Sommelier Certificate Course FAQ

Course Schedule and Format

• Frequency: Offered twice annually, in spring and fall.
  Schedule: Choose Tuesdays OR Wednesdays, 6 PM EST, for 21 consecutive weeks. Each class lasts approximately two hours, with potential extensions of 15–30 minutes.
  Location:

  • In-person: Midtown Manhattan.

  • Remote option: Limited to five students per session (via Zoom).

Course Structure

• Content: Theory, lectures, and wine tasting of at least 90 benchmark wines from around the world.

• Final Exam: Held in-person at our classroom space in Midtown Manhattan. No remote option available.

Remote Participation

• We recognize that not all students can attend in person for a variety of circumstances. For this reason, we offer a limited number of remote seats each session.

• Students who attend the course remotely will need to prepare for the wine tastings at their own location. The list of bottles are mostly sourced from wine.com and a list will be provided to those registered as remote ahead of the session. It is estimated that 4-5 wines will be sampled during each regional course, and each bottle typically costs $20-40. The Program Director is also available to discuss alternatives if the specific label is not available at time of purchase.

• Remote learning is best suited for students who:

  • Cannot easily commute to our location in Midtown for 6PM EST class start

  • Have scheduling constraints that prevent consistent in-person attendance

  • Need a temporary virtual option due to scheduling conflicts

• Wine selection sourcing:

  • We do not rebottle wines into tasting vials for shipping. While this practice is available in some online wine programs, we believe introducing multiple variables that may compromise freshness, traceability, and the overall integrity of the wine is not compatible with our program. In fact, a crucial part of our education goes beyond simply tasting the wine. It is important for students to handle the bottle: reading and understanding labels, handling uncorking, and practicing proper storage and wine service. These elements are essential to building confidence, context, and professional fluency as well as tasting notes.

  • As a remote student, you have full access to all the educational tools you need to fully engage with our tasting curriculum wherever you are. This approach ensures that every student, whether in-person or remote, experiences wine in a way that aligns with our standards of quality, professionalism, and depth of learning.

Registration

• Enrollment Options: Select "In Person" or "Remote" at registration.

• Switching Modalities: Moving from remote to in-person requires advance approval.

• Students may not switch between Tuesday and Wednesday class sessions.

• Class Recordings: All classes are recorded and accessible through our student portal.

Course Overview

• Objective: Comprehensive study of oenology and significant wine regions, designed to prepare industry professionals.

• Certification: Passing the final exam awards a Sommelier Certificate diploma and pin from the SSA.

Instructors and Curriculum

• Faculty: Courses are led by NYC-based sommeliers and industry professionals.
  
  Topics Covered:

  • Major wine regions and wine laws

  • Business and service techniques

  • Historical & current vintages

  • Market trends
    
    Study Resources:

  • SSA Lecture Handbook (downloadable PDF)

  • Weekly interactive quizzes

  • Tasting of 90+ benchmark wines
    
    

Who Should Enroll?

• Hospitality professionals advancing in their careers.

• Sommeliers, beverage directors, and consultants refining their expertise.

• Serious enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge.

• Networking: Students gain valuable industry connections within the NYC wine scene.
  
  

Why Choose SSA?

• Instructors: NYC-based sommeliers and industry professionals.

• Regions Covered: All major wine production regions on the globe.

• Course Materials: Continuously reviewed & updated to reflect industry trends, regions not traditionally covered.

• Interactive Learning: Cooperative learning environment with offsite tasting groups encouraged.

• Exam Preparation: Attendance, reading materials and weekly quizzes.
  
  

Course Fees and Payment

• Fee: $3,250, including classroom wines. Remote students purchase wine separately.

• Payment Options: Full payment or three monthly installments of $1,083. Payments accepted via credit card (Stripe) or check.

• Additional Inclusions: GuildSomm International membership, Stölzle, and Coravin discounts
  
  

Final Exam

• Format: Written portion and blind tasting component.

• Requirements: Minimum score of 80% for certification, 95% for distinction.

• Policy: Must be taken in person; offered twice a year.

• Postponement: Exam may be postponed with written permission.
  
  

Special Enrollment Options

Audit One Class

• Availability: You may register for any single class from our Course, "Audit One Class" (when available).

• Confirmation: Seat confirmations are non-transferable.

• Cancellation: Cancellations are accepted 24 hours before class begins. After 24 hours, the fee can be applied to another single class during the same session. Email us to inquire.
  
  

Policies

• Registration: Must be 21 years old. Payment and application required before course start.

• Seat Confirmation: Email confirmation required. Do not attend without confirmation.

• Absences: Advised to limit to three absences.

• Make-Up Classes: Up to 3 permitted with approval and availability in the next session.

• Dress Code: Casual business attire recommended.

• Recording Devices: Not permitted. Notify SSA if you do not wish to be photographed.
  
  

Cancellation and Refunds

• Certificate Course: No refunds after classes begin. No penalty refunds only when requested in writing a minimum of one month prior to first class date.

• Audit One Class: Refunds available 24 hours before class. Fee transferable to another class within the same session.
  
  

Comparison to Other Programs

• Unique Features: Founded in 1954, NYC-based, no prerequisites, seminar size classes, comprehensive certification program.

• Compatibility: Comparable with WSET Level 3 and CMS Advanced programs.
  
  

Payment Methods

• Accepted Methods: Credit cards via Stripe and checks (arrangements via email).