Plumpton College pledges £500,000 to bolster English wine skills
By Sophie Arundel
The UK’s leading wine education provider will offer fully funded training courses in 2026 as part of its centenary celebrations.
Plumpton College has pledged £500,000 worth of fully funded training to support skills development across the English wine industry next year.
The initiative, titled the Plumpton College Skills Pledge to the Wine Industry, will provide wine businesses and professionals with access to short-course training from January to July 2026. The programmes are designed to help producers and the trade enhance expertise and strengthen operations during what the college describes as a challenging economic period.
Supporting growth through training
As the UK’s national centre of excellence for wine education, the college will open up free access to its portfolio of short courses. Training available ranges from vineyard skills and winemaking essentials to business development and sensory programmes.
Plumpton said the pledge aims to remove financial barriers to upskilling and allow both individuals and teams to invest in long-term capability.
Sam Linter, Director of Wine at Plumpton College, said: “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 established English wine producers, new entrants and wider wine trade professionals, subject to eligibility. There is no limit on the number of courses an individual or business may book.
High demand expected
Courses must be booked and attended between 1 January and 31 July 2026. While the training is fully funded, a refundable credit card deposit will be required at booking to secure places and ensure attendance.
Plumpton expects demand to be high and is encouraging early registration.
Linter added: “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.”
