‘Everyone is a winner on this night’: Alumni return to celebrate 40 Under 40 SA
As tickets go on sale for this year’s 40 Under 40 SA awards, alumni Tom Northcott and Trent Burge reflect on the recognition, relationships and community that continue to shape their businesses years later.
South Australia’s wine industry will play a leading role at this year’s 40 Under 40 SA awards, with alumni winemakers Tom Northcott from Howard Vineyard and Trent Burge from Corryton Burge returning to support the event through a continuing wine partnership with InDaily.
The two South Australian producers will supply wines for the upcoming awards night, helping showcase the state’s wine regions while celebrating the next generation of local business and community leaders.
For Northcott, supporting the program is deeply personal after being recognised as part of the 40 Under 40 alumni network.
“We want to continue to support the program which has given me access and support,” Northcott says.
“As we are community minded, we are always looking forward to support others and share some delicious local drops, too.”
Burge says continuing the partnership is equally important at a time when the local wine industry is navigating difficult conditions.
“We are continuing to partner with Solstice as we are passionate about South Australia and the people in it and this event very much celebrates this,” he says.
“Our state’s wine industry is battling through a tough period at the moment, so to be able to partner with another great SA producer at an event celebrating people in the state puts a smile on your face.”
The partnership also reflects a long-standing friendship between the two winemakers.
“Tom and I worked and lived together for a short period when we were younger, then in the same year became alumni together and now get to support this event in our own way together,” Burge says.
You might like
Guests attending this year’s awards can expect a selection of wines designed for celebration.
Northcott says Howard Vineyard will pour “fresh, clean, lively wines perfect for the celebration and great with food”.
Howard Vineyard, based in the Adelaide Hills, has become known for cool-climate sparkling wines.
“We are best known for our Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay and our Blanc De Blancs, a celebration wine made from the cool climate of the Adelaide Hills,” Northcott says.
Corryton Burge will showcase wines from several South Australian regions, including the Barossa and Eden Valley.
“At the event this year we will have three beautiful wines for people to enjoy,” Burge says. “Eden Valley Riesling – fresh, crisp, lemon and lime flavour.
“Barossa Grenache – juicy, soft, choc raspberry lollies and Turkish delight flavour. And Barossa Shiraz – elegant, rich, raspberry coulis and dark chocolate flavour.”
While this year’s event will celebrate South Australian food and wine, both Northcott and Burge say the awards themselves are about much more than a single evening.
Recognising entrepreneurs, creatives, executives and changemakers under the age of 40, the program has grown into one of the state’s most significant leadership networks.
Northcott says he almost never completed his application. “I was dobbed in by a good friend,” he says.
“I actually had completed the application then it didn’t save. Said bugger it. Then my friend called me to let me know she’d put my name forward, so went back on and probably did a far better application.”
Despite eventually receiving the sustainability award, Northcott says recognition was never expected.
“I had no thought of winning and or even being part of the 40 Under 40 group. I was very honoured, especially to receive the sustainability award, which means a lot to me and Howard Vineyard.”
For Burge, the nomination also came as a surprise.
Stay informed, daily
“Someone nominated me,” he says. “I admittedly didn’t know much about the event before the nomination; however, as someone nominated me, I researched into what the awards stood for and was immediately honoured someone put my name up.
“I really had no expectations around winning but I am a proud South Australian and was happy to be there.”
Both say the awards night at Adelaide Oval left a lasting impression.
“It was such a lovely evening,” Northcott says. “There were lots of friends and great people to connect with and have a chat to, all of whom are passionate South Australians doing important big things and little things for our beautiful state.”
Burge attended alongside his wife and says the atmosphere combined celebration with inspiration.
“The experience was very surreal. As I am a very big cricket fan, we were not only in one of my favourite places in Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, we were able to connect with amazing people from SA including a few friends who were also nominated on the night.
“It was a great vibe over the night and we got to listen to an incredible speaker around never giving up in business.”
Beyond the recognition itself, both alumni say the network has continued to support their businesses.
Howard Vineyard has expanded its sustainability focus since the awards.
“We have recently received certification of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, as well as being selected as an eco-vineyard, of which only 16 vineyards are selected every three years,” Northcott says.
“We continue to serve our community through amazing experiences with great food sourced from quality local produce.”
Burge says being part of the alumni network reinforced the value of collaboration within South Australia.
“Being a 40 alumni has helped me understand that in South Australia we have amazing talent and resources right here,” he says. “It has given me confidence to reach out to other people in the alumni for advice or opportunities to partner together.”
As anticipation builds for this year’s event, Northcott has simple advice for incoming finalists.
“Good luck to all the entrants this year. Everyone is a winner on this night,” he says.
“Enjoy the moment as well, these are very hard working people who deserve a party. So have a drink, dance and have a great night.”
The 40 finalists and category award winners will be unveiled at the Awards dinner on Thursday, June 11, at Adelaide Oval.
Early Bird tickets for the 2026 InDaily 40 Under 40 SA Awards are on sale now.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
