what is the Wine & Spirit Archive?

The Wine and Spirit Archive is Portland's premier wine and spirit education center. We offer recreational as well as accredited certification courses and are the northwest’s exclusive “Approved Program Provider” for the world-renowned courses of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

what is the WSET?

The WSET is the educational affiliate of the Institute of Masters of Wine (MW). The WSET was founded in 1969 to provide high quality education and training in wines and spirits. Since then, WSET has grown into the foremost international body in the field of wines and spirits education, with a suite of sought-after qualifications.

The WSET is the leading global organization providing informative, entertaining courses in the field of wines and spirits, plus a range of sought-after qualifications for professionals and enthusiasts.

Over 15,000 people took a WSET wine course last year. Although based in London, the WSET has over 250 centers in 35 countries.

WSET Graduates include some of the top wine professionals and wine educators in the world, as well as hundreds of thousands of wine devotees seeking the most thorough wine education.

In the U.K., completion of WSET's Advanced Certificate and Diploma classes are pre-requisites for Master of Wine candidates.

why WSET courses?

The WSET is the world’s most recognized wine certification program and is generally recognized as “the” program for individuals seeking to become a Master of Wine. Simply put, the WSET courses are without parallel.

Of the last six people in North American to pass the Master of Wine (MW) exam, four had successfully completed the WSET program.

In the coming years, the WSET Certificates programs will be recognized as essential credentials within the global wine industry.

In short, the WSET provides the finest and most comprehensive wine education available, whether you wish to further your career in wine, start a career in wine, or just further your wine knowledge.

what are the differences between the WSET certification classes and the recreational classes?

Our recreational classes are short (typically two-three hours), informal and focused courses geared to providing everyone with a fundamentally sound understanding and appreciation of wine in a fun atmosphere. No prior wine knowledge is necessary or expected. There is no examination or certification. In short, these classes are fun, informal, yet highly informative.

The WSET certification classes are much more rigorous and challenging. The classes require outside readings from a course textbook and provide students with a certificate upon successful completion of the exam. The WSET classes are for both consumers and those in the wine trade, and are recognized throughout the world as providing the strongest and the broadest wine education possible. In many countries, successful completion of the WSET Diploma is a prerequisite for the Masters of Wine.

how do the WSET certification classes differ from other wine classes?

The WSET program provides a rigorous education program aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of wine and the wine industry.

The WSET classes place particular emphasis on the skills required to taste and assess wine professionally. While other wine education programs may provide certifications recognized in the restaurant and hotel trade, or cater to those interested in teaching about wine, the WSET Certificates are internationally-recognized credentials that can be applied throughout the global wine industry.

who should take the WSET certification courses?

The WSET courses are ideal for those in the wine trade—i.e., people working for restaurants, retail wine shops, distributors or wineries, or in fields such as journalism, marketing, or education. These courses, however, are also perfectly suited for wine enthusiasts who wish to enhance their knowledge of the multitude of wines and spirits produced throughout the world.

The WSET is a strongly recommended prerequisite for entering the Masters of Wine Program, the most difficult and demanding wine examination in the world.

what is the structure of the WSET certification program?

The WSET classes are a progression, beginning with Level 2, the Intermediate Certificate, followed by Level 3, the Advanced Certificate, and Level 4, the Diploma. Each level covers the entire world of wine by geographical region— including viticulture, vinification, and appellation labeling laws— and also covers wine-tasting technique.

The standard starting point for students is the Intermediate Certificate - Level 2. While the Intermediate Certificate is not an absolute prerequisite to the Advanced Certificate, it is highly recommended, as it provides students with information and wine-tasting techniques that are essential to completing the more difficult Advanced Certificate.

The Advanced Certificate is a strict prerequisite for the Diploma Program. There are no exceptions.

what WSET certification programs are taught at The Wine and Spirit Archive?

The Wine and Spirit Archive is the only Approved Program Provider in Oregon for both the Intermediate Certificate and the Advanced Certificate. We do not currently offer Diploma courses.

should I begin with the WSET Intermediate Course or the WSET Advanced Course?

In general, we find that students with a broad foundation in principle wine regions, major grape varieties, legal regulations and appellations, viticulture practices and vinification methods can move directly into the Advanced Course. However, if your knowledge of wine is focused on specific regions and styles and you are unfamiliar with many of the wine regions and principle wines of the world, we recommend that you begin with the Intermediate Course. Still uncertain where to begin? Our online quiz will give you an idea of the type and scope of information covered in the Intermediate Course.

how do I register and pay for courses?

Payment can be made by credit card through the website or by check. Make check payable to The Wine and Spirit Archive and mail to: The Wine and Spirit Archive, 3621 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214. Your registration is secured once payment is received.

Payment by invoice is available for businesses registering multiple employees.

what is your refund policy?

WSET Courses: Cancellations must be received at least three business days before the course begins in order to receive a tuition refund, less a 10% cancellation fee. If you cancel your registration after this time, no refunds apply. However, your registration is fully transferable to another person for the same course and session, subject to qualification. If you miss a class, you are welcome to make up the class the next time the course is offered (maximum of two make up classes). If we have sent out the course study pack to you, you must return it, complete and unused, in order to receive full credit. Shipping fees are not refundable.

WSET Intensive Courses: Same as above, however, cancellations must be received at least 10 business days prior to the course start date.

Recreational Courses: No refund is available for recreational courses, however, your registration is tranferable to another student for the same course.

do I have to be 21 or over to take your classes?

Yes, because we taste alcohol in all of our classes, you must be 21 or over. Please make sure to bring proper identification to class with you.

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