Mark Krstic to step down as AWRI Managing Director

Dr Mark Krstic will step down as the Managing Director of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) at the end of 2026. Krstic has been with the organization for 15 years, serving as Managing Director since December 2019.

During his seven-year tenure as leader, Krstic oversaw several key initiatives, including the launch of Affinity Labs, a commercial testing laboratory, and the establishment of a CRC-P focused on no-and-low (NoLo) alcohol wine production. He also managed the delivery of the 2022 and 2025 Australian Wine Industry Technical Conferences and secured strategic partnerships with Wine Australia and Adelaide University, with funding for these partnerships extended through 2030.

Krstic, who was named the 2020 ASVO Viticulturist of the Year, has also been involved in smoke taint research and emergency responses to bushfires in 2013, 2019, and 2020. The AWRI Board expressed gratitude for his contributions to the organization and the broader wine sector.