NEWS: Applications Open for the 2026 Wine Industry Mentor Program

The 2026 intake for the Wine Industry Mentor Program is now open, welcoming applications from both mentors and mentees across all sectors of the grape and wine community, including viticulture, winemaking, research, logistics, marketing, sales, hospitality, media, and related fields.

The structured six-month program runs from June to November 2026 and provides participants with regular mentor meetings, targeted professional development sessions, and access to a suite of resources via the program’s dedicated online mentoring platform.

Managed by Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA), the program is a national initiative designed to accelerate the growth and professional capability of emerging wine industry professionals.

Previous participants have described the program as transformative. Hylton Li, a 2025 mentee, said:

“During this program, I was able to qualify for two distinct roles within the wine industry, a goal I wasn’t sure was achievable before we started. Beyond the professional wins, [my mentor] created a space where I felt truly supported. I have invited her to attend my wedding as a testament to how meaningful this relationship has become.”

Emma Hart, another 2025 mentee, highlighted the program’s impact on her professional development:

“The space you created for reflection helped me move from reactive to proactive thinking, and your encouragement to approach important leadership conversations made a genuine difference and sparked a fire in me that simply wasn’t there before.”

The Wine Industry Mentor Program is proudly supported by WCA, Wine Australia, Adelaide University, the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology, and the Wine Industry Suppliers Association.

Interested mentors and mentees can apply through the WCA website. 

Applications for the 2026 program close on 12 April 2026.