Principles of Winemaking (Intermediate Level)

Duration: 5 days
Attendance: 09:15 - 16:00
Location: Plumpton College

Course Overview

Do you want to learn about how wine is made?

The aims of this one week intensive 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. It is based on the seven day Principles of Winemaking course, and allows a good understanding of winery activities over a short, intense, period of time.

Topics include:

Harvest preparation
Grape processing
Must amelioration
Alcoholic fermentation
Red wine production
Wine clarification
Wine stability and packaging
Sparkling wine production

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

The theory sessions for this course will delivered in the mornings at Plumpton College Wine Centre classrooms, and the practical session in the afternoons at Plumpton College winery.

Entry Requirements

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

Course Cost

This course is FREE*, thanks to the Plumpton Wine Resilience Fund. More information about this fund can be found here.

Please refer to our terms and conditions below to take advantage of this offer between January - July 2026.

Note that the cost will show on your application form, however please disregard this if you meet the funding criteria to access the Plumpton Wine Resilience Fund.

*Subject to eligibility

Cost for a non-funded learner: £890

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

Plumpton College is a truly unique place to learn about wine. Spending time in the winery and being able to use the machinery really helps add another dimension to your understanding. I enjoyed the Principles of Winemaking course. In the morning, in the classroom there's a lot of information for you to absorb and in the afternoon you're in the winery, rolling up your sleeves and getting mucky. You quickly realise that the lecturers have a lot of experience. And learning in a small group makes it's really easy to ask questions. There was an interesting mix of people with a wide variety of backgrounds. Some wanted to start learning about wine and others, like me, are in the wine trade ( independent retail, selling to supermarkets, UK's largest bottling factory ) and a few people wanted a new career in wine production. Everyone seemed to be learning and enjoying it. Before taking the course i'd read books on winemaking but never felt like I understood it fully. Now I feel like I have a much better understanding. The course has managed to pull together all the pieces of the puzzle.” Gavin Dealville is General Manager for award winning independent wine merchant Handford Wines where he works alongside two Masters of Wine. Before that he managed Harvey Nichols Wine department in Knightsbridge. In his spare time he runs EnglishWineJobs.com, a job noticeboard that advertises fine wine vacancies for free

Gavin Dealville - Principles of winemaking

Terms & Conditions

1. Course Dates:
All courses must be booked and attended between 1 January and 31 July 2026

2. Commitment to attend:
All courses are fully funded. By enrolling on a programme, you are committing to attend. Failure to attend without notifying the College at least 10 days prior to the course start date will result in a £50 administration charge.

3. Number of Courses:
There is no limit to the number of courses an individual or company may book under this scheme. However, no one course can be repeated by and individual.

4. Materials:
Any required materials or equipment must be purchased separately and are not covered by the funding. These will be clearly stated in the course information.

5. Eligibility:

Free training is offered through the Governments' Adult Skills Fund and cannot be accessed by individuals or organisations from devolved authorities (Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire, North East, East Midlands, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Cornwall, Tees Valley, London)

6. Accommodation and travel:
Plumpton College does not provide free accommodation.
On-site accommodation may be available at a discounted rate, subject to availability and payable separately.
We do have travel bursaries for those in low income please look on our website for further details.

View Dates & Apply