The Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, has announced the names of the four new Directors of the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA).

The new directors are Mr. David Dearie, Managing Director of Eastwind Consulting and former CEO of Treasury Wine Estates; Mr. Keith Todd, General Manager Global Operations, Accolade Wines; Ms. Mary Retallack, Managing Director of Retallack Viticulture; and Mr. Edouard Peter, Chairman of Duxton Capital Singapore.

The four will replace outgoing directors Mr. John Casella, Mr. John Forrest, Mr. Ian Henderson and Ms. Janice McDonald and will stand for three years from 1 October this year.

Mr. Dearie, Mr. Todd, Ms. Retallack and Mr. Peter will further join existing and continuing directors Mr. Brian Walsh, current AGWA Chair; Ms. Eliza Brown, CEO of All Saints Estate and St Leonards Vineyards; Dr. Brian Croser, Chairman of Tapanappa and Tunkalilla Vineyards; and Mr. Kim Williams, Commissioner, Australian Football League and member of Executive Channel International.

“I am confident the blend of experience of the current directors and fresh perspectives of the new directors will ensure AGWA invests in research and development and marketing aimed at producing the best results for its levy payers”, Minister Joyce said.

“I look forward to working with the authority to deliver strong returns to growers and winemakers through the investments AGWA makes on their behalf.”