2026 – 2027 Outbound Knowledge Bursary Program
The Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program aims to facilitate reciprocal knowledge sharing within the Great Wine Capitals Global Network . Adelaide, South Australia has been a member of the network since 2016, sitting alongside 10 other Capitals home to the world’s best wine regions.
International Exchange Opportunity
The Outbound Knowledge Exchange Bursary Program is an opportunity for wine industry professionals in South Australia to travel overseas to other Great Wine Capitals, explore new ideas and innovations, build capacity through international experience and knowledge exchange, and share South Australian expertise on the global stage. It is intended to support individuals who may not otherwise have access to this sort of opportunity and/or to enable topics to be studied that may not otherwise be supported.
Bursary recipients
Jodie Armstrong
Jodie Armstrong from the 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.
Organisation / Company: McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association
Role: Grower Engagement officer
Region : McLaren Vale
Destination: Valparaiso – Casablanca Valley, Chile
Topic: Explore how McLaren Vale (and the wider SA wine industry) can use regenerative soil health practice, water and climate knowledge, site evidence and provenance systems to build more resilient vineyards and a more credible districts narrative.
Supported by: Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference
Nicole Brasier
Senior winemaker from Bleasdale Vineyards in Langhorne Creek, Nicole Brasier, 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.
Organisation / Company: Bleasdale Vineyards
Role: Senior Winemaker
Region: Langhorne Creek
Destination: Porto, Portugal
Topic: Explore how the historic fortified region of Porto has adapted to change and kept with traditions in a modern industry, remaining relevant and appealing to premium visitors
Susi Whiting
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 approaches to sustainability and adapting to climate change. Susi will gather insights to help shape the redevelopment and future use of the Adelaide University vineyard.
Organisation / Company: Adelaide University
Role: Vineyard Technical Officer
Region : Adelaide
Destination: Verona, Italy
Topic: Explore how teaching and research vineyards are being used to support practical viticulture education, sustainability, climate adaptation and industry engagement. She plans to visit wine education, research and industry sites in the Verona region to gather practical ideas that could inform the redevelopment and future use of the Adelaide University vineyard.
Supported by: Wine Grape Council of South Australia
Luke Willis
Finally, Luke Willis from Two Hands Wines in the Barossa will travel to Mendoza, Argentina - a widely recognised New World wine region known for its dry climate. He will explore how the region uses environmental sustainability and vineyard biodiversity to attract high-value international visitors and turn them into long-term direct-to-consumer customers and advocates.
Organisation / Company: Two Hands Wines
Role: Direct To Consumer Manager
Region : Barossa
Destination: Mendoza, Argentina
Topic: Investigate how Mendoza, a premier, New World, arid wine region, successfully commercialises environmental sustainability and deep vineyard biodiversity to capture high net worth international travellers and convert them into long-term, high value Direct-to-Consumer advocates.
Program details
Bursary recipients will be given the opportunity to travel to one or more Great Wine Capitals to exchange ideas and expand their networks.
The program provides a bursary of $6,000 for travel between October 2026 and March 2027.
During their travels, bursary recipients will connect with leading industry, regional and academic experts, sharing their own insights while gaining valuable knowledge about global practices, innovations, and operations in their chosen field.
On return, recipients must submit a report on the costs and benefits of their travel, publish a feature-length blog with images or video, and present their learnings at a relevant regional or industry event to share insights and build capability within their field in South Australia.
The program is supported by Great Wine Capitals Adelaide, South Australia which is a partnership between the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australian Tourism Commission, South Australian Wine Industry Association and Adelaide University. An additional bursary is generously supported by the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference.
Be inspired by past bursary recipients
The alumni of bursary recipients are located across South Australian wine regions, and are active in a number of areas of the wine and wine tourism industries. What they have in common is a curiosity about what South Australia can share with as well as learn from other Great Wine Capitals.
Discover the insights they gathered through their international exchanges, and their ideas about how South Australia can harness these insights and apply them to help shape the future of the local industry:
- Read more on our Great Wine Capital Blog.
- Watch the 2024–25 Outbound Knowledge Exchange videos.
- Watch the 2023 Outbound Knowledge Exchange videos.
Testimonials
Sarah Lavelle from Sevenhill Cellars travelled to Napa Valley:
Thanks to the Adelaide Great Wine Capitals Outbound Knowledge Exchange program, I had the opportunity to step outside the domestic market and take a closer look at how the world’s leading wine regions are navigating the same challenges we’re facing at home.
Hanne Norvag Thomas from Langhorne Creek Wine Region travelled to Hawke’s Bay:
The lessons learned from my time in Hawke’s Bay proved invaluable to help develop and drive Langhorne Creek’s own tourism strategy. We can draw inspiration from the premium, personalised tasting experiences and the community-focused trail model of Hawke’s Bay Trails… Working alongside local government and the Ngarrindjeri nation will also be essential in honouring our indigenous heritage, just as Hawke’s Bay has worked successfully with the Māori community.
Tyson Bitter from Treasury Wine Estates travelled to Porto:
The insights gained from this experience will … support South Australia’s efforts to build climate resilience, and contribute to the ongoing rejuvenation of the fortified category. This visit has delivered significant long‑term benefits to my work, deepening my understanding of both traditional and modern winemaking techniques while reinforcing the value of thinking boldly and creatively.
Suzanne McLoughlin from the Australian Wine Research Institute travelled to Hawke’s Bay:
Many thanks to the Great Wine Capitals Outbound Knowledge Exchange program for offering these opportunities as it’s not until you get out of your ‘bubble’ that you can truly reflect on both what you need to be thankful for, and where you need to be spending the effort to prevent issues others grapple with on a daily basis.
Photo: Tyson Bitter visiting a wine museum in Porto
