One of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) first graduates in wine science is the new President of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). Peter Hayes is the first Australian to head up the peak international wine body which has grown from an organisation formed in 1924 by six old world producers and now comprises 42 consumer and producer countries. “In 1975 CSU was the only place you could study wine science externally. I took on the CSU course because I wanted to broaden my options. My father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all held wine trading licenses whereas I was interested in the viticulture,” Mr Hayes said from Spain. The OIV recently resolved the issue of oak chips in wine-making and is now working towards consistent labelling. Mr Hayes says crucial issues include sustainability and the world wine surplus which currently sits around four times Australia’s total production. “That’s one of the challenges we have. How do you assist member countries to adapt their production capacity to the consumers?” Mr Hayes was previously Director of Viticulture at Rosemount Estate, National Viticulturist and Industry Relations Manager at Southcorp Wines, and President of the OIV’s Viticulture Commission from 2003 to 2006.