Wine Division
If you’re passionate about the wine industry, you’ve certainly come to the right place. With the finest facilities and courses available in the UK, you’ll be able to gain all of the knowledge you’ll need to be successful in this highly competitive global industry.
The UK wine industry is one of the fastest growing and most successful in the agricultural sector, so if you're interested in pursuing a career in this growing and in demand sector with a wealth of exciting opportunities, consider one of Plumpton College's degree courses, apprenticeships or part-time courses.
The National Wine Training Programme has three levels Introduction, Intermediate and Advanced, to help students determine which course is best suited to their needs.
- Introduction: Introductory training designed to cover the core skills and knowledge required for entry into the industry.
- Intermediate: Intermediate-level courses aimed at those with some experience, focusing on enhancing and expanding skills and covering the fundamentals of the subject area, this includes the popular Principles of Vinegrowing, Winemaking and Wine Business courses.
- Advanced: Advanced training for experienced professionals, providing in-depth expertise in specialised areas of the industry.
Alongside the technical courses for the National Wine Training Programme, Plumpton College is offering Industry Essentials courses. These are mandatory training courses that wine businesses need to meet minimum qualification or regulatory requirements. This includes spray qualifications, health and safety, and first aid. Search LandPro under study type below.
NEW SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2025/2026
Cobham House Vineyard Scholarship Award
Plumpton College Scholarship Programme
Course Finder
- Advanced Principles of Sparkling Winemaking - Bottling & Tirage Plumpton College Certificate
- Advanced Principles of Vinegrowing - Crop Protection Plumpton College Certificate
- Advanced Principles of Vinegrowing - Spring Operations Certificate of Achievement in Spring Vineyard Management
- Advanced Principles of Vinegrowing - Summer Operations Certificate of Achievement in Summer Vineyard Management
- Advanced Principles of Vinegrowing - Vineyard Winter Operations- Pruning Certificate of Achievement in Winter Vineyard Management
- Advanced Principles of Winemaking - Harvest Operations Plumpton College Certificate
- Advanced Principles of Winemaking - Pre-Fermentation Must Amelioration and Fermentation Operations Plumpton College Certificate
- Advanced Principles of Winemaking - Wine Stabilisation for Cool Climate Production Plumpton College Certificate
- Advanced Winemaking Techniques Plumpton College Certificate
- BA (Hons) International Wine Business Bachelor's degree - 2026 Entry
- BSc (Hons) Viticulture & Oenology Bachelor's degree
- Crop Technician (Viticulture) Level 3 Apprenticeship
College awarded prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize
Plumpton College has been awarded the highest National Honour in education, a Queen’s Anniversary Prize, for its work in wine education and wider impact on the English and Welsh wine sector. The Prize celebrates excellence, innovation, and benefit for the wider world in further and higher education.
Forging the next generation in the industry: Education and training is the key to fostering the vineyard managers, winemakers and marketers to fulfil the demands of an ever-expanding industry. WineGB estimates an increase from the current 2,000 employed to approximately 24,000 by 2040.
The industry is not only offering great career paths and creating many job opportunities but providing a significant boost to rural employment and the local economy.
Our Facilities
Studying at Plumpton gives you the chance to enjoy time at the heart of the South East of England’s wine production industry.
We’ve got 10 hectares of vineyards producing 40,000 bottles of award-winning still and sparkling wines each year at Plumpton.
We’ve also got a purpose-built Plumpton Wine Centre which includes a commercial winery, research winery, laboratories and a sensory evaluation room for you to experience. Combined with our team of international expert lecturers, you’ll certainly gain an excellent all-round experience at Plumpton.
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Contact the Wine Division
For more information about the courses offered or how to apply:
Email: enquiries@plumpton.ac.uk | Tel: (+44) 01273 890454
For media or marketing collaborations:
Email: marketing@plumpton.ac.uk | Tel: (+44) 01273 890454
For Plumpton Estate enquiries and sales:
Email: winesales@plumpton.ac.uk | Tel: (+44) 01273 892128
Careers in the Wine Industry
Are you a science graduate, sommelier, or business minded? A career in the wine trade is dynamic taking you rurally, locally and internationally. Hear from our Wine graduates and where they are now.
Plumpton Estate Wine
Our enthusiastic and talented students, working alongside a team of vine-growing and winemaking experts, produce our award-winning Plumpton Estate sparkling and still wines.
National Competency Framework
The first National Competency Framework (NCF) for the UK Wine Industry has been launched following development by Plumpton College with the support of a generous grant from the Vintners’ Company.
The NCF represents a strategic solution to ensure the future growth and success of the UK wine industry which is very dependent on attending training and developing a skilled workforce.
