The Sommelier Certificate Course is offered twice annually, spring and fall sessions.

This Course is held on Tuesdays at 6PM EST: 21 consecutive weeks, Theory and lecture classes, wine tasting selections covering at least 40 benchmark wines of the world, ending with a final exam. Class time is two to 2 1/2 hours.

In Person classes are held at La Maison in Midtown Manhattan. The final exam is offered in classroom at La Maison. There is not a remote option for the final exam at this time.

Remote Learning option is available: Students may register to attend and participate in the classroom via a Zoom link. The remote option allows students to join the live classroom and participate via a private Zoom link. Remote students are provided a list to purchase wines separately. If one were to purchase every wine we taste in class, 88-90 bottles per semester, the cost would be up to $3000. One can also accomplish some of this by visiting local restaurants and having wine by the glass ranging from 12-$15 per glass. The wine tasting selections are easy to access from any major wine shop with a collection of wines from around the world from every major growing region. We suggest stores like Astor, Total Wine, etc. The remote option is limited to five students per Course session.

You must select one option when registering, “In Person” or “Remote”. In person seating is limited; those who register with the remote option may not attend classes in person without advance written permission if a seat is available. Students who register in person may join remotely, typically due to scheduling conflicts.

All classes are recorded and shared exclusively with the students to use as a study tool throughout the session.

The Sommelier Certificate Course is a comprehensive and intensive study of oenology and the significant wine regions of the world. Our signature course designed to prepare industry professionals for the service, knowledge, tasting skills and business acumen needed to design and manage a successful wine program.

· Those who enroll in our wine education program and pass the exam will receive a Sommelier Certificate diploma and pin. Which means that you are a certified Sommelier (certified by the SSA).

All classes are instructed by a team of experienced New York City sommeliers and industry professionals. Students passionate about wine will learn through dynamic lectures, SSA Handbook and flights of a minimum of 40 benchmark wines of the world for comparative and deductive tasting. Students benefit from a series of customized weekly on-line quizzes, geared at improving final exam performance.

Who Might Take Our Course

Our mission is to provide the highest standard of excellence in wine education for those seeking to advance their careers and for those passionate about wine seeking to expand their wine knowledge. SSA is a New York City born and based program that provides an outstanding and comprehensive wine education curriculum, and gives students tremendous networking opportunities in all fields of the wine industry in New York City.

Why Take Our Course?

Instructors:
The SSA faculty is comprised of New York working career professionals and sommeliers with expertise in all aspects of the wine industry. Our students also engage with visiting winemakers and have access to a network of alumni and other industry leaders.

Wine Regions:
All major wine production regions, and business & service techniques are covered. Tasting Selections feature 40 benchmark wines of the world, including comparative and deductive tasting classes.

Curriculum: The Certificate Course is an intensive program rooted in the vibrant New York City wine trade. It covers the foundation, appreciation and business trends of the US market:

• Interactive tasting analysis of benchmark wines and top producers
• Review of current and historical vintages for each region
• Current market trends and business application

Class Atmosphere:
Deviating from the typical memorization-heavy, “here’s-the-book-go-home-and-read-it” methods, SSA classes are highly interactive and stress cooperative learning. We encourage and assist students in creating their own tasting groups for offsite discussions and test preparation.

The final exam includes a written portion and blind tasting component. Students will have online collateral and weekly “Test Your Knowledge" quizzes and materials to prepare them for the certification test. Those who pass the exam will receive the SSA Sommelier Certification Diploma.

Benefits Your Career:
SSA students graduate equipped with the necessary foundation and business skills needed to design and manage a successful wine program.

Personal Attention:
A live person is available on a daily basis to engage in discussions on any aspect of wine education and classes. Each and every inquiry is valued and care is taken to respond with complete and detailed suggestions.

Course Fees:
The Sommelier Certificate Course fee is $2,995. We also offer an installment payment plan: four monthly payments of $748.75, for a total cost of $2,995. This fee includes wines tasted in the classroom setting. Remote students are provided a list to purchase wines separately.

Tuition includes:
Text book: The World Atlas of Wine, 8th Edition
PowerPoint presentations
SSA Handbook in PDF booklet format
SSA Tasting Notebook
Pulltap brand wine key
Weekly on-line quizzes
Virtual class recordings
Final exam with a blind tasting component*
Slack workspace
Student Portal for all materials and class recordings

Upon passing the final exam with a minimum score of 80%, students receive the SSA Sommelier Certificate Pin and Diploma. Students who score a minimum of 95% receive a pin and diploma with distinction.

*The final exam in offered in person only at this time. Remote students who wish to sit the final exam must be available to sit in person on the date scheduled.

Can I register for one class?

