The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) brings together the resources of the top educators, winemakers, industry leaders, premier restaurateurs, wine merchants, wineries and writers who all share a common goal to provide the world’s finest, most complete Sommelier education.
Established in 1982, the ISG has grown from its North American roots to become a truly global provider of Sommelier education and certification with host schools and distributors also in Canada, South America, Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania.
The ISG approaches wine studies from a global perspective. The curriculum is progressive, broad, and it provides students with up-to-date information both on the traditional wine, beer and spirits of the world. In addition, the ISG trains students in service and management techniques applicable to the global hospitality industry. Understanding that today’s global professional markets are quickly developing and incorporating other professions, the ISG degrees have also evolved and now include full oenology, wine business economics and nutrition as part of its disciplines.
ISG provides online and classroom-based education from a curriculum developed by wine and hospitality industry professionals as well as PhD. educators. Instructors include winemakers, chefs, restaurant owners, hospitality consultants, wine directors, importers, distributors and retailers who bring a wealth of hospitality experience and educational training into courses.
Courses are built step by step, starting with Intermediate Wine Certificate (IWC) followed by Advanced Wine Certificate (AWC), Sommelier Diploma Program (SDP), ISGM Sommelier and the ISGM Sommelier degree. ISG’s eight-week Intermediate Wine Certificate consists of six hours of study per week. Once successfully completed, students can go on to the 16-week Advanced Wine Certificate, also six hours per week, and ultimately take the 30-week, 10 hours per week, sommelier certification course.
One of ISG’s most important goals is to provide students with a standardized, globally relevant curriculum with multiple employment opportunities. With an educational approach through a team of qualified instructors, plus a dynamic curriculum, ISG classes are designed to lead wine professionals or enthusiasts down the path to Sommelier accreditation.