Plumpton College Heart of UK Wine

Plumpton College Wine Centre

The Wine Centre at Plumpton College in East Sussex has come along way from humble beginnings in a disused chicken shed and wine fermenting in demijohns from Boots. Today it ranks amongst the top wine courses in Europe and is the only one where English is the first language.

Chris Foss in the modern winery at Plumpton College

Students and lecturers have the vision and determination of Chris Foss to thank for creating the operation which exists today. Chris was bought up in France on a vineyard in Bordeaux owned by his mother’s family. At university Chris studied microbiology and later qualified as a teacher - after university Chris ran the family vineyard for 6 years, during which time he studied wine making and worked worked in vineyards and wineries in Sauternes (Chateau d’Yquem) and St Emilion, becoming Winemaker for the GFA Leclerc vineyard group. 

Chris speaks fluent French which was distinct advantage in gaining practical experience. In 1988 Chris started the first courses in Wine Production at Plumpton College after three years teaching in secondary education. During the early days the Wine Department only had two rows of vines, now Plumpton boasts a 16 acre vineyard locally, another a few miles to the north in Scaynes Hill and a small research vineyard inside the college grounds.

Since Chris established the Plumpton College Wine Centre it has become a centre of excellence for cool climate wine production and is recognised throughout Europe and the rest of the world for its’ work including establishment of the first dedicated Viticulture and Oenology Research Centre in the UK. Expansion of The Wine Department has enabled the team to develop postgraduate provision in wine and undertake research, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Brighton, whilst still delivering outstanding education for the students. Research is an important problem solving tool for the expanding English & Welsh wine industries and of international importance for cool climate wine production.

Chris Foss in the Wine Department vineyard at Ditchling.

Chris leads a talented team of international staff delivering courses to around 130 full-time students plus part time and specialist courses each year. In September 2014 Plumpton started the UK’s first MSc course in Viticulture and Oenology, alongside existing popular undergraduate degrees.
Plumpton also offers short and intensive courses for small growers and vineyard employees, tailor-made events and courses for specific business requirements and the full range of Wine & Spirit Education Trust Courses.

Over 500 people a year attend events around England & Wales run by the Department's training arm including  short courses, masterclasses, mentoring, sustainability guidelines, and an on-line information resource at www.wineskills.co.uk

Chris takes great pride in the fact that “Our courses are unique, being the only English language undergraduate and post graduate viticulture and wine courses taught in Europe”.

Plumpton graduates now work all over the world including Australia, Burgundy, England (naturally), California, Canada, Chile, Languedoc-Roussillon, New Zealand, Portugal, & Languedoc-Roussillon. Late in 2015 Plumpton graduate Steve Farquharson visited with some of his Wooing Tree wines for students to taste - coincidentally the visit from New Zealand coincided with the Rugby World Cup!

Steve Farquharson of Wooing Tree Vineyard in New Zealand 

Wines produced by The Wine Department include Plumpton Estate Cloudy Ridge Red & plus sparkling The Dean Brut NV & The Dean Blush NV, all stocked by the English supermarket Waitrose http://www.waitrosecellar.com/search/plumpton+estate

When Chris was Chair of South East Vineyards Association he was heavily involved in organising the 2016 ICCWS International Cool Climate Wine Symposium in Brighton after visiting Tasmania in 2012 as part of the successful small delegation of Brits who pitched for the privilege of hosting the prestigious event.

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About the author:
I'm a experienced commercial photographer & film maker based in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, starting in the business in 1982. I work with businesses of all sizes and consult within the photography business advising on lighting, training and mentoring photographers to their best potential.

I've worked with Plumpton College since the 2001 Foot & Mouth Crisis where I created a calendar to raise funds for the college Rag Week. I created the Board Room portrait of past Principle John Brookham. I’ve lived and worked in Sussex all my life and am passionate about food & drink, the countryside and rural economy. In 2008 I founded Friends of Wolstonbury www.wolstonbury.com a conservation group who maintain a very special part of the South Downs National Park alongside the National Trust.

Plumpton Wine Department Students get into the spirit, or should that wine for the
2001 (Foot & Mouth) Rag Week Calendar.

For commissions and assignments contact me by email ian@packshots.biz or phone +44 (0) 7710 814665 I work from a Burgess Hill, Sussex based studio or on location, whatever is best suited to your needs.