26. WSET Level 3 Bootcamp - Lessons from the Vineyard (Part 2)

Level 3 Bootcamp 2026 - TRIP DETAILS

Wine Educate Newsletter – Sign up for exclusive content and class/trip updates. Episode Description

In this episode of Wine Educate, host Joanne Close continues the Lessons from the Vineyard series, focusing on winemaking (vinification) at Château Camplazens. During the WSET Level 3 Bootcamp, students got a firsthand look at the winery’s fermentation process, barrel aging choices, and the fascinating mobile bottling van.

Each lesson is tied to a Level 3 essay question, helping students apply their vineyard experiences to WSET exam prep. Joanne also shares details about the next Level 3 Bootcamp, happening April 6–11, 2026.

What’s in This Episode? 1. Understanding Extraction in Fermentation

• Cement fermentation tanks – why they’re used and how they’re epoxy-lined to remain inert.

• Punching down on a mechanized track – a technique used at the winery to control extraction efficiently.

• WSET Level 3 Essay Question: Name four processes for increasing extraction during fermentation in red wine production.

• Possible answers: Punching down, pumping over, rack and return, rotary fermenters.

2. Barrel Aging and Oak Selection

• Visiting the barrel room, where students observed different barrels, oak sources, and toasting levels.

• How the winery uses first, second, and third-year barrels to influence the wine’s complexity.

• A fun moment: One student wished she could bottle the scent of the barrel room as a perfume – Eau de Oak!

• WSET Level 3 Essay Question: Name two ways aging wine in barrels affects the wine.

• Possible answers: Softens tannins through oxidation and adds oak flavors (cedar, spice, smoke).

3. The Magic of the Mobile Bottling Van

• A rare opportunity – the group got to see the mobile bottling van in action!

• Why medium-sized wineries hire mobile bottling companies instead of owning expensive bottling lines.

• Inside the bottling truck: Watching wine move from tanks to labeled, sealed, and boxed bottles—like a Willy Wonka factory for wine!

• WSET Level 3 Essay Question: What are the advantages of using a screw cap over a cork for rosé wine?

• Possible answers: Screw caps prevent cork taint (TCA) and preserve aromatic fruit flavors better for young wines.

Next WSET Level 3 Bootcamp – April 6–11, 2026

• The next Bootcamp dates are confirmed!

• Limited to 12 participants for an intimate and immersive learning experience.

• Sign up at: www.wineeducate.com

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