commission. 

“By investing in people and fostering collaboration, Next Crop is helping develop a pipeline of capable, connected leaders to support a resilient, innovative and sustainable Australian wine sector,” said Jo Hargreaves, Senior Program Manager at Wine Australia who oversees its people development and leadership programs. 

 

The Next Crop Hunter Valley participants for 2026

The Next Crop Hunter Valley participants are: 

• Daniel Byrom, DTC manager, Agnew Wines, Audrey Wilkinson Wines & Pooles Rock Wines 

• Grace Eglit, marketing manager, Mulpha (Bimbadgen & The Lane Retreat) 

• Aimee Hall, cellar door and events manager, Winmark Wines 

• Brent Hutton, vineyard manager, Tyrrell's 

• Bronte Judd, wine club and events coordinator, Tulloch Wines 

• Nick Kruger, winemaker & operations manager, Sobels Wines 

• David MacDougal, vigneron, Lambs Valley Wines 

• Alison Mercer, operations & marketing manager, Mercer Wines 

• Kurt Nilon, sales and marketing manager, Petersons Wines, Savannah Estate & Ben Ean  

• Sam Rumpit, winemaker, Saddlers Creek Wines 

• Jenna Vaughan, marketing manager, De Iuliis Wines 

• Michael Wells, winemaker, Usher Tinkler Wines & Thea Wines 

• Adam Winder, sales manager, Wholesale & Distribution, The Little Wine Company 

• Nick Williams, cellar door & operations manager, Hungerford Hill 

 

The Next Crop McLaren Vale participants for 2026

The Next Crop McLaren Vale participants are:  

• Jennifer Brakenridge, cellar door manager, Bekkers Wine 

• James Braybrook, hospitality & tourism director, Wirra Wirra 

• Brenna Bucy, office manager, Maxwell Wines  

• Lachlan Francis, operations & finance, McLaren Vale Distillery/Chalk Hill Viticulture, David Graham, brand ambassador, Fox Creek Wines (Maxwell Wines) 

• Matt Jackman, winemaker, Grounded Cru  

• Sophie Liddy, sales and marketing manager, Varney Wines 

• Duncan Lloyd, senior winemaker, Coriole Vineyards 

• Baxter Riggs, sales and marketing coordinator, Mr Riggs Wine Co 
  Charlie O’Brien, winemaker/owner, Silen Noise Wines 

• Brioni Oliver, co-owner, Oliver’s Taranga Vineyard 

• Jon Overcash, owner/operator, My McLaren Vale 

• Oliver Penman, grapegrower, Viticol 

• Jaimee-lee Ritchee, business operations, Ledson Vineyards 

• Trent Starke, leading hand, Gilligan Contracting 
  Genevieve Ticehurst, marketing manager – trade, Randall Wine Group 

• and Farm Manager, The Old Seaview Homestead 

• Siubhan Wilcox, brand home manager, Hardys Tintara 

• Rhiannan Wilson, Wonder Room Venue Manager, Dandelion Vineyards 

 

The Next Crop Riverland participants for 2026

The Next Crop Riverland participants are: 

• Laura Alm, admin assistant & marketing manager, Starrs Reach Vineyards 

• Amelia Anspach, winemaker, Angove Family Winemakers 

• Sam Carr, branch manager, Nutrien Ag Solutions Berri 

• Seamus Donaghey, assistant winemaker, 919 Wines 

• Brad Flowers, owner/operator, Overland Corner Hotel; owner, Hops & More, OCH Group 

• Ben Frahn, sales manager, Kingston Estate Wines 

• Metehan Gunhan, account manager/agronomist, Nutrien Ag Solutions 

• Ashlee Gilbert-Little, cellar manager, Berri Estates, Vinarchy  

• Leah Heinrich, viticulturist and grower liaison officer 

• Michelle Huckel, winemaker, Kingston Estate Wines 

• Courtney Hume, administration, vineyard hand, Proud Wines, Proud Vineyard Services and AC & CR Hume Pty Ltd 

• Ilonka Michelle Laubscher, winemaker, Berri Estates, Vinarchy  

• Carel van der Merwe, winemaker, The Wine Group 

• Ben Payne, irrigation manager, Australian Vintage Ltd 

• Ebony Petch, apprentice viticulturist, Petch Vineyards 

• Chantel Schiller, sales & finance manager, Ricca Terra