Through the Grapevine with Maggie Jarrett
What's it like to be a young professional in the vibrant world of Australian wine? Our ‘Through the Grapevine’ interview series explores the diverse career paths, inspiring stories, and innovative ideas of the individuals shaping the industry's future. Together, we're growing the future of wine.
First up is Maggie Jarrett, Sustainability and Export Manager of See Saw Wines
“One of the greatest impacts I saw the project have was the amazing community we now have of younger wine professionals in NSW who are super supportive of each other and flourishing in their careers in the wine industry.”
Q: Maggie, you played a key role in bringing the Rootlings network to life in NSW while working at the NSW Department of Primary Industries. What inspired you to champion this initiative? What need did you see in the wine community?
From a sustainability perspective I saw an issue with the industry attracting and retaining the next generation of employees, at the same time my stakeholders were expressing the need for more skilled and semi-skilled employees. At the same time, within my role at NSW DPI, I hosted and attended many workshops and events and was very aware that there were no other young people like me in the room in those environments. I saw Rootlings as an opportunity to ensure that anyone under 35 who was in or joining the industry had access to information and education, improved understanding around career pathways and growth opportunities, connection to peers and mentors, and ultimately allowed for the next generation to feel empowered and included within the wine industry.
What are you most proud of achieving with the Rootlings Pilot Program? What impact has it had on young professionals in the NSW wine industry?
From the outset of running this project, we ensured it was very participant-led. This is probably what I am most proud of, as we had exceptional engagement. I put that down to listening to the next generation’s needs, knowledge gaps and aspirations to tailor the events and activities throughout the project. One of the greatest impacts I saw the project have was the amazing community we now have of younger wine professionals in NSW who are super supportive of each other and flourishing in their careers in the wine industry. On top of this, the project broke down the silos within the various parts of the industry, and we saw participants gain a new understanding and empathy towards the different challenges faced by individuals in the multiple roles they worked in.
What role do you hope Rootlings plays in supporting the next generation of wine professionals?
I truly hope that this program helps the next generation of wine professionals feel empowered and included in the industry. Enabling the next gen with access to connection, education, knowledge and the tools to influence decision-making, I hope, will create an environment in which we retain our current workforce and engage entirely new and diverse professionals. I think this will also help us tackle some of the wicked challenges the industry currently faces!
Your background includes experience at the NSW Department of Primary Industries and now See Saw Wines. Can you describe your career journey and how you arrived at your current role as Sustainability and Export Manager?
I completed an Environmental Management Degree just as COVID19 descended on Australia. I actually had no plans to join the wine industry even though I grew up in it. However, at that time, new grads were competing with people with 20+ years of experience, and it was pretty tricky to get a job. All of my work experience was in vineyards and sustainability, so I was very fortunate to gain a role with NSW DPI as their sustainability and biosecurity viticulture development officer. With that, my career journey began, and I wouldn’t change a thing! I have had the privilege of travelling around NSW and broader Australia, understanding some of the biggest challenges we are facing, jetting overseas to the US to complete a vintage and now managing export and sustainability for my family business, See Saw Wines. I now get to help make changes in a business that positively impacts the environment and, at the same time, share the See Saw story around the world. Plus, I also get to share how amazing the Orange, NSW and Australian wine industry is!
What were some of the key experiences or mentors that shaped your career path?
“My mum Pip and dad Justin, have probably played the biggest role, with their passion for the industry, innovative mindsets and care for our planet is something that has been embedded into my everyday thinking. “
In the five years I have been in the industry, there have been many people who have helped shape my career path. A shoutout to Liz Riley, Angus Barnes and Cath Oates who have all played a role in the pivotal moments in my career. Cath was my assigned mentor through the Wine Industry Mentor Program, which I highly recommend to any younger people joining the industry. (Note: You can check out this program here). Most importantly though, my mum Pip and dad Justin, have probably played the biggest role, with their passion for the industry, innovative mindsets and care for our planet is something that has been embedded into my everyday thinking.
Sustainability is a core value at See Saw. Can you elaborate on the winery's sustainability practices and what they mean to you? How are these practices implemented in the vineyard, the winery, and beyond?
A core pillar of the See Saw business is thriving responsibly. To us this means balancing our business success whilst providing for the well-being of our employees, making excellent products, being a good force in the community and protecting nature. We break this down by focussing on 4 key areas, including caring for the land, which involves improving biodiversity, soil health, water management and decreasing chemical use. Caring for our planet, which is reducing waste, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate impacts. Caring for our staff involves training, strong WHS standards, creating a positive culture, and finally caring for our community, including suppliers, supporting local employment and supporting community events and activities. Every year, we create a responsible action plan that outlines the activities we complete to ensure that we continue to improve across all of these areas. It is a big job but one that is very rewarding to all of us at See Saw.
What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities related to sustainability in the wine industry today?
There is no doubt in my mind that the industry stands in one of the most transformative eras ever. I think some of the major challenges we are facing are the declining consumption of wine, the impacts of climate change, the industry's overall profitability and political uncertainty. However, I think there are huge opportunities for technological innovation, changing consumer preferences, and evolving market dynamics. By 2030, generation Z will represent 1.6 billion consumers with an estimated $ 12 trillion in spending power, which screams opportunity. For me, it is possibly one of the most difficult but exciting times to be in the industry, and I can’t wait to see where we are in another 10 years.
What are some of your favourite aspects of the wine industry? What do you find most rewarding about your work?
My favourite aspect of the wine industry is the diversity of work you can do. For me, I can be at my desk one moment, walking through a vineyard the next, experiencing the buzz of vintage and immersing myself in overseas markets. The most rewarding aspect of my job is being able to share the See Saw story in international markets. We are one of the only agricultural commodities with a touch point with our consumer base, and the opportunity to educate consumers on how a bottle of wine has ended up on their table is a privilege I don’t ever take for granted.
What's next for Maggie Jarrett? What are your personal and professional goals for the future?
In 2025, I am completing a Nuffield Scholarship and looking at how businesses in the agriculture industry can capitalise on ESG reporting. So I will be travelling around the world learning and increasing my knowledge on this topic. All my focus is on getting the most out of this scholarship and my job at See Saw for 2025, so you might have to check back in with me about professional and personal goals once I am on the other side!
