Principles of Winemaking

Attendance: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Plumpton College

Course Overview

Would you like to learn more about winemaking?

The aims of this course are to provide a good level of knowledge and understanding of winemaking (oenology) to those who wish to start making wine, work in a winery, enter the wine trade, or have a strong interest in the world of wine.

During the course, winemaking theory is introduced in the morning classroom session, then put into practice during the afternoon session in the winery.

This seven-day course follows the winemaking calendar, and allows a good understanding of winery activities over a six month period

Topics include:

harvest preparation
grape processing
must amelioration
alcoholic fermentation
red wine production
wine clarification
wine stability and packaging
sparkling wine production

Assessment

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

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.

Price (non-funded learners): £1,045

Price (funded learners): £627

Entry Requirements

This course is suitable for anyone who has an interest in the subject.

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

I chose the principles winemaking course, as well as the viticulture course, as I couldn’t fit in a full diploma around working my normal day job. It was the perfect solution to get a week away while still cramming so much information in. The setup of morning theory and afternoon practice was brilliant, really helping everyone experience the processes. My aim was to get work back at home in Australia in the wine industry, which I did. Starting with a vintage at Domain Chandon (Moet Chandon Australia) and then moving into a cellar door tasting and sales role, able to talk to customers about the wine making process with experience and knowledge. I also made many contacts through the process and the staff have always been more than helpful. Plumpton was definitely the most enjoyable and stimulating study I’ve ever undertaken!

Nadia Pope - Principles of winemaking course

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