Advisory Board/18 June 2026
The Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Board met for the first time and was given briefings on the current state of the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia program, including key activities and priorities, ahead of reviewing the program’s strategy and operating plan, including:
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Mardi Longbottom, Acting EO Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, on the current uptake, performance and operations of the program.
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Mark Krstic, Managing Director of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), on the purpose of establishing the independent Sustainable Winegrowing Australia board.
- Ash Keegan, CEO of Fabal, presented on a digital approach to simplifying certification processes.
- Paul Turale, General Manager, Market Development at Wine Australia, provided an update on market trends and industry engagement initiatives.
- Jane Siebum, CEO of Freshcare, provided an update on the review cycle for Sustainable Winegrowing Australia’s standards.
- Anna Hooper, Director of Economic & Environmental Policy, led a discussion on key policy developments and their implications for the Australian wine industry.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening member engagement through formal feedback mechanisms, including regular reporting of member inquiries and industry views at each Board meeting.
On the following day, the Board members participated in a strategy day, reflecting on stakeholder perspectives, including Board member briefings, to set the agenda for Sustainable Winegrowing Australia for the next three years and to inform the operating plan for FY27. The Strategy is expected to be published in 1Q FY27, following further development and approval by the SWORD.
