PETER HAYES
An overview from down under
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As honorary president of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the intergovernmental organisation of which the UK is now a member, Australian-based international viticulturist Peter Hayes is able to maintain a broad connection with a wide array of issues confronting the global grape and wine industry, as well as with the experts within OIV member countries. With his experience mentoring the UK sector through the WineSkills programme, his elevated position and ‘birds’ eye’ view, Vineyard asks Peter Hayes for his valuable perspective on the UK industry.
What positions do you currently hold? Beyond describing my prime focus as ‘assiduously avoiding retirement’, I maintain a wide range of interests and engagement across the wine sector, including university committees (Charles Sturt University, Australia). I am currently the Presiding Member for the Wine Australia Board Selection Committee, which nominates candidates for appointment to the Wine Australia Board, by the federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management; am the Independent
Chair of the industry representative body Australian Grape & Wine, AGW’s Code Management Committee which encourages best-practice commercial interactions between grape growers and wine producers, and I am an AGW nominee to Wine Australia’ Geographic Indications Committee. Internationally, I remain involved with the OIV, particularly through its Commission 1, Viticulture Expert Groups and I am currently President of ‘Lien de la Vigne’/’VineLink’, an organisation fostering public institution-private company engagement, communications and focus on critical issues for the wine sector.
