The Wine School of Philadelphia

Wine Tasting Classes

Whether you’ve toured every wine region in the world or just learned that wine doesn’t only come in boxes, a class at the Wine School is a revelation. Consistently recognized as the best wine school in the United States, our classes are legendary for good reason: they are as unique as they are engaging. Far from the stuffy country club model, our approach was crafted by two of the brightest minds in wine education to create the experience they wished for when they were learning about wine.

Featured

  1. Classes
  2. Featured
Today

What our students have to say

For over three decades, we’ve proudly held the title of the most popular wine school in the United States. With hundreds of classes offered each year, we’ve earned countless positive reviews and accolades. What we do is truly unique—and while it’s not for everyone, for our audience, there’s simply nothing better. That’s why we have a passionate base of students from as far away as Oslo and as close as next door.
“The instructors are knowledgable, passionate, and patient – which was so important to teaching a novice like myself. I highly recommend the program as well as the various tasting classes they put on. Highly recommended.
Close-up of a smiling man's face.
Brian M.
“The instructors are incredibly down-to-earth, and take the most unpretentious approach to teaching their students about wine. They love answering questions. They foster curiosity, and made wine fun for us.
Hiker in sunglasses exploring rocky canyon
Dennis O.
“Went to a wine tasting event here and it was great. Fun wines, good insight and always entertaining. Other guests were knowledgeable, but unpretentious – which is always welcome with wine drinkers.
Person sitting in stone archway, Gothic architecture style.
Mia P.
More Student Reviews of the Philly Wine School
What to Expect from a Wine Class?

What Makes Each Wine Class Special

The wine world had a problem: the true experts rarely engaged with the public, leaving most wine education in the hands of salespeople. We started the Wine School to change that. Our mission was simple—to bring real wine knowledge to life, connecting you with the people who know wine best. Here, you’ll learn with honesty, passion, and a refreshing approach to wine education that cuts through the noise.

Real Education

Whether you’re attending an introductory class or pursuing advanced certifications, you’ll be taught by the same expert instructors who lead our Advanced and Master-level courses—trusted by winemakers and sommeliers alike.

Real Passion

We love our chalkboards almost as much as we love wine. Think Dead Poets Society—but with sommeliers. From “carpet diem” to “carpe vino,” our instructors combine deep knowledge with an infectious passion for wine, making every class as entertaining as it is educational.

High Quality

Our wine cellar is the envy of sommeliers everywhere. Every wine poured in our classes is carefully selected by your instructor and our cellar master. The goal isn’t just to showcase what’s popular—it’s to elevate your palate and help you discover the extraordinary.

Our Executive Team

Our school is lead by Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe. Keith, a passionate winemaker with a background in education is complimented by Alana, a polished lawyer turned sommelier. Together, their unique perspectives and talents have created one of the most awe-inspiring wine education platforms in the nation.
wine tasting classes,wine tasting classes
Alana Zerbe
Director of Wine Education
From DC lawyer to winery worker, Alana Zerbe is a Pennsylvania native who discovered her true passion in the vineyards. Trading her briefcase for pruning shears, Alana immersed herself in the Virginia wine industry before earning her sommelier credentials through the National Wine School. Over the past decade, she has become a key figure in wine education and one of the most beloved wine instructors in the country.
wine tasting classes,wine tasting classes
Keith Wallace
Founder
Journalist turned winemaker turned university professor, Keith Wallace founded the Wine School of Philadelphia with a vision to revolutionize wine education. Known for his influential and innovative approach, Keith has redefined how wine is taught and appreciated across the nation, inspiring a new generation of wine enthusiasts and professionals.

The Origin of Wine Tasting

Wine tasting is ancient, spanning thousands of years, when wine was a staple of social and religious life in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Those original tastings assessed the quality and suitability of wine for rituals or trade. Over the years, methods of formal wine tasting evolved, especially during the Middle Ages in Europe. Structured wine education was imported into the US by the 20th century. Over the past decade, wine schools have proliferated across the country.

Wine Tasting Schools

The top wine schools in the US offer a wide variety of wine-tasting classes, from Wine 101 to the First Growths of Bordeaux. So, whether you’re a beginner or a master sommelier, a school should have the perfect class for you. Classes are typically organized into three tiers: Learn About Wine, Wine Essentials, and the Luxury Level. As a rule, the less expensive classes are designed for beginners.
The top schools are never hosted by restaurants or hotels: they have their own classrooms and offices, like any other school would. They are also staffed with academics and winemakers, not employees.

Wine Tasting Classes

Taking classes should be fun and educational. We suggest taking classes that fit your schedule and maximizing your enjoyment and knowledge. Of course, if you are serious, we strongly recommend enrolling in the Core Sommelier Program, accredited by the National Wine School.

The best wine classes are three things: hedonistic, intellectual, and individualistic. The absolute best way to enjoy a class is with a romantic partner or alone. These three are not to be shared with friends.

SOMM cites our classes in Philly as “the best wine experience in America.”

Wine Tasting Classes

Taking classes should be fun and educational. We suggest taking classes that fit your schedule and maximizing your enjoyment and knowledge. Of course, if you are serious, we strongly recommend enrolling in the Core Sommelier Program, accredited by the National Wine School.

The best wine classes are three things: hedonistic, intellectual, and individualistic. The absolute best way to enjoy a class is with a romantic partner or alone. These three are not to be shared with friends.

SOMM cites our classes in Philly as “the best wine experience in America.”

Learn About Wine

The building blocks of wine knowledge are here, so don’t miss out on these beautiful wine-tasting classes.

In these classes, you will learn the basics of wine: how to read a wine label, discover the differences between wine types, some fundamental sommelier secrets, and why you like certain wines and not others.

We suggest taking between two and four classes in this section. In addition, we recommend taking the Core Wine Program to gain a comprehensive understanding of these subjects.

Wine Essentials

This series introduces you to the world of wine-tasting classes. It offers all the essential bits of wine knowledge.

Learn about Italy’s wines (France, Spain, Australia, America, or Germany), take a class on Champagne and bubbles, delve into rare wines from exotic locales, or taste wines from American history.

This series of classes will blow your mind and expand your palate. A student should take between four and eight courses in this section.

We recommend taking the Intermediate Wine Program to understand these subjects comprehensively.

Luxury Classes

These wine education classes are designed to highlight the best wines in the world.

This is where things get seriously awesome. Some of our most famous classes are offered at the Luxury Level: Barolo & Beyond, the Sommelier Smackdown, the Sommelier’s Guide to Pinot Noir, and The Lux Cab Class.

These classes are among our premium offerings and attract sommeliers from cities like Manhattan and Washington D.C. We strongly suggest taking three classes to round out your wine studies.

Wine Education Near You

We get a lot of questions regarding classes in other states. We defer to other wine schools to guide you to the best “wine tasting classes in NYC,” “wine tasting classes in Houston,” and all those other pesky “wine tasting classes near me” you folks are looking for. However, if you are in Chicago, we recommend this wine school.

Continue Shopping →
Item added to cart.
0 items - $0.00
Checkout