South Australian wine professionals to gain international knowledge for our state

Four South Australian wine industry representatives have been selected to travel to some of the world’s most renowned wine regions to connect with international experts and explore new ideas and innovations.

The Great Wine Capitals Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program enables wine industry professionals, academics and researchers to visit world-renowned wine regions within the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, exchange knowledge with international peers and bring valuable insights back to South Australia.

The program offers valuable professional development opportunities that strengthen skills, encourage knowledge exchange, and enable insights to benefit the state’s wine sector and support its resilience.

Each bursary is valued at $6,000, supporting travel to one or more Great Wine Capitals between October 2026 and March 2027. During their travels, recipients will engage with academic, regional and industry experts, exchanging insights and gaining knowledge about global practices, sustainability, and innovation in viticulture, winemaking, tourism and research.

2026–27 Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program recipients:

Through these international exchanges, participants will collaborate with global wine professionals in their chosen destinations to deepen knowledge across viticulture, winemaking and wine tourism.

Jodie Armstrong from McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association will travel to Valparaiso-Casablanca Valley, Chile, to explore how to use regenerative soil health practices, along with water and climate knowledge, to build healthier, more resilient vineyards.

Nicole Brasier, who is senior winemaker at Bleasdale Vineyards in Langhorne Creek, will travel to Porto, Portugal, to explore how the historic fortified wine region has adapted to change while maintaining its traditions in a modern industry, remaining relevant and appealing to premium visitors.

Susi Whiting, Vineyard Technical Officer at Adelaide University, will visit Verona, Italy, to learn how vineyards are being used for practical teaching, research and industry engagement, including the region’s approaches to sustainability and adapting to climate change.

Luke Willis from Two Hands Wines in the Barossa will travel to Mendoza, Argentina – a renowned New World wine region known for its dry climate. Luke will explore how the region uses environmental sustainability practices and vineyard biodiversity to attract high-value international visitors and turn them into long-term direct-to-consumer customers and advocates.

The Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program is made possible through Adelaide’s membership of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, which brings together 11 internationally renowned wine regions, including Bordeaux and Napa Valley.

The program is supported by the Great Wine Capitals Adelaide Steering Committee, which is a partnership between the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, the South Australian Tourism Commission, the South Australian Wine Industry Association, and Adelaide University. Additional bursaries are generously supported by the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference and the Wine Grape Council of South Australia.

For more information visit: Outbound Knowledge Exchange.