Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Now Covers 70% of Vineyards Amid Major Governance Overhaul

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, the country’s national sustainability program for the wine sector, will soon operate under a new governance structure. The program is set to receive its own dedicated board, an independent chair, and an executive officer. These changes follow recommendations from an independent governance review that aimed to improve clarity, efficiency, and responsiveness within the organization. The review also sought to help the program better anticipate future needs in a rapidly changing industry.

The new structure is supported by a joint agreement between Australian Grape & Wine, Wine Australia, and the Australian Wine Research Institute. This agreement covers the period from 2025 to 2030 and is designed to strengthen the organizations’ shared commitment to sustainable practices in the wine sector. With these changes, Sustainable Winegrowing Australia will have formal oversight, established funding, and dedicated resources. The goal is to ensure the program continues to deliver value to grapegrowers, winemakers, and the broader Australian wine industry.

Lee McLean, CEO of Australian Grape & Wine, said that Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is essential for improving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices across the sector. He emphasized that demonstrating sustainability credentials is increasingly important for global markets. Dr. Martin Cole, CEO of Wine Australia, described sustainability as a strategic priority for the industry. He noted that resilience and competitiveness are being tested by climate change as well as evolving market, consumer, and regulatory demands. Dr. Cole said the new agreement would ensure Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is well-resourced and equipped to meet both current and future challenges.

Dr. Mark Krstic, managing director of the Australian Wine Research Institute, highlighted that the changes build on a strong foundation for the program. He pointed out that membership in Sustainable Winegrowing Australia now represents about 70 percent of Australia’s vineyard area. Winery members participating in the program crushed more than 80 percent of Australia’s winegrapes this year. The program currently has over 1,800 members, with more than 1,200 certified through its standards.

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia provides members with a framework for annual self-assessments and benchmarking against industry data. It also includes independent certification audits to track progress in sustainable practices. These tools are intended to help members improve their operations while meeting growing expectations from consumers and regulators.

A transitional period will take place as the new board, chair, and executive officer are recruited. During this time, the Australian Wine Research Institute will continue managing day-to-day operations to ensure continuity for members. Dr. Mardi Longbottom will serve as interim executive officer until permanent appointments are made.

Funding for Sustainable Winegrowing Australia will also change under the new arrangement. The Australian Wine Research Institute has committed to directing membership and training income from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia into Wine Australia’s Research & Innovation Fund. This means that future funding for the program will come from this mechanism rather than from levies collected from grapegrowers and winemakers.

The move comes at a time when sustainability is becoming increasingly important in global wine markets. Australian producers face mounting pressure from climate change and shifting consumer preferences toward environmentally responsible products. The new governance structure aims to position Sustainable Winegrowing Australia as a leader in sustainable wine production both domestically and internationally.