Meet our champions, and consider your nominations for 2026!
In recognition of 125 years of keeping South Australian phylloxera free in, Vinehealth Australia announce the first annual Biosecurity Champion Award in 2024. This annual competition is open to South Australian vineyard owners, winemakers, contractors, consultants, suppliers and researchers. It aims to raise awareness of the role of biosecurity in sustaining South Australian vineyards.
The coveted title of Vinehealth Australia Biosecurity Champion is awarded each year to the person who demonstrates outstanding achievements in biosecurity practices
Meet our Champions!
2025 – Craig Markby (Henschke, Adelaide Hills) won the 2025 Vinehealth Biosecurity Champion Award, recognised for his outstanding leadership in protecting vineyards from pests and diseases. Craig’s achievements span practical vineyard measures, structured staff training, and groundbreaking innovation projects including clonal DNA work, virus standards, outbreak simulations, and hyperspectral imaging. His work has not only strengthened the health and longevity of the Henschke vineyards but also delivered significant benefits to the wider industry through propagation health and leadership in preparedness.
2024 – Congratulations to Wirra Wirra Viticulturist Anton Groffen, the winner of the inaugural 2024 Vinehealth Australia Biosecurity Champion Award. Read about Anton’s work to keep Wirra Wirra vineyards safe from pest and disease threats here.
Nominations for 2026
Do you know a vineyard owner or winemaker who goes above and beyond to protect South Australia’s wine industry from biosecurity threats? Or are you leading the charge in your business?
Vinehealth Australia will open nominations for the 2026 Biosecurity champion Award in July 2025 – to celebrate individuals and businesses who demonstrate outstanding commitment, leadership and innovation in biosecurity.
Whether it’s robust farm-gate hygiene, staff training, installing signage, visitor protocols or new approaches to pest, disease and weed prevention, we want to hear your story.
Who can enter?
- South Australian Vineyard Owners
- South Australian Winemakers
- South Australian Industry Professionals (e.g., Consultants and Viticulturists)
Entries open: July 2026 – stay tuned
Prize: The winner will be announced at the South Australian Wine Industry Dinner and will receive an engraved Vinehealth Australia trophy to proudly display in their business.
About the Award
In recognition of 125 years of keeping South Australian phylloxera free in 2024, Vinehealth Australia announce the annual Biosecurity Champion Award in 2024.
This annual competition is open to South Australian vineyard owners, winemakers, contractors, consultants, suppliers and researchers. It aims to raise awareness of the role of biosecurity in sustaining South Australian vineyards.
The coveted title of Vinehealth Australia Biosecurity Champion is awarded each year to the person who demonstrates outstanding achievements in biosecurity practices. The winner will receive a trophy to display in their business. The winner will also be profiled in Vinehealth Australia’s e-news.
The competition will assess biosecurity and farm-gate hygiene knowledge and activities across multiple categories, including pest and disease management and prevention.
Entrants will be judged on the implementation of practices and awareness of phylloxera and other invasive species. Novel biosecurity techniques and practices will be looked upon favourably.
Each year, a unique trophy is created for our winning Biosecurity Champion using a piece of glass art from a local South Australian artist. Emma Klau’s ‘Kinetic Decanter’ was featured in 2024, while our 2025 award was based around Llewelyn Ash’s ‘Lucky Drop’.