Fine Vintage is a leading provider of wine education in North America. We offer the WSET courses, which are professional qualifications in wine with international recognition, and our own specialty courses. James Cluer MW is the owner and operator of Fine Vintage. He is just one of only 400 persons in the world to have obtained the prestigious Master of Wine title. We have a team of over 20 highly-qualified instructors who will offer you the knowledge they have garnered in the wine industry.

WSET is short for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, established in London in 1969. The WSET is an independent accredited educational institute based in London that has offered the WSET courses for more than 50 years. The courses are recognized by The Institute of Masters of Wine who oversee the syllabus. The WSET courses are well known throughout the world and are considered the gold standard in wine education. WSET is taught in 70 countries in 18 languages, bringing international recognition to each qualification level. WSET focuses its attention on the global wine industry, not just on one particular country or region. WSET is widely respected by employers involved in the business of wine in such fields as management, retail, import/export, sales/distribution, or buyer.

Yes, most employers look for WSET certification. Many graduates work in wine importing, retailing, or for wineries. Some are Food and Beverage (F&B) directors, others are Sommeliers, and others are wine buyers. Whatever wine career you are hoping to pursue, the WSET certification can help you get there.

The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) courses were created by a private individual in Ontario who developed a series of courses and exams, and then certified students as “sommeliers”. The ISG courses are primarily offered just in North America and are not well known internationally. The ISG is not recognized by the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Fine Vintage is North America’s largest Approved Program Provider of the London-based WSET certifications, offering the Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Diploma Awards in Wine qualifications. Fine Vintage is also the 2011 winner of the Riedel Trophy for Educator of the Year and has been nominated for this Trophy 4 times.

Additionally, we offer non-WSET courses which include the American Wine 101, Canadian Wine 101, French Wine 101, Sensory Masterclass, and the Tasting Masterclass series. Courses to suit everyone!

We have a wide range of people taking our courses – young and old, men and women, industry types and general wine enthusiasts. At each table there is inevitably an interesting mix of people. Some are professionals seeking to enhance their career; others are looking to start a career in the wine industry; some are connoisseurs; and others come for the great wines and the good times.

Our courses follow the precise format offered by the WSET in the UK. We do not agree with course providers offering the WSET curriculum in shorter timeframes as we believe it is impossible to properly cover the materials in shorter timeframes than we offer. At Fine Vintage, we prioritize the student.

We welcome general-interest wine enthusiasts also. At the Levels 2 and 3, at least 50% of students are attending out of general interest.

It depends on the location, but we typically offer each course several times per year in most locations. Our Level 3 courses are held less frequently.

No. Level 1 is not a pre-requisite for taking Level 2. However, if you do not have a solid basic understanding of tasting and wine, we strongly recommend taking Level 1 as Level 2 is substantially more difficult. Most of our students take Level 1 so there are no gaps in their knowledge, and for this reason they typically achieve higher results at Level 2.

Level 2 is not a pre-requisite for Level 3, but the level of study is significantly more challenging between Levels 2 & 3 than between Levels 1 & 2. For this reason, it is generally not recommended to go straight into Level 3. It has been our experience that students who go directly into Level 3 fail the exam. To go straight into Level 3, you should have at least 5 years’ experience in the wine trade, have visited several wine regions, and have extensive formal tasting experience.

Yes, this is a WSET UK requirement. All applicants must have successfully completed and passed the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. There are no exceptions made by the WSET UK.

You need to be of legal drinking age in the location you are taking your course.

You will be charged the full amount at the time of registration. Please note that we only accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. All registrations must be done online.

The cost includes the tuition, all wines, exam fees and a study guide. It does not include the wine glasses (except for all WSET Level 1 and Level 4 courses where each person is given the wine glasses free of charge).

Students must use ISO professional tasting glasses for Fine Vintage courses. If you have previously taken a course with us, purchased our glasses and still have all 6 intact, then you do not need to purchase a new set. If you are taking a course with us for the first time and do not have ISO tasting glasses, then yes, we require the use of specific glasses at our courses and you will not be permitted to use any other type of glass.

If you are uncertain about whether you have placed an order for the tasting glasses at the time of registration, please refer to your original receipt. If your invoice includes a charge for a “Starter Kit”, it indicates that you have indeed made a purchase. If you forgot to purchase one, please proceed to the next FAQ — “How do I order a set of tasting glasses?”  Remember that the wine glasses are our gift to you free of charge for all WSET Level 1 and Level 4 registrants.

The cost is $49. Once payment has been made, a receipt will be sent to your email address. Your instructor will give the set of tasting glasses to you on the first day of the class.

