WineSkills Principles of Vinegrowing

The aim of this five-day intensive course is to provide a good level of knowledge and understanding of vinegrowing to those who wish to start growing grapes, work in a vineyard, enter the wine trade, or have a strong interest in the world of wine. Each day, vinegrowing theory is introduced in the morning classroom session, then put into practice in the afternoon in the vineyard. It is based on the seven-day Principles of Vinegrowing course, and enables students to gain a good level of knowledge and understanding of vineyard activities over a short, intense, period of time.

Topics include:

• Evaluating and improving vineyard sites;
• Selecting vine varieties and rootstocks;
• Winter pruning;
• Vine propagation and nutrition;
• Planting and trellising vines,
• Vineyard floor management and sustainable viticulture,
• Vineyard pest and disease management,
• Canopy management.

The course ends with a 30-minute multiple-choice test. The theory sessions for this course will delivered in the mornings at the Plumpton College Wine Centre classrooms, and the practical session in the afternoons at Plumpton Estate vineyards, which are situated near Scaynes Hill, 8 miles north of Plumpton College.