Masterclass Series

The Sommelier Society of America is thrilled to kickoff the 2026 Masterclass Seminars and Certifications series.

The SSA Masterclass series offers students and alumni the opportunity to continue their wine education with a focused purpose, diving into one major wine region to dissect its specific terroirs, history, varieties, winemakers, and more. Led by experts in the business, the Masterclass series are comprised of 2 90-minute courses followed by a brief exam for specialty completion certificates. Students will taste 12-15 wines per course and engage in deeper discussions on producers, terroir, and wine styles.

Our first offering is on Austrian wines, led by Austrian native Katja Scharnagl. Austrian wine has something for everyone, in addition to be on the forefront of organic & biodynamic production it offers a wide range of diversity. From Sekt to the classic wines to natty & world class sweet wines.

Katja has been an active member of New York City’s wine community since 2011. She worked at Le Bernardin, one of the world’s most respected dining institutions, where she contributed to a program built on classical benchmarks and precision service. She later opened Koloman in NYC, building and leading the wine program with a strong emphasis on Austria and Central Europe, bringing regional depth and identity to the forefront of a contemporary wine list.

An Austrian native, Katja brings particular expertise in the wines of Austria, with a focus on its historical foundations, regional distinctions, and modern stylistic evolution.

In addition to her restaurant leadership, Katja has experience in wholesale and distribution. This combined perspective — fine dining and business — informs her teaching and allows her to present wine within a broader professional and economic context.

She holds multiple sommelier certifications and is deeply committed to wine education. Her teaching approach combines structure, clarity, and practical insight, offering students a rigorous and well-rounded understanding of wine from vineyard to market.

April 20th and 27th (Mondays)
6pm-7:30pm, Sud de France location in midtown
$269.95 Total

Come continue your education and networking with the first and longest continuously running sommelier program in the country.