For the first time, Plumpton College – home of wine education in the UK – has launched a new range of online courses designed to boost wine careers beyond the South and across the UK, as jobs in the Wine & Spirits sector reach over 400,000 (WSTA). The initiative invites those who have never considered jobs in wine before to consider the many opportunities the industry has to offer.
While the UK is the second largest importer of wine in the world, over the past decade it has also become a significant producer, contributing an estimated £8.9bn to the economy (WSTA). Plumpton College’s new courses are set to accommodate the growing number of roles in the industry as the UK wine sector continues to expand.
While the College is based in Sussex, the home of English wine making, the online courses will make it simple for any interested candidate to transfer those skillsets for a new career, wherever they are in the country. A career in wine not only has the potential to be very lucrative (with salaries reaching up to £100,000) but also expands beyond just wine production, opening doors to a wide range of candidates.
Commercial roles in wine also require skills transferable from many mainstream jobs. For example, experience in marketing or sales (e.g. Account Manager) can lead to roles working with restaurants and retailers to bring wine portfolios to life, while backgrounds in hospitality (e.g. Bartender) or customer service (e.g. Retail Assistant) translate naturally into hosting tastings and events.
Wine buyers commonly begin around £31,000 to £150,000. Export managers typically earn between £32,000 and £52,000, with experienced professionals often earning toward the upper end. In hospitality, sommeliers may start in the mid-£20,000s, with head sommeliers in leading establishments earning £50,000 or more, often supplemented by tips and bonuses.
Sam Linter, Director of Wine at Plumpton College, said: “National Wine Careers Week is the perfect time to highlight just how diverse and exciting the wine sector really is. A career in wine extends far beyond the vineyard. There are a number of roles throughout the supply chain, where people can transfer their skills from other careers. We believe that a career in the wine industry has a lot to offer to a wide range of ages, including those looking to change direction in their existing career. At Plumpton, our students gain hands-on experience in our commercial vineyard and winery, build strong industry connections and graduate ready to take on roles not just in the UK, but around the world.”
Eric Heerema, Owner and CEO of The Nyetimber Group, said: “We are proud to support National Wine Careers Week and its focus on encouraging people to explore careers in wine. At Nyetimber, we think in generations, not years, and as one of the UK’s largest employers in the wine industry, we recognise the importance of nurturing new talent. The sector offers a wide range of career pathways, and initiatives like this are vital in helping the industry continue to grow and thrive.”
This National Wine Careers Week (9-15th May), founders Plumpton College and Nyetimber (together with principal partner NFU Mutual) are inviting the nation to consider what goes on behind the bottle, exploring careers in one of the UK’s most dynamic and expanding sectors.
Further information
Wine Careers Week
