The Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) provides specialized certification programs on the wines of France, Italy and Spain for wine professionals as well as seasoned amateurs. WSG’s mission is to provide outstanding educational programming for the professional development of wine industry members and committed students of wine.
WSG was conceived by Julien Camus in 2005. While working at the French Embassy in Washington DC as a trade attaché for wines and spirits, Camus believed the wine education world needed a new certification program focusing solely on French wines. Finding support from the French Ministry of Agriculture, he put his plan into action. Today, the educational offering of WSG includes Italy and Spain—so the name changed from the French Wine Scholar to the Wine Scholar Guild.
A school network of more than 60 partners, spanning over 30 countries and on five continents, teaches the certification programs of WSG. WSG offers classroom and online curriculum that is either instructor-led or independent study, both backed by reading materials, quizzes and a comprehensive manual. Instructors are internationally recognized experts in their fields including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and wine writers. WSG’s community of wine professionals and committed students of wine learn from the most respected names in the industry and participate in some of the most privileged, exciting, and intellectually stimulating wine study immersion trips on the market.
For students who prefer to focus on a particular country, WSG offers French, Italian and Spanish studies, all of which can be further specialized with master-level certifications for distinct wine regions. Individuals who follow these in-depth programs and pass the exam earn the French, Italian or Spanish Wine Scholar title and corresponding post-nominal, which may be incorporated into a professional signature. The WSG’s master-level programs are wine industry-endorsed wine study programs for trade and advanced students of wine. Candidates can earn master-level certificates for accruing expertise in each of the wine regions of France including Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Champagne and Loire.
WSG members and students come from all over the globe and range from wine industry professionals to advanced students of wine. But they all share a passion for French, Italian and Spanish wines—and are committed to serious wine study. WSG provides resources and benefits to help wine professionals and students expand their wine knowledge, dig deeper into the diverse world of wines and continue on their wine learning journey alongside the world’s leading wine experts.
