from Veda वेद 'knowledge' in Sanskrit.
A 2 day Foundations of Leadership
for Early-Career Wine Professionals
McLaren Vale’s strength lies not just in its vines, but in its people.
Following the success of the 2024 Next Crop program for established leaders, this new initiative supports the next tier of regional leadership: emerging managers and early-career professionals working across vineyard, winery, and cellar door operations.
This 2-day immersive course builds leadership capability at the grassroots level — where culture is lived, brand stories are told, and the future is shaped in real time.
The Cultivate Series
Day 1
Leading Self & Creating Culture
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From peer to leader – the leadership identity shift
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Emotional intelligence & presence for hospitality leadership
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Creating and protecting team culture
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Storytelling & embedding regional pride
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Experiential role-play: cellar door team briefings
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Guest Voices from the Region: Local leaders share how self-leadership, attitude, and storytelling shape strong culture and customer connection
Day 2
Leading Others, Driving Results
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Understanding the business of wine – local to global
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Insights from regional wine sector leaders
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Decision-making & feedback under pressure
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The Sales Card Challenge: → Teams use the 40-card deck to co-create actionable cellar door & in-store strategies
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Leading up, leading out – communicating across levels
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Final wrap-up with leadership action plans
“There’s still a huge gap between knowledge, service and story across our region. Early leaders need to understand the ‘why’ behind our industry, speak with confidence, and back it up with clarity, training, and connection to place. That’s how we lift the whole region.”
— Wayne McAuliffe, Bekkers Wine
“Most first-time managers start at the cellar door, where leadership isn’t about your title — it’s about jumping in, setting the tone, and showing pride in where you’re from. When you lead by example, communicate well, and bring that real warmth, customers feel it — and so does your team.”
— Jeremy Maxwell, Maxwell Wines
“Sometimes new managers just need permission — to lead, to speak up, to pivot when things change. The biggest growth comes when people feel safe to be real, to give and receive feedback, and to bring others along on the journey."
— Holly Marquis, Mollydooker Wines
More than a leadership course.
This program is an investment in McLaren Vale’s future.
As the region faces economic shifts, evolving tourism, and talent retention challenges, strong leadership across all areas of the wine industry is more important than ever. This program equips emerging managers — in cellar door, vineyard, production, and operations — with the confidence, communication skills, and local context to lead well.
It strengthens individual businesses and reinforces the region’s reputation by ensuring its values, hospitality, and identity are consistently reflected — from vineyard to visitor experience.
Shaped by local voices and created with the industry, this is a program for McLaren Vale — cultivating the next generation of leaders to carry its story forward.
Course Dates
28 - 29 May, 2026
Investment
$650 per participant
Location
Top House @ Coriole Vineyards
Chaffeys Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171
