Introduction to the UK Wine Industry

Plumpton College Certificate

Duration: 3 Days
Attendance: 09:00 - 16:00
Location: Plumpton College

Course Overview

Are you interested in learning more about the fastest growing sector in UK Agriculture? Then the Introduction to the UK Wine Industry is the course for you.

This 3-day course explores the different facets of the UK wine industry including business models, UK viticulture practices, climate challenges, UK wine styles and distribution models.

Modules

Topics of study include:

History of the UK wine sector
Recent growth of the UK wine sector
Overview of the business models and opportunities
Overview of UK viticulture and grape varietals
Climate considerations and challenges
Labour supply and other challenges
Overview of UK wine production and wine styles
Sustainability considerations
Distribution and export markets
Business planning and checklist for establishing a wine business

Assessment

The course ends with a 30-minute multiple-choice exam.

Entry Requirements

This course is for new and potential new entrants to the UK wine industry. It would also be of interest to wine enthusiasts who want to improve their knowledge of the UK sector, businesses and services who wish to market their products to the UK wine sector and Business students who want to specialise in the UK wine sector. No prior knowledge of the UK wine sector is needed.

Course Cost

Please note Plumpton College Wine Division have recently secured some funding, allowing for a reduction in price to a selection of wine courses, subject to eligibility*.

*Learners will be eligible for funding if they were aged over 19 on 31st August 2024 and have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years. Learners living in devolved areas (eg Greater London Combined Authority) will not be eligible for funding. Learners currently undertaking an apprenticeship will not be eligible for funding.

Cost (funded learners): £610

Cost (non-funded learners): £366

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

My brother George and I recently completed the Introduction to the English Wine Industry course at Plumpton College, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

We signed up for the course with the aim of exploring whether starting a vineyard might be possible on our family farm. However, we were part of a wonderfully diverse group of fellow students—some were there simply out of curiosity about the industry, while others were considering how their existing skills and careers might transfer into the world of English wine. It was a real mixed bag of interests and ambitions, which made the experience all the richer.

Over the three days, we found the lectures to be interesting, informative, relaxed, and fun. We met several different lecturers, each bringing their own expertise and enthusiasm, and we particularly enjoyed the tour of the on-site winery. The short field trip on the final day to a local vineyard was a brilliant way to bring everything we’d learned together.

Thanks to this course, George and I are now exploring what further training we can do to really get our teeth into the industry, inspired by the brilliant introduction we’ve received.

We’d like to thank all the lecturers for making it such an enjoyable and engaging three days. We’d highly recommend the course to anyone curious about English wine, whether for personal interest or potential career plans.

Harry Smith -

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Course Dates

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Start Date: 24 November 2025
End Date: 26 November 2025

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