Tony has had extensive experience in the research, policy and agri-political space. After joining the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) in 1999, he became a major driver of strategy for the sector. This included developing and implementing a comprehensive market access strategy and overseeing biosecurity, research and development and industry policy and strategy.

A strong international focus has resulted in Tony developing key networks with competitors and other industries to further the interests of the Australian wine sector.

He was appointed Chief Executive of WFA in November 2016. Following a successful merger of WFA and Australian Vignerons, in 2019 he was appointed the inaugural Chief Executive of Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated, the peak body representing the interests of Australia’s winemakers and grape growers.

Tony is the Chairman of The Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code Scheme. He is a member and former board member of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and is on the organising committee of the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference. He is also a member of the Ministerial Advisory Council to Australia’s Trade Minister and is the grape and wine sector’s representative on Plant Health Australia.

After over 10 years of experience providing broad support for Australian wine industry engagement, policy and strategy, Damien now focuses on the trade and market access work of Australian Grape & Wine.

Damien also manages the Australian Grape & Wine national advisory committees including the Wine Industry Technical Advisory Committee, Research Advisory Committee, Packaging Committee and the Wine Industry Market Access Group. The role takes on both a national and international perspective with core aspects including engagement and maintaining Australian wines leading role in guiding strategic priorities across a number of forums including, World Wine Trade Group, OIV, Codex and APEC. Damien holds a Bachelor of Environmental Management (Hons) from Adelaide University.

Damien will speak at any seminars Tony is unable to attend due to potential COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Will leads Finlaysons’ Wine Group. His practice has, for about 30 years now, been focused virtually solely on the wine sector. He has extensive experience acting for large and small participants in the wine industry, in relation to mergers and acquisitions, business structures, joint ventures, capital raising, succession planning and their general commercial activities such as entering into supply, processing and distribution contracts and competition and consumer law.

Will has a Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws (Companies and Securities) from the University of Adelaide and a Graduate Diploma of Finance and Investment of the Securities Institute of Australia (dux SA Division).

Much of his work over the last two decades has been in wine distribution, including export. He is on a number of boards and is Chair of Partners of Finlaysons.

Stuart joined Wine Australia in November 2014 and as General Manager, Marketing he has responsibility for Wine Australia promotional activities domestically and internationally.

Stuart has more than 23 years’ experience in the wine sector in the UK and Australia, including 10 years’ experience managing buying, wine production, direct-to-consumer sales and marketing channels for the Cellarmasters Group and Woolworths Liquor Group.

Having previously held the role of General Counsel, Rachel is responsible for Wine Australia’s strategy development and execution, market insights, external engagement, internal communications, and legal function.

Rachel also has responsibility for Wine Australia’s market access and regulatory functions, including oversight of the Label Integrity Program, maintenance of the Register of Geographical Indications and Other Terms and administration of the export controls. She is also a delegate to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and the World Wine Trade Group, a Member of the Presidential Council of FIVS and the President of the Australasian Chapter of the International Wine Law Association.

Prior to joining Wine Australia, Rachel worked in Finlaysons’ Wine Group and, prior to that, as a winemaker, having completed eleven vintages in the Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, Hunter Valley, Oregon and Tuscany. In 2013, while at Finlaysons, Rachel co-authored 2 key chapters of a text book ‘Global Wine Regulation’.

Rachel has a Bachelor of Science (Jurisprudence) majoring in genetics and biochemistry, a Masters in Oenology, a Bachelor of Laws (University of Adelaide), a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and a Diploma of European Wine Law (University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne).

Regional General Manager at Wine Australia for the UK and Europe since 2015, Laura previously spent 5 years leading the wine development team at Tesco. She has also held significant roles at SPAR, HWCG and Sainsburys.

Laura’s specialities include UK bottling and all aspects of supermarket retailing and marketing. She became a Master of Wine in 1997 and has been closely involved with wine education through the Institute of Masters of Wine examination board and being Chair of the board of trustees of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust.

Aaron joined Wine Australia in 2016 with responsibility for the North America market. He previously specialised in premium Australian wine sales at Negociants USA, first as a Region Manager based in New York City and later as National Sales Manager overseeing a team of 8 field salespeople.

Aaron has nearly 20 years’ experience in the wine industry. Before moving to the USA in 2010, he worked at Clonakilla, Kamberra Winery, Jim Murphy’s Market Cellars and Camperdown Cellars.