Wine Australia and the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology have announced the national expansion of its Rootlings youth support network following a successful pilot conducted in 2023.
The program, which is open to all Australian wine industry professionals aged under 35, hopes to foster the next generation of grape and wine industry talent via networking and educational opportunities.
“Rootlings will develop peer-to-peer networks and professional development activities for young people, by young people,” said Martin Cole, CEO of Wine Australia.
“An engaged youth can drive positive change across the sector and it is hoped the program will empower participants to become actively involved at regional, state and national levels... It is vital for the future-proofing of the grape and wine sector that it retains skilled and semi-skilled people across all areas.”
Chris Waters, Executive Officer at ASVO, says that, “by working together, we will bridge the gap and build a strong intergenerational wine community.
“Over the past four decades, ASVO has established a strong sense of community within the wine industry, especially among winemakers, viticulturists, researchers and scientists. Rootlings will do the same for a younger generation.”
The Rootlings initiative will be led by National Project Officer Jenna Vaughan, who was motivated to apply for the role after experiencing the benefits of the program first hand during last year’s pilot.
In addition to her new role, Vaughan is also the current Administrative Assistant of The Len Evans Tutorial, and has experience in wine sales and marketing roles across Hunter Valley wineries such as De Iuliis, Margan, and Bimbadgen.
“It is a privilege to now be part of a program that fosters personal and professional growth, ignites passion and shapes the future of Australian wine,” she said.
“By connecting like-minded individuals, providing mentorship and facilitating skill development, we empower the next generation to drive innovation and elevate the Australian wine industry to new heights.”
The program will be open to under-35s working as winemakers, viticulturists, cellar door staff, wine judges, amongst other wine industry roles; and will provide networking and education activities focussed on the needs of young people in the sector and their professional development.
Reflecting on last year’s pilot program, Swinging Bridge’s Cellar Door Manager Will Arnold said participating gave him a “much better perspective of the industry as a whole and the many career paths that can be followed.
“Having exposure to each area of the industry through the program has helped me gain a better understanding of where my skill set and interest can take me,” he continued.
“I think it is easy to feel isolated as a young person in the wine industry and Rootlings is the perfect way to connect with like-minded people.”
Potential participants in the Rootlings program can register their interest here.
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