ASVO Board Directors

The Executive Board sets the strategic direction for ASVO, approves the annual budget, and acts on matters of policy to advance Society objectives as specified by the Bylaws. The Executive Board is the managing body of the Society.

The Executive Board includes three general directors, four regional directors and two appointed directos

Dr Samantha Scarratt
President 

 

Term: Elected General Director 2023
Qualifications: BS (Biology), PhD
Other appointments: Chief Executive Officer of Vinehealth Australia

In my role as a Senior Consultant at Wine Network Consulting and former Director of Grape Supply for Accolade Wines across ANZ, I have cultivated a rich and diverse career in the wine industry. My experience spans both small and large wine businesses, where I've successfully led teams of over 100 individuals, overseeing the delivery of 250,000 tonnes of grapes to winery networks. My responsibilities encompassed safety, people, budgeting, strategic planning, viticulture operations, and the sale and acquisition of company owned vineyards. I also played a pivotal role in the negotiation of Australia's most significant winegrape contract.

My career in viticulture includes various roles such as Viticulture Manager at Lion, hands-on Vineyard Manager at a boutique vineyard, as well as positions in Grower Management and Technical Viticulture. I've also been the owner-operator of a technical viticulture consulting business and served on Research Advisory Committees for the Australian and New Zealand wine industries for over a decade. I have developed strong working relationships in the wine industry

 

Andy Clarke
Vice President



 

 

Term:Elected Regional Director -Victoria 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
Qualifications: B. Ag. Science (viticulture), Nuffield Scholar 2015
Other appointments: Director of Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference

Mr Andy Clarke is the Agtech Program Manager for Wine Australia, based in Bendigo Victoria and has a keen interest in seeing wine businesses adopt innovation a viticultural advisor. He has over 20 years’ experience in vineyard production and development across Victoria and South Australia. Andy operated his own business The Dirt Dude Ag Advisors, is a former CEO of AgTech startup GAIA Innovations and has vast experience in the wine biosecurity space, including roles on the VVBC and Vinehealth board. In 2015 Andy was the Wine Australia Nuffield Scholar and in 2019 completed the Future Leaders Program.

Alana Seabrook
Secretary & Public Officer

 


 

Term: Elected Regional Director – South Australia 2020, 2022, 2024
Qualifications: BSc Hons (Viticulture and Oenology) PhD, MBA
Other appointments:Treasurer 2024, 2025; ASVO Oenology seminar committee 2018; ASVO Winemaking paper of the year advisory committee member 2017 and 2018

Dr Alana Seabrook has worked in the wine industry for the past 20 years in winemaking, wine research and application, wine microbiology, diagnostics and laboratory. After completing a winemaking degree through the university of Verona, Italy, she completed a PhD in wine microbiology at the University of Adelaide and went on to work in industry in various production-based roles. Alana worked as the technical manager for Laffort Australia from 2017 to 2022 at which point she moved into the Winechek laboratories group from January 2022. In her role at Winechek, she operates from the Barossa Valley and works alongside a national team of wine scientists who specialise in microbiology, biochemistry, oenology, molecular biology, and chemistry. They support wineries throughout Australia by providing analytical data and optimizing their processes.

 

Colin Hinze
Treasurer


 

 

Term: Elected General Director 2025
Qualifications: B.Ag.Sci (Viticulture)
Other appointments: Viti of the Year award advisory committee member 2017 & 18, 
Wine Science and Technology award advisory committee member 2022/23, chair 24
 

Colin Hinze is an experienced viticulture leader with over 30 years in vineyard management, technical innovation, and industry advisory roles across South Australia’s key wine regions. As Viticulture Manager at Sidewood Estate in the Adelaide Hills, he oversees conventional and organic wine grape production and certification programs. Colin has also held senior roles with Pinion Advisory, Bird in Hand Wines, Taylors Wines, and Southcorp Wines, contributing to advancements in precision viticulture and grower engagement. He brings strong expertise in sustainability, strategic resource management, and industry development to the ASVO Board.

 

Jeremy Dineen


 

 

Term: Elected Regional Director - Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland 2022, 2024
Qualifications:
Other appointments:

Jeremy has contributed to the Tasmanian and Australian Wine industries for many years though industry bodies and committees, including chairing the Wine Tasmania Technical committee for 5 years, founding Effervescence Tasmania, been a Board Member of Wine Tasmania, involved in the Cool Climate Wine Symposium, and contributed to several Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference program committees.
Jeremy has collaborated with local and national research originations, including Australian Wine Research Institute and Tasmanian Institute of Agricultre as well as contributing to ASVO on the Australian Wine Show Technical Advisory Group and the Advanced Wine Assessment Course scholarship advisory panel.  Jeremy has a strong commitment to mentoring and developing local individuals.

 

    
Cate Looney


 

Term: Elected General Director 2025
Qualifications: B.WineSci. DAppSc(Food Tech)
Other Appointments: Secretary Australian Sparkling Wine Show

Cate Looney is the Head of Winemaking and Engineering with the Brown Family Wine Group, at Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley. A graduate in Wine Science from Charles Sturt University. Cate has been with the Brown Family Wine Group for 20 years managing a team of winemakers, a 20,000T winery site that produces over 10 million bottles of wine per year. Awarded the 2020 Winemaker of the Year at the Women in Wine Awards, has extensive experience as a wine show judge, is the Secretary of the Australian Sparkling Wine Show Committee and sits on the Charles Sturt University Wine Course Advisory Committee.

 

Chrissie Smith


 

Term: Elected Regioanl Director  NSW 2024
Qualifications: BA of Viticulture at Charles Sturt; Diploma of Community Service Coordination and Cert 4 Training and assessing
Other appointments:Committee member Canberra District Viticulture society, Committee member Canberra and Region Wine Show, Wine Australia Gender equality research project advisory group member

Skill set in Community Service, Business Management, Wine Sales and Marketing, Winemaking and Viticulture. Owner/winemaker at Intrepidus wines, vineyard manager at Shaw Estate as well as vineyard contracting and consulting Canberra District and surrounds. Trained under companies such as Clonakilla, Ravensworth, Collector Wines, Castle Rock Estate. Sydney Royal Scholarship to complete AWAC, completed WSET 2, regularly associate judge. Australian Womens Small Business Championship finalist 2024.

'Honoured and excited to be elected as the NSW/ACT ASVO representative. I was fortunate enough to have some skilled, collaborative and supportive mentors throughout my introduction into the wine industry and I look forward to being able to give some back to industry, especially those starting out."

 

Chris Waters

Executive Director
 

Qualifications: B.Ed. (Hons)
 

Chris Waters has been involved with the ASVO since 2011. Chris puts into action strategies that support and enhance the ASVO operations.  Chris oversees all aspects of the ASVO, promoting its mission and objectives, maintaining positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, achieving organisational goals, and maintaining sound financial practices.