The Wine School of Philadelphia has teamed up with the National Wine School to offer the highest level of wine certification available in America. Classes listed on this page can be taken in conjunction with earning both advanced and master-level qualifications.
The courses listed on this page are semester-long programs intended for the top wine students in Philadelphia, DC, and New York. Prior to attending these courses, the student should register for the Core Wine Course.
To earn the Advanced Wine Diploma, the student must satisfactorily complete four advanced wine courses. For more information, please see the wine course overview page.
Thank you for giving me the knowledge and confidence to work and thrive in the industry. It has been a dream come true to be able to sell wines that I’m truly passionate about and I couldn’t have done it without the Wine School of Philadelphia! Seriously, thank you!
Jack Cunicelli
Owner, 320 Wines, Named Best Wine Store in Pennsylvania by Philadelphia Magazine
An event every day that begins at 7:30pm, happening 6 times
This is our accelerated Advanced summertime program. Classes run daily from August 20th to August 25th, from 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm. The Blind Tasting & Exotic Wine Program for Advanced Students Every sommelier knows about Tuscany, Napa, and Bordeaux. To be considered a true aficionado of wine, a deeper level of knowledge is required. Have you studied
An event every day that begins at 7:30pm, happening 4 times
The essential certification for anyone who needs to teach or talk about wine to an audience. This certification from the National Wine School is mission-critical for anyone in wine education. This program is hosted by the Wine School of Philadelphia and runs nightly from September 4th to the 8th, 7:30 to 9:30 pm. From the National
The Advanced Wine Certificate programs on this page can be taken separately or together. The student earns an advanced wine credential for each and every program they attend. To earn the coveted Advanced Sommelier, the student must complete the Core Wine Program followed by four Advanced courses.
Advanced Sommelier Certification
To earn certification, the student must opt for Certification via the National Wine School when registering for class.
Advanced
Earn your Advanced Somm pin in one year. Rigorous and engaging, each semester comes with its own world-class certification at no additional charge.
CERTIFICATION
5 Professional Certifications
Advanced Sommelier Pin
Top Rated on SOMM
National Wine School
Four Semesters
PRO TIP
Advanced program students are eligible for one-on-one counseling from the executive director of the school. This often results in great new opportunities.
Master
Only the top tier of Advanced Sommeliers in America are invited into the Master Wine Program. A six-month program guided by your professional mentor.
CERTIFICATION
Personal Mentorship
Master Somm Pin
Top Rated on SOMM
National Wine School
Master Thesis Required
PRO TIP
There are five names for the same certification: Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, Master Somm, Diploma Enotropae, and Level IV Sommelier.
To earn the Advanced Sommelier pin, the student must complete four sections of the Advanced program. At the National Wine School, the Advanced Sommelier Certification is awarded along with the Baccalaureate Vigne et Vin. However, the BVV is awarded only to exemplary students who have earned a recommendation by a member of the National Wine School's Board of Directors. The honor carries with it the right to the post-nominal letters of BVV.
Each section of the Advanced program also comes with its own certification. Students are not required to complete the whole Advanced Sommelier program to earn these individual world-class certifications.
Level V Sommelier
Master-Level Sommelier certification one of the top achievements in the wine trade. At the National Wine School, the award is also known as the Diploma Oenotropae. It is only awarded to the top 1% of sommelier candidates. To achieve this award, one must earn the Advanced Sommelier award and complete the Master's Thesis. The honor carries with it the right to the post-nominal letters of DOE.
There are several agencies that certify master-level sommeliers, each has its own trademark. Master of Wine, Master SOMM, Diploma Oenotrope, and Master Sommelier all refer to the same credentials: a Level V Sommelier Certification.
California's Sommelier School
The National Wine School (NWS) is located in Los Angeles, California. The school offers the highest level of accreditation for sommeliers in America. NWS offers the same level of national and international certification as the Court of Master Sommelier and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Plus, the NWS offers professional California certification, which no other agency can offer.
Wine courses should be fun and engaging. Accreditation should be boring. It doesn't need TV shows or movies. It's about ensuring that people who earn the qualification can earn their sommelier certification, no matter where they go to school. Not only is this the right thing to do, it's the law.
The National WIne School is the highest rated sommelier school for a reason. We don't hire PR firms, and we sure don't have movies made about us. We offer industry-grade sommelier exams, accreditation, and professional certification. Our protocols are used in universities and trade schools, including some of the top wine schools in America.
