For Robyn Dixon, wine is more than a drink—it’s a dynamic industry that thrives on sustainability, innovation, and resilience. In her role at Wine Australia, she works closely with growers, winemakers, and researchers to tackle the challenges posed by pests, diseases, and AMR. With a career spanning viticulture, biochemistry, and microbiology, Robyn brings a wealth of experience in sustainable vineyard management, technical innovation, and industry collaboration.

Before joining Wine Australia, Robyn played a pivotal role in supporting Australian growers as a Senior Viticulturist at the Australian Wine Research Institute. She has also held key positions at Treasury Wine Estates, worked as a wine industry consultant, and spent nearly a decade managing vineyard operations and biosecurity programs in New Zealand and Australia. Her deep understanding of the sector’s challenges, combined with her passion for practical solutions, makes her a driving force in ensuring the long-term resilience of the industry.

Robyn’s collaboration with SAAFE is focused on reducing fungicide resistance and protecting the grape and wine industry from foliar diseases. She believes good antimicrobial stewardship is essential to safeguarding the health of our ecosystems, food systems, and communities. If she could host a dream dinner party, she’d invite Charles Darwin, Jane Goodall, and Malala Yousafzai, whose perspectives on evolution, environmental stewardship, and social justice would spark an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation.

When she’s not immersed in research and industry engagement, you’ll find her surfing with her son, hiking with her dogs, tending to her garden and chickens, or exploring the natural wonders of the world. Inspired by her 99-year-old Nanna’s resilience and positivity, she lives by mottos like “Progress, not perfection” and “Leave it better than you found it.”