FdSc Wine Production & Business Management

Course overview

Fast-track your wine career: hands-on vineyard training plus business
management skills.

Immerse yourself in wine production and business management with Plumpton’s
new degree. Gain practical experience in vineyards and wineries, learn
viticulture, winemaking, and management, and complete a 150-hour industry
placement. Blended block delivery aligns with the harvest season.

This foundation degree in Wine Production and Business Management offers a
fast-track route into the wine industry, combining practical vineyard and winery
experience with essential business and marketing skills. You’ll learn how to
manage a commercial vineyard, become an industry-recognised winemaker, and be
able to analyse wine quality and gain hands-on experience at Plumpton’s
vineyards and onsite winery. Plumpton’s SMART Centenary Vineyard, focuses on
agri-tech and precision winemaking. It’s conveniently located close to Brighton
and other transport hubs.

The programme is aligned with the Wine National Competency Framework
(NCF)—endorsed by WineGB and the Vintners’ Company—ensuring graduates meet
recognised industry standards. With a delivery model tailored to the wine
production calendar and a start to integrate harvest experience, you’ll gain
real-world insight from day one.

Why study wine production and wine business management at Plumpton?

150-hour industry placement for practical experience
Core topics include
vineyard management, winery engineering, wine science, and ethical wine
marketing
Developed with industry input and endorsed by leading wine
organisations
Progression route to BSc Viticulture & Oenology
The
University of Greenwich is Plumpton’s internationally recognised validating
partner

Plumpton College is the UK’s leading provider of wine education, home to the
Wine Centre of Excellence and recipient of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize (2024)
for its contribution to the English and Welsh wine industry.

Modules

Students study a range of practically applied and theory modules over the two year (full time) duration of the degree course.

In the first year you will study four compulsory modules (120 credits):

·        Viticulture & Vineyard Management (30 credits)·        Wine Science & Sensory Analysis (30 credits)·        Introdution to Business Management (30 credits)·        Practical & Academic Skills (30 credits)

In the second year, students are required to study a total of 120 credits. The following three modules are compulsory:

·        Establishing a Sustainable Wine Business (30 credits)·        Industry Work Placement (15 credits)·        Sparkling and Cool Climate Wine (30 credits)

Students are required to choose a further one 30-credit module from the list below. Depending on their chosen career ambition, they can tailor their degree towards a business or prodution specialism:

·        Wine Production and Analysis (30 credits); or·        Marketing and Content Creation (30 credits)

Then, students are also required to choose one 15-credit module from the list below:

·        Regional Wine Economics (15 credits)·        Independent Enquiry (15 credits)·        Research Methods and Statistics (15 credits) ~ (This module is compulsory for those wanting to top-up to the BSc (Hons) Viticulture, Oenology and Business Management degree).

How will I be assessed?

Assessment on the foundation degree in Wine Production and Business Management is balanced, transparent, and developmental, supporting students to progressively build the academic, technical, and professional capabilities required for careers in the wine industry. A range of formative (practice) assessment activities is embedded within all modules to support skill development, confidence, and academic progression. These may include draft submissions, practical skills practice, tasting sessions, seminar activities, group work, and tutorial feedback.

Summative assessments are designed to evaluate technical knowledge, practical competence, analytical ability, and commercial awareness through a variety of industry-relevant outputs. These may include practical competency assessments, logbooks, scientific and business reports, case studies, business plans, presentations, and independent research projects.

What is it like to be a student on this course?

Students on this course experience an exciting, hands-on introduction to the wine industry, combining practical vineyard and winery work with the science and business behind successful wine production, brand management and business acumen. You’ll learn in Plumpton’s commercial facilities, work alongside industry professionals, and build the knowledge, skills and confidence employers value. With a supportive learning environment and strong industry links, you’ll graduate feeling well prepared to launch a career in one of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic sectors.

Industry links

Students benefit from Plumpton’s exceptionally strong links with the wine industry through its specialist Wine Division, commercial vineyard and winery facilities, and close connections with leading producers and sector bodies. A particularly important relationship is with WineGB, the national association for the English and Welsh wine industry. Plumpton has a long-standing connection with WineGB, and Sam Linter, appointed as Plumpton’s Wine Director in September 2023, served as Chair of WineGB for four years, underlining the College’s close engagement with the sector.

Students also benefit from links across the wider wine sector, including commercial vineyards and wineries, industry researchers, alumni working throughout the trade, and organisations connected to training, sustainability and sector development. These include producers and employers across the English and Welsh wine industry, as well as professional connections shaped through Plumpton’s work with WineGB, industry conferences, applied research, and employer-informed teaching.

Student testimonial

“Wine is a hugely interesting field to work in. Depending on which area of it you are in, or looking to get into, it can satisfy a lot of different people. It incorporates agriculture, science, business, marketing, design, travel and as an added bonus it is also very sociable. I really enjoyed my time at Plumpton learning about the business side of things but also the science of wine production.”

Simon, Wine Production

Progression routes