WSET IN-CLASS & ONLINE in the SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Our WSET in-class and online courses are serious and challenging. They are designed for both members of the wine trade and consumers who want to greatly expand their knowledge of wine. Three levels of study are currently available.
The classes are a progression, beginning with Intermediate Certificate, then Advanced, and followed by Diploma. Those with an already extensive knowledge of wine can bypass Intermediate, however, all those interested in Diploma must first obtain the Advanced Certificate.

Level One - Foundation in Wine: This entry-level course teaches the basics of wine in a format specially designed for those with no previous wine knowledge. Ideal for consumers or those new to wine, the Foundation course focuses on the main styles of wines available, tasting technique, wine and food pairing as well as wine etiquette. The class consists of two three-hour sessions and concludes with a short multiple-choice exam.

Level Two - Intermediate Certificate in Wine: The Intermediate Certificate is the ideal starting level for those with little knowledge of wine, or those who have depth of knowledge regarding particular types of wine but lack a true breadth of knowledge of all the world's wines. This program enables students to interpret wine and spirits labels, explain the fundamentals of wine-tasting, become familiar with the world's major wine regions and their principal wines, and give basic advice on wine selection and service. This course involves 16 hours of instruction. The exam* is a one-hour multiple-choice exam. Wine tasting is a part of every class. Successful candidates received the WSET Intermediate Certificate. Course Outline. View Sample Questions of the Intermediate exam.

Level Three - Advanced Certificate in Wines & Spirits: The Advanced Certificate is the appropriate course for those who already have a broad foundation of wine knowledge, including wine labeling laws, appellation systems, major wine-producing regions, and grape types, and are experienced in tasting technique. It covers the major wine regions of the world in more depth than the Intermediate Certificate, and includes more detailed study of viticulture and vinification. This course enables students to describe the characteristics of the principal wines and spirits of the world and to explain the key factors influencing those characteristics. The course involves 32 hours of instruction. The exam* includes multiples-choice and short-answer questions, as well as a blind tasting of one wine. Advanced Certificate is required of applicants for the Diploma course. Course Outline. View Sample Questions of the Advanced exam.

Professional Certificate in Spirits: The Spirits Certificate is designed to provide a thorough knowledge of spirits and liqueurs. The course covers the history, production and style of spirits of the world: Cognac, Armagnac and other brandies; Scotch, Bourbon and whiskeys; white spirits, including vodka, rum, tequila, gin; and liqueurs and other flavored spirits. Tasting is part of every session. If you are an employer wishing to train your staff this course will equip them with a sound level of product knowledge suitable for those employed in drinks and cocktail service. No previous experience in spirits is required and this course is appropriate for students who have a professional interest in spirits, and those who wish to broaden their knowledge of this fascinating subject. A one-hour examination includes 50 multiple-choice questions and a theoretical tasting note of one spirit or liqueur. Course synopsis.

*If for some reason you are unable to sit the exam on either above dates, you can withdraw without penalty if you contact us no later than 3 weeks prior to the exam date. After that time, we will have ordered the examinations from London and there will be a $110 fee to reschedule the Intermediate exam and $200 to reschedule the Advanced exam.