History & Membership

WFA was created in 1989, as the Federation of Australian Winemaker Associations, by bringing together the Australian Wine & Brandy Producers’ Association, the Australian Winemakers’ Forum, and the Wine & Brandy Co-operative Producers’ Association of Australia.

The name changed to the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia in 1990, but the rationale for its existence remained the same. The three antecedent organisations recognised that, no matter how well they represented their constituencies, there was greater advantage in a single and united voice.

Initially, each formed an Electoral College and nominated representatives to the Federation to make decisions on policy and strategic issues on behalf of the whole industry. However, a new structure soon evolved, and state associations now play a vital role.

On 6 December 2006, members voted to further change the Federation’s organisational structure by creating three membership categories:

• Small membership category - below 2,000 tonnes
• Medium membership category - 2,000 to100,000 tonnes
• Large membership category - above 100,000 tonnes

As a membership organisation, WFA takes its authority from the Associations Incorporations Act, 1985 (SA). Our Constitution (PDF), also adopted on 6 December 2006, is derived from that Act.

WFA has been served by 13 presidents since its formation: