The peak body for wine makers in Australia has made some new appointments including a new member to its growing environmental team.

The Wine Federation of Australia (WFA) has appointed Andrew Wilsmore as general manager, policy and government relations, while Nick Carne recently filled the new position of manager, communications.

Wilsmore has been based in Canberra for the past 11 years, most recently in management and policy roles with the National Farmers’ Federation and previously worked with the Australian Hotels Association.

“Andrew will lead our policy and government relations team in Canberra and will be central to presenting and representing the wine industry’s position on key issues such as taxation, industry restructuring, and environmental and social responsibility,” said WFA’s chief executive, Stephen Strachan.

Also joining the federation is Damien Griffante, who takes on the newly created role of national resource management coordinator.

In his new role Griffante will be involved with the development of the Australian Wine Environment Stewardship Program, which is being led by WFA’s director, natural resources, Amy Russell.

Australian Wine Environmental Stewardship (AWES) is the Australian wine industry’s voluntary environmental certification scheme. It will give Australian wineries a system comparable with that of other environmentally-aware wine producing countries.

In October 2008 the WFA secured a short-term grant through the Federal Government’s Caring for our Country program to develop AWES for a broad industry rollout.

Pilot studies will be in place by mid year and the full program is expected to be up and running by vintage 2010 according to Russell.

A draft Winery Code, Viticulture Code and Viticulture Workbook are nearing completion, with a Winery Code workbook to follow.

WFA is the national peak body for the wine industry, representing Australia’s wineries on all national and international issues. It operates by voluntary membership with specific representation for small, medium and large producers. Membership collectively accounts for over 90% of wine production in Australia.