New CEO for Wine Victoria

Natalie O’Brien, AM appointed as CEO of Wine Victoria 

Wine Victoria has appointed former long serving Melbourne Food and Wine Festival CEO  Natalie O’Brien AM as their CEO. During her 15-year tenure at MFWF Natalie elevated the  festival to become Australia’s premier food and wine event and oversaw the incorporation  of the organisation and its extended remit to become Food and Wine Victoria.  

Since her time at Food and Wine Victoria, Natalie has consulted across the food, wine and  tourism sectors for Development Victoria, Ballarat Tourism, Global Table, Department of  Economic Development and Jobs and the Western Australian Government. Natalie was  awarded on Order of Australia for her contribution to wine, tourism and community in 2019  and is highly regarded across government and the food and wine industries. 

“I am delighted to be joining the state’s peak body for wine producers and growers to advocate and collaborate on behalf of the sector. While I know the industry well, I am looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the current issues, opportunities and meeting many of the members across the state. It is an exciting opportunity to lead an organisation that represents such an important industry for Victoria”, said O’Brien. 

“I am delighted to have someone’s of Natalie’s calibre join Wine Victoria to help us drive the  advocacy of this important sector on behalf of our members. Natalie is an innovative leader  who brings a highly sought-after skill set to the role. The team and I are looking forward to  working with Natalie to bring continued growth and benefits to the industry” Stephanie  Duboudin, Chair Wine Victoria  

The Board of Wine Victoria acknowledges the significant contribution that Rachael Sweeney has made to the Association over her long tenure, ensuring through advocacy and relationships with government that the strategic priorities of the state’s wine sector remained a priority for policy and funding. 

Natalie will be joining Wine Victoria at the start of May.  

Wine Victoria is the peak body representing the Victorian wine industry. Wine Victoria  advocates on behalf of the wine industry ensuring our members remain a high priority with  the Victorian Government and our national governing bodies.