College Backs English Wine Industry with £500k Training Fund

To launch its Centenary year, Plumpton College, the UK’s longest-established wine education provider, is pledging £0.5million in fully funded training to drive strength, skill, and innovation across the English wine industry in 2026.

The Plumpton Wine Resilience Fund initiative will deliver £500,000 of fully funded short-course training from January to July 2026, providing wine businesses and professionals with a unique opportunity to enhance expertise and strengthen their operations during a challenging economic period.

As the UK’s national centre of excellence for wine education, Plumpton College will offer free access to its extensive portfolio of short courses*, from vineyard skills and winemaking essentials to business development and sensory training. The programme is designed to support both individual professionals and entire teams, enabling businesses to strengthen capability and invest in long-term growth without the financial barrier normally associated with professional training.

Sam Linter, Director of Wine at Plumpton College, comments:

We are acutely aware of the economic fluctuations and recognise that these are particularly challenging times. Investing in training and upskilling is vital to driving growth and supporting recovery. At this crucial moment, we believe it is essential to champion the English Wine Industry and the wider wine trade, ensuring they have the resources and expertise to thrive.

The pledge is open to all: established producers, new entrants, and wine trade professionals and aims to strengthen the English wine sector from root to bottle. With no limit on the number of courses an individual or business can book, the initiative encourages sustained skills development and the sharing of knowledge across the industry.

Courses must be booked and attended between 1 January and 31 July 2026, and places are expected to be in high demand, so participants are encouraged to secure their place as soon as possible. While fully funded, a refundable credit card deposit is required at the time of booking to secure attendance, helping ensure commitment and maximise the scheme’s impact.

Reflecting on the broader ambition of the pledge, Sam Linter adds:

In times of challenge, opportunity often emerges. We believe that investing in people—through training and upskilling—is the key to unlocking growth and resilience. Innovation is at the heart of this work, with technologies such as SMART vineyard solutions transforming how we cultivate, monitor, and manage our vineyards for a sustainable future. We are not just navigating the present; we are helping to shape a stronger, smarter, and more vibrant future for our sector.

Explore Wine Courses 

CPD modules are not included in this funding offer, T&Cs apply. 

Category: College News