{name}, Volunteer with Tahiirah Habibi + Summer Wine School is Back

You've put in the work to learn wine. This August, you can turn that knowledge into something more: the credential to teach it.

The Wine Instructor Certification is back as part of Summer Wine School: one week this August, and you walk away eligible to teach at the Wine School of Philadelphia, run your own wine school, or deliver National Wine School courses. It's a credential with real opportunities for you.

Also this month: we're partnering with WSoP graduate Tahiirah Habibi for the Wine & Culture Fest 2026 on July 25 at the Bok Building. Tahiirah is one of the most recognized voices in American wine, and she's looking for our students and members to volunteer.

And the June wine picks are ready: summer whites, well-priced Willamette Pinots, and a few Argentine steals worth tracking down.

Warmest,
Keith

Summer Wine School is Back!

This August, the Wine School of Philadelphia turns 25, and in celebration, we are bringing Summer Wine School back! In a single week, you can complete your wine instructor certification, which counts toward your Advanced Sommelier pin!

More Information

Volunteer at the Wine & Culture Fest 2026

We are partnering with Tahiirah Habibi and The Hue Society for Wine & Culture Fest 2026, taking place on Saturday, July 25, at the Bok Building in Philadelphia. Tahiirah is a graduate of the Core Sommelier program at the Wine School and one of the most recognized voices in American wine. Volunteers are needed to help support this exciting event throughout the day and evening.

Wine & Culture Fest is a celebration of wine, food, culture, and community, featuring educational seminars, tastings, culinary experiences, and evening programming centered around the Global Diaspora. Volunteers will have the opportunity to support the event while gaining hands-on experience in a dynamic hospitality environment.

The following volunteer shifts are available:

Shift 1: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Event setup, décor, signage, vendor assistance, and guest check-in.

Shift 2: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Daytime programming support, guest assistance, clearing glasses, light cleanup, and vendor support.

Shift 3: 7:00 PM – midnight
Evening programming support, guest check-in, assisting vendors and chefs, VIP lounge support, and event breakdown.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email Erin Darden at edarden1922@gmail.com with your full name, phone number, email address, and preferred shift or shifts.

Additional details regarding volunteer assignments, arrival times, and event logistics will be provided directly to volunteers.

We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event and help showcase the best of wine, food, and culture in Philadelphia.

If you would prefer to attend as a guest, WSoP students and members receive 15% off ticket prices. Use promo code PHILLYWS15 at checkout when purchasing tickets for the Wine & Culture Fest.

June Wine Picks

Summer whites, clearance Pinots, and two Argentine steals.

Oyster season is here, and I've got two whites built for it: a mineral-edged Albariño from Rías Baixas and a textbook Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, both well under retail in PA.

Then comes the fun part: the PLCB has Willamette Valley Pinots on clearance, including a $60 Yamhill-Carlton bottle going for $23.99. They won't be on every shelf, so consider it a treasure hunt.

Throw in two Argentine reds under $14 and a decade-aged Navarra that drinks like it costs three times the price, and that's the lineup. The tasting notes (and the prices that made me look twice) are ready for you!

June Wine Picks

Upcoming at the Wine School

Along with Summer Wine School, we have added a bevy of new wine classes in August and in the Fall. As is often the case, people are already booking seats, so if you want to attend, please register sooner rather than later.

Wine 101: Learn About Wine

August 8, 2026

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm