Margaret River wine industry Next Crop program celebrates year finish for future leader training

An industry program to support development of the “next crop” of Margaret River wine industry leaders has wrapped, with participants cheering the outcome.

The Wine Australia-backed Next Crop program ran a team of 15 emerging leaders through a series of specialist programs aimed at upskilling participants to secure the future of the Margaret River wine region.

The vignerons undertook a professional and personal development program this year co-ordinated by Wines of WA and the Margaret River Wine Association which included leadership as well as industry-based skills.

The squad of 15 included well-known names and faces from local vineyards including Fermoy Estate, Voyager, Vasse Felix and Xanadu among others.

While the program has run since 2021, it was the first time Next Crop was held in WA’s South West.

With the program culminating last week, participants lauded the close bonds fostered, program facilitator Eloise Jarvis said.

“They immediately built a very special connection with each other and threw themselves into every challenge presented to them,” she said.

Among the challenges, Next Crop participants also received training and masterclasses from a variety of sources including local actor Myles Pollard, personal development coach Georgina Beniston, and adventure guide and leadership mentor Cam O’Beirne.

Dr O’Beirne, who helms the Margaret River Adventure Company, told the Times he took the members through an outdoors challenge to help them examine stress management within a team environment.

The coasteering activity at Wyadup included rock climbing, surf swimming and jumping from the cliffs in challenging conditions.

“Participants were encouraged to accept and try to be comfortable with being uncomfortable in the wild ocean, and sit with their feelings,” he said.

“This was enabled in a leadership framework with feedback and constant communication to improve working together in times of external stressors.”

MRWA chief executive Amanda Whiteland said the program proved “incredibly rewarding”.

“It reflects our commitment to supporting the future of the wine industry by equipping our emerging leaders with the skills, confidence, and insights to drive innovation and success,” she said.

Feedback from those involved backed-up praise for the program.

Fraser Gallop Estate head winemaker Ellin Tritt said the program enriched her “leadership journey” both personally and professionally.

“It has been a time to reflect, learn and grow with a cohort of inspiring, motivated and energetic individuals with whom I’ve forged close relationships and will continue to collaborate with for many years to come,” she said.

“It has opened my eyes up to the wider Australian wine industry, with the challenges we face together and the power of collaborative thinking and problem solving.”

Other participants said Next Crop fostered stronger local connections while also giving students perspective on career trajectories within the context of a fast-changing industry.