The Art and Science of Sustainable Wine Business and Tourism
Proudly brought to you by Great Wine Capitals and delivered by Adelaide University.
Domestic and international customer preferences in wine and wine tourism experiences are changing rapidly. Meanwhile, the South Australian wine industry must quickly identify and respond to new and emerging demands and expectations to keep customers engaged and to stay ahead of the game.
This 6-day executive business program is an educational offering from Great Wine Capitals, and was carefully designed by Adelaide University’s world-class wine business and tourism experts for the South Australian context.
The first edition of the program in 2025 was received positively by participants and industry alike. Participants reported increased business, tourism and wine knowledge, and business confidence levels, and 97% reported having a great program experience.
The program will equip participants with best practice knowledge to:
- develop or strengthen an entrepreneurial mindset
- build brand reputation
- design effective digital communication strategies
- identify appropriate distribution channels
- learn how to best negotiate with channel partners
- develop engaging cellar door and tourism experiences
- optimise the use of available resources.
On completion, participants will be better positioned to handle the growing complexities of the industry, achieve more with fewer resources, build leadership and personal capabilities, improve their organisation’s performance, and successfully combine evidence-based data and creative ideas for business success.
2026 Scholarship recipients
Ben Shaw - Home of Plenty (Currency Creek)
Ben Shaw is the founder of Home of Plenty in McLaren Vale. Born into a multi-generational wine family, he grew up working in vineyards across McLaren Vale and Currency Creek before gaining international hospitality experience in Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Asia.
He later returned to Adelaide to study Marketing and Management at the University of South Australia, followed by over a decade working with Red Bull across sales, marketing, events and partnerships in both Adelaide and Sydney.
During the COVID-19 period, Ben began developing the Home of Plenty brand, which he established and brought to market before opening the Home of Plenty cellar door.
Charlie O'Brien - Silent Noise (McLaren Vale)
Charlie O’Brien grew up immersed in the wine industry at his family’s winery in McLaren Vale, where he developed a strong passion for winemaking from an early age. This foundation led him to establish his own wine label, Silent Noise.
Silent Noise has grown, with wines sold across Australia and exported to markets including the UK, New Zealand and Denmark. Charlie has quickly built a reputation as one of the region’s most exciting young winemakers.
Emma Hart – Down the Rabbit Hole Wines (McLaren Vale)
Emma Hart is the Head of Marketing at Down the Rabbit Hole Wines in McLaren Vale, bringing over a decade of experience across marketing, sales and business development in a range of industries. She transitioned into the wine sector three years ago and has since established herself as a strategic and creative leader.
Emma also contributes to the industry through her role as a committee member the committee for the McLaren Vale Grape & Wine Tourism Association (MVGWTA). Her approach to marketing is grounded in understanding people, telling authentic stories, and maintaining a clear, long-term vision, combining strong strategy with bold execution.
Jessica Nicholls - Kimbolton Wines (Langhorne Creek)
Jessica Nicholls works at Kimbolton Wines in Langhorne Creek, where she creates welcoming and engaging cellar door experiences that showcase the region, its wines, and its stories.
After more than a decade in leadership roles at PwC across Australia and New Zealand, Jessica has made a purposeful transition into the wine industry. She brings strong commercial, operational, and people-focused expertise.
Madison Pike - Pikes Group (Clare Valley)
Madison Pike is the Marketing Manager for the Pikes Group of Companies in the Clare Valley, where she leads marketing across Pikes Wines, Pikes Beer Co., and Slate Restaurant. She brings a strong background in wine marketing, with a focus on brand storytelling, digital campaigns, and event delivery.
Megan Paisley - Sommeliers Australia
Originally from Ireland, Megan Paisley brings extensive international experience across Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, and premium wineries in Ireland, the UK, and Australia. She holds a First-Class Honours degree in Culinary Entrepreneurship from TU Dublin and has a strong background in team leadership, training, and guest experience.
Priscila Cunha - Skillogalee (Clare Valley)
Priscila Cunha is a hospitality leader based in South Australia, currently serving as Executive Hospitality Manager at Skillogalee in the Clare Valley. She oversees front-of-house operations across multiple venues, bringing strong operational expertise, team leadership, and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
With extensive experience across restaurants, cellar doors, hotels, and events, Priscila has developed a well-rounded understanding of the hospitality and tourism sector. She also brings a background in public relations, having worked with global agencies including Hill+Knowlton and Ogilvy PR.
Sally McDonald - Zema Estate (Coonawarra)
Sally McDonald is the Marketing, Events and Club Manager at Zema Estate in the Coonawarra, focused on driving direct-to-consumer growth and strengthening brand performance in a competitive global wine market.
With a background in design and marketing across Adelaide, London and Sydney, including roles with SA Life Magazine, Lidl and Vodafone, she brings a strong commercial and creative perspective to the wine industry.
She is also an active contributor to the Coonawarra region, serving on the Vignerons events committee and co-founding the Woof and Wine Walk, attracting new audiences and increasing regional visitation.
Samantha Cartwright - Gibson Wines (Barossa)
Samantha Cartwright works at the intersection of wine, strategy and curiosity at Gibson Wines in the Barossa Valley. She focuses on direct-to-consumer channels, connecting people to place through wine while building systems that support small wine businesses to grow and scale.
With a strong interest in tourism trends, vineyard soils and data-driven insights, Samantha brings a thoughtful and analytical approach to the industry.
Stephen Lindner - Turkey Flat Vineyards (Barossa)
Steve Lindner is the General Manager at Turkey Flat Vineyards in the Barossa, bringing a lifelong connection to the wine industry through his family’s ties to local wineries. He studied Wine Marketing at Adelaide University and gained early experience in the Clare Valley before returning to the Barossa to work alongside respected wineries and mentors.
Steve has previously contributed to regional tourism association boards and is now firmly based in the Barossa, where he also manages a small vineyard in his spare time.
Photo credit: Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australian Tourism Commission
