Professional Wine Education Programs

Related Sommelier School Tags: Sommelier training Sommelier classes Sommelier course Sommelier schools Sommelier Certification

 

Overview

The Guild has State approved certification and diploma programs for enthusiasts and professionals. Specific programs have been developed for Wine Sommeliers, Chefs, Wine Merchants, Wine Managers and Cellar Managers (those currently not in the business). Professional sommelier courses and sommelier classes of the International Wine Guild are approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.

For each professional diploma option there are four levels of certification; from basic certification (Level I) to the prestigious Guild Senior Wine Master (Level III). The only exception is the Cellar Manager program which has been specifically designed for those not currently in the industry or those having no interest in being in the industry but want a more formal wine education. The Cellar Manger programs range from Level I to Level III.

• Click on the PDF Program Brief hyperlink for a one-page brief on each of our diploma programs. (PDF Level I through III Program Briefs)
• Click on the College Catalog hyperlink for our current catalog. (PDF Wine School Catalog)

Level I Certification.

All programs of professional study begin with the Guild Wine Certification Seminar. To complete a level I certification you must successfully complete the Certification Seminar. This seminar is offered six times a year in Denver as well as other locations. Check the schedule for dates and locations.

Completion of the Level I Certification allows you to be a:

• Certified Wine Sommelier
• Certified Wine Merchant
• Certified Chef of Wine Arts
• Certified Wine Manager
• Certified Cellar Manager (for the enthusiast)

If you have extensive knowledge and/or experience in the wine industry you can bypass the Level I certification.

Level II Certification.

The Level II certification builds upon the foundation established in the Level I Certification program. This is an intermediate level of certification. This level of certification is our minimum recommendation if you are interested in a career in the industry.

There are two ways to complete the Level II Certification:

• Advanced Sommelier Wine Course (12-week).
• Intensive Study Advanced Wine Course (1-week).

For those that don't live in Colorado we recommend the Intensive Study Advanced Wine Course (1-week) as it will complete all of the classroom and exam components of the certification in 7 days.

Completion of the Level II Diploma program and Certification allows you to be a:

• Certified Executive Wine Sommelier
• Certified Senior Wine Merchant
• Certified Executive Chef of Wine Arts
• Certified Senior Wine Manager
• Certified Senior Cellar Manager (for the enthusiast)

Level III Certification.

Click here for complete details on Level III programs and options for special emphasis. 

• Completion of a Level II Certification program and the Senior Wine Instructor program.
• Advanced Wine and Food Pairing Course.
• Advanced Regional Series (France, Italy, New World)
• Advanced Blind Tasting Course.
• The Wine Business.

• Fine Spirits (including a Fine Spirits Certification)
• Advanced Regional Wines of Europe (Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Greece and more)
• International Wine Markets and Management
• History of Wine: Ancient World
• History of Wine: Medieval World
• History of Wine: Europe from 1500 to the Present
• History of Wine: New World from 1500 to the Present
• Advanced Fortified Wines
• Level III Written and Practical Exams.

Again, all of the courses needed to complete the Level II or Level III can be taken in an intensive study format. Contact the Guild for more details by clicking here. In addition, all of these advanced classes can be taken as continuing education courses without studying towards a specific diploma. Contact the Guild for details.

You may also take Level III courses for continuing education, not leading to a diploma.  Once you have completed the Level I and Level II programs you may take any Level III course that interests you. Contact the Guild for details.

More Questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

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