To place an order click on the country where you are taking the course:

• Canada
• USA

Please ensure you are using a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express as these are the only three credit cards we accept. Also, please close and re-open your browser and try registering again as your computer may be storing history. If you are still having a problem, please contact us and we will get you registered right away.

When you identify the course you wish to take, if it is full the course and location will state: “This class is full – please contact us to be added to the waiting list.”

No, payment plans are not available. Fine Vintage charges the full amount at the time of registration.

Please ask your employer to register you online.  The receipt will be emailed to the email address provided during the registration process.  All course information is sent to the registrant via email.

WSET Levels 1 – 3 & Fine Vintage Proprietary Courses

Full payment is charged at the time of registration. Your payment is non-refundable but you can transfer it once to another person or to a future course of the same type, if you contact us 14 days or more before the start date. In the rare event Fine Vintage has to cancel a course you will receive a 100% refund.

There are no refunds for missing courses due to inclement weather or personal circumstances. We do not cover travel expenses in the event that we need to cancel a course due to low registration. This decision is made more than 2 weeks prior to the course start date. If at this time, Fine Vintage cancels a course, a refund will be issued in full.

Please click here to view the Fine Vintage Tuition Refund Policy.

WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines

Students may receive a partial refund depending on the timing of their cancellation. Please click here to view the Fine Vintage Diploma Tuition Refund Policy.

Yes, but you need to email us at least 14 days before the start date of your original course. Only one change is permitted per registration.

Please click here to view the Fine Vintage Tuition Refund Policy.

For WSET Level 1, you will be sent an access code to download a PDF copy of the Study Guide.

For WSET Levels 2 & 3, you have the option of receiving:

• an eBook Study Pack with access codes sent to you within 2 business days of registration.
• a hard copy Study pack that will be mailed to you within 10 – 15 business days of registration. Postage fees will apply.

For the Fine Vintage American Wine 101, Canadian Wine 101, French Wine 101, and Italian Wine 101 specialty courses, a PDF booklet is sent to you upon registration.

Diploma Level 4 study materials are all online via the student portal and access is granted a few months prior to the course start date.

Please contact the federal and provincial/state authority to determine your eligibility to attend the course. We do not provide visa sponsorship.

Yes, we offer electronic Gift Certificates for our courses. Simply select the “Purchase Course as Gift” button beside any course session. After you complete the registration you will be emailed a sales receipt and the gift certificate code will be emailed to the recipient at the time and date you select. They can use the gift certificate code for any Fine Vintage course. You can also purchase a gift certificate in any amount by clicking here.

Please visit the location page for details on parking. It is listed underneath the address of the venue.

No, please contact us 4-6 weeks before each course begins to ensure the course will proceed before you book any travel. We do not offer refunds on travel.

We do not recommend hotels as everyone has their own preferences.

We want you to feel as comfortable as possible. Some people wear jeans and a t-shirt and others come directly from work in a suit. There is a wide range of dress.

Out of respect for your classmates, however, we do encourage refraining from excessive body and hair odours from such things as scented shampoos, colognes, and perfumes. This can be distracting for fellow students and impede everyone’s ability to assess wine properly.

You just need to bring a pen, notebook, and your tasting glasses (unless you are picking up a Starter Kit on the first day of the course).

All Fine Vintage courses are taught and examined in English.

Typically, there are a maximum 24 students in a class. This allows for plenty of interaction and there is a lot of open discussion.

The instructor for your course will be listed on the website. However, we reserve the right to substitute instructors if required.

You will have guided tastings of between 12 and 16 wines throughout the day. At Fine Vintage we are well known for the benchmark quality wines we pour.

Yes, you may participate in most of our courses and write the exam without tasting. The exception to this is the WSET Level 3 and 4 Awards in Wine as a tasting element is part of the exam so it is therefore necessary to taste the wines.

For regularly scheduled course dates as part of a multi-day course, students are not required to advise of any absence. Attendance is taken at the start of each day. No compensation will be provided for non-attendance. Likewise, should your schedule require you to leave a class early, you are welcome to do so as long as it does not interrupt the presentations. If you miss any portion of a class, it will be up to you to ensure that you have read the textbook and are prepared for the exam. All exam questions come from the textbook.

Please note that instructors are unable to provide copies of their presentation materials but will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the course content.

If a student is unable to attend a previously scheduled exam, they must notify Fine Vintage in writing to info@finevintageltd.com no later than 14 days prior to the exam date. If the notification of non-attendance for an exam is received within less than 14 days before the exam date, the student must provide a letter of exemption (e.g. doctor’s note) no later than 3 days after the exam is held.

Please click here to view the Fine Vintage Attendance Policy.

Unfortunately, we do not allow any visitors to join in a class or substitutions if you cannot attend a class.