You may register for any single class from our Course for $150 "Audit One Class". If you decide to continue your wine study with us during the same session, the single class will be prorated towards the Certificate Course fee. Seat confirmations are not transferrable. Cancellations for "Audit One Class" are accepted 24 hours before class begins; after 24 hours one may apply the fee to another single class the same session only.

How are we different than WSET or CMS and other wine organizations?

• The SSA was founded in 1954 and is exclusively based in New York City. We do not offer our certification course or advanced tasting workshops outside the city.

• We are not affiliated with the Court of Master Sommeliers or the Wine and Spirits Education and Trust, which are based in London.

• We do not require any prerequisite courses to enter our programs.

• Instead of multiple levels, our certification program covers a broad foundation, and our deductive tasting method is compatible to what is taught in the WSET Level 4 and CMS Advanced programs.

• We discuss every major wine region on the planet, review current market trends that are relevant to sales as well as train our students on notable and challenging vintages.

What Payment Methods Do You Accept?

There are two payment methods: Credit cards & check We accept all major credit cards via Stripe.

If you wish to pay by check, please email us to make arrangements.

REGISTRATION POLICIES

Minimum Age:
You must have reached 21 years of age to take this course. At the discretion of the Education Director, you may be asked for proof of age.

Tuition Deadline:
Application and payment (they must be submitted together) are accepted prior to commencement of the fall or spring session of the Sommelier Certificate Course. Seating is limited and seat reservation is dependent on space available.

Seat Confirmation:
You will received a seat confirmation email 24-48 hours after registering. You must confirm receipt of this email. Please check spam folders, and add our email to your contacts.

Once your seat is confirmed, and you have paid your tuition (in full or the first installment), you will receive written seat confirmation.

**Please do not attend the first day of class without seat confirmation.

Payment Options: payment in Full, and payment by Subscription
Registration is completed by selecting your payment option. You may pay in full, meaning the full fee for the Course at the time of registration. You may also pay by subscription, four equal monthly payments of the Course fee at the time of registration. If you wish to pay by check please request this option by email: info@sommeliersocietyofamerica.org. Bank fees incurred from returned checks are the responsibility of the individual or organization responsible for payment. Payments by installment must be made on time and according to the agreed upon dates.

Subscription Payments:
Selecting this option you will be charged one quarter of the tuition fee in four equal monthly installments. Please be sure to keep your card information current before you are charged each month. If a payment does not go through, the site will attempt to charge the card provided again in five days. After the second failed attempt the subscription is automatically cancelled. Cancelled subscriptions cannot be reversed. It is the students’ responsibility to keep their card information current. If your subscription is cancelled and you do not contact us to re-register, you will receive a refund for the amount paid, and your seat will be offered to the waitlist.

Final payment must be received in full in order to sit the final exam. Balance must be paid in full for eligibility to re-enroll in the Course.

Final Exam:
The final exam applies to the Sommelier Certificate Course: The two-hour final exam questions are based on information from lectures, class handouts, and textbook reading assignments. There is a blind tasting component of the exam. Students may postpone taking the final exam until the next session; students may also retake the final exam.

The final exam must be taken in person. At this time there is no remote, online or virtual option.

The final exam is given twice a year, at the end of each session.

Absences:
A student may have a maximum of four absences. Missing more than four classes leaves the student unprepared for the final exam.

Diploma:
A passing grade of 80% is required to receive the Sommelier Society of America Certification Diploma. Students who score a minimum of 95% receive a pin and diploma with distinction.

Make-Up Classes:
One may take a make-up class with the permission of the Chairman and providing there is space available. The make-up class must be taken the next session only. One may not retake more than four classes without contacting the administration office to get approval. To re-take the entire course, one must re-apply and pay the full tuition.

Recording Devices are not permitted. For promotional and social media purposes, there may be photographs taken during classes. Persons who do not wish to be filmed or recorded should advise SSA by email prior to the start of the Course session.

Dress Code:
Casual business attire recommended.

Retake Exam Policy:
The final exam for the Sommelier Certificate Course is given twice a year, at the end of each session. The fee to retake the Sommelier Certificate Course exam is $150.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:
No refunds are issued once classes begin for the Certificate Course.

Please plan carefully. A no-penalty full refund must be requested no later than one month prior to the first day of class.

Seat confirmations are not transferable.

Cancellations for "Audit One Class" are accepted 24 hours before class begins; after 24 hours one may apply the fee to another single class during the same session only. Please plan carefully. Seats are not transferrable.

COVID-19 Policy:
We abide by the COVID safety protocols and practices as mandated by New York State and New York City guidelines for businesses. You may be asked to provide proof of vaccination to attend classes in person. Proof of vaccination must be provided prior to the first class. Scans of vaccination cards or screenshots from Excelsior apps can be sent via email to: info@sommeliersocietyofamerica.org