Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of its inaugural advisory Board and Executive Officer, marking a step forward in strengthening the national sustainability program.
The Board, led by recently appointed independent Chair Siobhan Toohill, collates diverse experience and leadership skills from viticulture, winemaking, research, legal and regional advocacy, who will guide the strategic direction of the program as it supports growers and winemakers in adopting and improve sustainable practices. Commencing from 1 May 2026, the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Board are:
- Siobhan Toohill, independent Chair
- Jeremy Cass
- Kellie Collins
- Chris Dent
- Ella Shaw
- Michael Parks
- Kyra Reznikov
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia independent Chair, Siobhan Toohill said the Board’s focus will be on enhancing the program’s impact and value to members and the wider industry.
“Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is pivotal in supporting continuous improvement across environmental, social and economic practices of the industry. I look forward to working with the Board, Executive Officer and industry stakeholders to build on the program’s strong foundations to continue to drive the outcomes that matter most for a more sustainable Australian grape and wine sector,” Toohill said.
In addition to the Board positions, Siobhan Wigan has been appointed to the role of Executive Officer and will commence in early July. An experienced wine industry professional, Ms Wigan brings strong technical skills across a range of sustainability frameworks, wine production and business management along with a passion for sustainability and innovation.
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia provides tools, certification and benchmarking to help businesses measure, improve and communicate their sustainability performance. The program has 1,980 members with 76% independently certified. Membership covers 70% of Australia’s vineyard area and 96% of Australia’s winegrape crush in 2025. More than 3000 wine labels are eligible to carry the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia trust mark.
“Having a dedicated Board and Executive Officer leading Sustainable Winegrowing Australia means the program can grow its impact and remain a credible, industry-owned asset. That matters for every grower and winemaker working to stay competitive,” says Lee McLean, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Grape & Wine Inc.
Wine Australia CEO Dr Martin Cole highlighted the importance of strong governance in supporting the program’s continued evolution. “This Board’s leadership will help deliver on the industry’s shared ambition for a stronger Sustainable Winegrowing Australia that supports its priorities under the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan – supporting long-term viability, meeting market expectations and creating value across the grape and wine community”.
Building on the importance of program governance and industry impact, Dr Mark Krstic, Managing Director of AWRI says, “As Sustainable Winegrowing Australia continues to evolve, having strong governance in place means the program can keep pace with best practice and deliver an internationally robust and credible, fit-for-purpose program that is also cost effective for industry participants. AWRI looks forward to continuing to support that work as the program enters this next phase”.
The Board and Executive Officer will develop a strategic plan that incorporates industry feedback on program’s value and certification pathway experience, while strengthening sustainability credentials to reinforce Australia’s reputation as a global leader in sustainable wine production.