Food pairings at the Level 1 are intended to support the lesson, but you are not required to eat the food items. Please avoid food items you cannot eat.

We suggest you bring gluten free crackers for your own consumption.

No. Some of our locations are near local restaurants, but others are not. Please search online for options available in the area prior to the course. You are welcome to bring your own lunch to class.

If you require special accommodations for your exam session and have a documented report of your disability, it is crucial that you contact us within the specified timeframe. We require a minimum of 25 business days for Levels 1-3 and a minimum of 45 business days for Level 4.

Exams take place on the last day of a course.

For the WSET courses, each student is registered for the exam 14+ days prior to the course end date and exams will be ordered. If you are unable to sit the exam on the final day of class, please notify our admin team via email prior to this time and we will provide you with an alternative exam date. Please note that an administration fee will apply because each WSET exam is name, date, and location specific, so a new exam must be ordered.

All WSET Level exams are based on the content of the study guides. The in-class presentations and tastings are also based on the study guides. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you read your study guide at least 3 times prior to the exam.

For the WSET courses, Fine Vintage also provides you with review questions. These questions are meant to supplement your studies and are not extracted from actual WSET exams.

The exam for each WSET Level varies slightly. All three Levels involve a multiple-choice component, but Level 3 also has a short-answer and a tasting component. The exams for the Level 4 Diploma are altogether different. Please visit our Wine Course Overview webpage to see the specific exam format for each Level.

All students must bring one piece of government-issued photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport) with them to the exam. Failure to do so will result in being unable to write the exam. This is a policy established by the WSET to verify it is actually you who is sitting the exam.

You are required to bring one government-issued photo ID on the day of the exam. Fine Vintage will supply sharpened pencils, erasers, and extra paper.

All exams are graded in London, UK. You will receive an email from Fine Vintage notifying you if you have passed or failed the exam within the following time frame:

• WSET Level 1 or Level 2: 4 – 6 weeks from the exam date
• WSET Level 3 or Level 4: 8 – 10 weeks from the exam date

The WSET in the UK will issue an exam grade transcript and, in the case of a passing grade, a certificate for the specific WSET Level completed. Depending on your location and the time of year, the student will receive these via post 2 – 4 weeks after the email notifying you of your passing grade.

NOTE: If you have changed (or intend to change) your mailing address or name since the time of your course registration, please notify us immediately so that we can update our records. 

Once you have successfully obtained the WSET Levels 2, 3, or 4, you will be able to use the designation of “WSET Certified” on your business cards, stationary, and personal documentation. The designation is recognized throughout the world and is very highly regarded. Please click here to download the form for Level 2 Award in Wines, Level 3 Award in Wines, and Level 4 Diploma in Wines. Complete the form, sign it, scan the document and email it to us. Upon receipt we will send you the WSET logo as a JPEG file.

If a WSET certificate has been lost or damaged in transit or by the candidate, details have been spelt incorrectly, or the candidate has changed their name, a Replacement Certificate Request Form should be completed and sent to the WSET in the UK with the appropriate fee as detailed on the form. All details should appear on the form as they were at the time of registration. If you are in possession of the original certificate, this must be returned to the WSET in the UK before a duplicate can be issued. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing such applications.

For Fine Vintage replacements, please email us.

Students who fail or miss a WSET exam may re-sit the exam until a successful grade is achieved. There will be a re-sit fee for each exam ordered. This fee includes the cost of the exam and an administration fee. The re-sit fees are as follows:

• WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: $75.00
• WSET Level 2 Award in Wines: $150.00
• WSET Level 3 Award in Wines – Tasting Exam: $100.00
• WSET Level 3 Award in Wines – Theory Exam: $200.00
• WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines – Unit D1 (Wine Production): $300.00
• WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines – Unit D2 (Wine Business: $300.00
• WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines – Unit D3 (Wines of the World) Tasting Exam: $775.00
• WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines – Unit D3 (Wines of the World) Theory Exam: $425.00
• WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines – Unit D4 (Sparkling Wines): $400.00
• WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines – Unit D5 (Fortified Wines): $400.00
• WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines – Unit D6: $275.00

Students who have previously passed a qualification or component unit cannot re-sit these exams to improve their grade. Only students who fail or miss a qualification or component unit can re-sit an exam.

It is possible to do an exam re-sit on the next available exam day for your appropriate course Level at any of our course locations. Except for the Level 4 Diploma, exams are always held on the last day of a course session. Please note that if you would like to re-sit an exam, the request and fee must be received by our office a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the exam date requested. Please do not email us more than 4 weeks prior to an exam date as the dates are only tentative up until this point in time.

To re-sit a Fine Vintage exam, please email us.