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2023 AWRI Board election result

An election for a position on the AWRI Board was recently held in the medium Wine Grapes Levy payer category (2,001 – 50,000 tonnes). Nominations were also called for candidates to contest an election in the small Wine Grape Levy payer category (up to 2,000 tonnes). Only one nomination was received in that category and therefore the candidate was automatically elected.

The AWRI is pleased to announce that Brett McClen (Brown Family Wine Group, Vic.) was re-elected in the medium category and Corrina Wright (Oliver’s Taranga and Oliver & Press Winemakers, SA) was re-elected in the small category.

Brett McClen is Head of Viticulture and Sustainability for Brown Family Wine Group. In this role he oversees all the company’s grapegrowing across a total of 830 ha of vineyards located across the Murray Valley, King Valley, Heathcote and Tasmania. He is also responsible for the company’s sustainability agenda as well as the Infrastructure and Reliability portfolio. Brett has an Honours degree in Agriculture Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He has served two terms as a Director of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and one term as a Director of the AWRI.
Corrina Wright is winemaker and director at the helm of sixth generation family business, Oliver’s Taranga, plus new contract processing facility Oliver & Press Winemakers in McLaren Vale. She was awarded the ASVO Winemaker of the Year 2019 for her contribution to the wine community. She graduated from the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2005 and continues to judge and chair numerous wine shows around Australia. Her commitment to the wine industry in Australia was rewarded with a position on the inaugural ‘Future Leaders – Succession for the Australian Wine Industry’ program in 2006. Passionate about her home, her vocation and local community she has also served on the boards of the McLaren Vale Grape, Wine & Tourism Association, the Australian Society of Viticulture & Oenology, Family Business Australia, and the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia. She is currently part of the Australian Women in Wine Awards advisory board, the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion committee for Australian Grape & Wine and has served one term as a Director of the AWRI.

Both Directors will commence their new elected terms on 1 January 2024. The term of outgoing Board member Liz Riley concluded on 31 October 2023 following 12 years on the AWRI Board, and the term of Nigel Sneyd will conclude on 31 December 2023. The AWRI thanks Liz and Nigel for their significant contributions over their time on the AWRI Board.