Is your wine business considering Japan as a potential export avenue? Or are you already in the market and planning this year’s program of activities?
Join us for a 60-minute session covering market conditions, opportunities, and upcoming activities.
With presentations by Wine Australia and Austrade, this webinar will provide wineries and producers with a strong understanding of the current state of the market, opportunities and challenges for Australian wine, local trade and cultural insights, and upcoming activities.
Who should attend this webinar?
This webinar is suitable for anyone who is:
- considering doing business in Japan
- already working with Japanese customers and partners, and/or
- looking to establish partnerships with companies in Japan.
What can attendees expect to learn?
Webinar attendees can expect to gain insights on:
- understanding the business environment
- opportunities and challenges for Australian wine
- overcoming the cultural barriers to doing business in Japan, and
- the 2026 calendar of activities in Japan.
Speakers
Sarah Roberts
Sarah is a highly experienced leader, with more than a decade of experience leading marketing initiatives across the Asia Pacific region. Raised in the Adelaide Hills, she began her career after graduating from the University of South Australia, gaining international experience in the UK before moving into wine and spirits marketing with Moët Hennessy and Diageo. Sarah has managed major regional partnerships and projects across Asia Pacific and brings a global perspective shaped by roles in Australia, the UK and Asia.
Dr Naomi Verdonk
Dr Naomi Verdonk combines expertise in regulatory analysis, winemaking and consumer research. She holds qualifications in oenology, law and French, with postgraduate studies in wine science, legal practice, international wine law and wine business. Her PhD at the University of Adelaide explored Australian consumer preferences for sparkling wine. Naomi has completed multiple South Australian vintages and lectured in viticulture and oenology. Since joining Wine Australia in 2021, she has advised industry, government and global trade bodies on wine market access, including labelling, compositional standards, duties, taxes and import procedures.
Angelica Crabb
Angelica is a senior analyst in the Market Insights team at Wine Australia. Over the last ten years, her focus has been primarily insights on the wine export data collected through Wine Australia’s approvals process, as well as insights on overseas markets for Australian wine. Previous to working in the wine sector she spent five years working in the grains industry. She holds a degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Business Administration from Flinders University.
Kendall Draper
In 2016, Kendall commenced in the public service at the Attorney-General's Department. She then spent six years at the Department of Home Affairs before holding international postings across Southeast Asia. Kendall has experience in fostering global connections and facilitating investment opportunities and promoting Australian businesses on the international stage.
She holds a Bachelor of Justice Studies from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and Digital Marketing and Communications from Monash University.
Rosemary MacDonald
Over the past decade, Rosemary has built her marketing and business career in Japan. After graduating with a double degree in Japanese and International Business from the University of Wollongong, and gaining experience in Japan’s hospitality and tourism sectors, she became a Wine Ambassador for Pernod Ricard Winemakers in Tokyo. She then moved to Pernod Ricard Japan, where she held various Brand Manager positions for spirits, including Jameson Irish Whiskey and KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin.
Rosemary holds a WSET Level 3 qualification.
Contact
Email: asia@wineaustralia.com