Now in its second year, the 2026 Great Wine Capitals Executive Business Program provides valuable upskilling and career development opportunities for early- to mid-career wine and tourism industry professionals in Adelaide, South Australia.
This forward-thinking initiative is aimed at empowering professionals to strengthen the South Australia state’s wine and tourism sectors, and to develop the adaptability, knowledge and resilience to better prepare for future challenges and opportunities in their industry.
The Great Wine Capitals Executive Business Program is an initiative of the Adelaide, South Australia chapter of Great Wine Capitals, proudly delivered by Adelaide University.
Wine and tourism industry professionals from seven different South Australian wine regions were awarded scholarships. Applicants from other industries with transferrable skills and an interest in transitioning into the wine and tourism sectors were also considered, in a bid to attract and support new talent for the industry.
The 2026 Great Wine Capitals Executive Business Program scholarship recipients are:
- Ben Shaw – Currency Creek
- Charlie O’Brien – McLaren Vale
- Emma Hart – McLaren Vale
- Jessica Nicholls – Langhorne Creek
- Madison Pike – Clare Valley
- Megan Paisley – Adelaide Hills
- Priscila Tamara Diniz – Clare Valley
- Sally McDonald – Coonawarra
- Samantha Cartwright – Barossa
- Stephen Lindner – Barossa
The program will run over six days in May 2026, during which scholarship recipients will learn how to identify new opportunities, adopt sustainable practices, negotiate effectively, and build their brand.
In the final masterclass, participants will connect with a curated group of internationally renowned speakers from the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, including those from South Australia and from other leading wine regions worldwide.
Adelaide’s membership of the network is made possible thanks to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australian Tourism Commission, the South Australian Wine Industry Association, and Adelaide University.
Photo credit: Small Batch Wine Tours, Fleurieu Peninsula