agribusinessreview.comJANUARY 20268My journey in the food and beverage industry has been shaped by a combination of technical expertise and a passion for delivering consistent quality products to the consumer. Starting in the field of wine production, I gradually honed my skills in quality control by learning the basics, such as the importance of sanitization, raw material sourcing from reliable supply sources, and production process optimization. From there, I moved into the packaging field, in the one product that touches everything in wine packaging- the bottle. Over the years, I've worked in various roles that focused on both quality assurance and technical operations, which ultimately led me to my current position at Treasury Wine Estates. Some of the most significant milestones in my career have been working on new technology to the wine production process, as well as automation of quality processes in wine packaging. These experiences have deeply influenced my approach to quality management, innovation, and sustainability in my current role.Overcoming Challenges in Raw Material and Packaging QualityThe quality of raw materials is foundational to the production of exceptional wine. One of the key challenges we face with grapes is the natural variability in harvests due to climate conditions, pests, and disease. We address this by establishing strong relationships with our grape growers and implementing stringent quality assurance protocols during harvest. For packaging materials, we have increased our focus on sourcing environmentally sustainable materials with some significant targets set for 2025 while maintaining the integrity of the product. This includes rigorous supplier management to ensure that our packaging materials, such as glass bottles and closures, preserve the wine's flavor profile and quality while preventing contamination. We constantly evaluate and refine our sourcing practices and work closely with our suppliers to mitigate any potential risks. By Riley Jones, Director, Quality & Tech Services, Treasury Wine Estates [ASX: TWE]DRIVING EXCELLENCE IN WINE QUALITY AND INNOVATIONRiley Jones is the Director of Quality and Technical Services for the Americas division of Treasury Wine Estates. Working for both the Australian and the Napa Valley-based packaging sites, he has had a wide range of experience in areas such as wine bottling sanitation best practices, Food Safety certification (BRC & FSSC 22000:2018), and wine spoilage microbiology. He is a subject matter expert in wine packaging, with over 25 years of experience in the industry.Through this article, Jones emphasizes the importance of combining technical expertise, innovation, and sustainability to drive excellence in wine production and ensure the highest quality standards at Treasury Wine Estates.Riley JonesOPINIONIN MY
< Page 7 | Page 9 >