This introductory seminar is designed for wine enthusiasts as well as wine and food service professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of wine. Taste 26 wines on your way to developing a basic understanding of Old and New World Wine, including lectures that cover history, terminology, and technical wine evaluation.
Participants have the option of earning one of 5 certifications upon successful completion of this seminar and its online certification exam:
- Professional Diplomas: Certified Wine Sommelier, Certified Wine Manager, Certified Wine Merchant, Certified Chef of Wine Arts (must already have been granted the title of Chef)
- Enthusiast (non-professional) Diploma: Certified Cellar Manager
This seminar is taught each month. Register early to reserve your space! Click a corresponding “Register” link to sign up. The cost of the seminar is $595 (includes wine, gourmet lunch, educational materials and instruction).
Level I: Register for the Guild On-Line Wine Certification Exam
For any of our Level 1 Wine Seminars you can sign-up for the diploma exam either before or after you attend the seminar. Or, before or after you complete the on-line lecture component of the seminar. If you sign-up for the exam and take it within two weeks of taking the seminar use the following registration:
Register: Level I Wine Seminar On-Line Exam ($50)
Take the exam at your convenience. When you sign up we will send you the information you will need to take the exam.
If you are signing up for the exam more than 2 weeks after you attended the seminar, use this registration:
Register: Level I Wine Seminar On-Line Exam ($100) – After 2 weeks
Take the exam at your convenience. When you sign up we will send you the information you will need to take the exam.
When you sign up for the on-line exam the Guild will send you an email with instructions on how to take the exam and a second email, from the company we use to administer the exam, inviting you to their website to the take the exam.
Level I: Register for the Guild On-Line Lecture Component
Register: Level I Wine Seminar On-Line Lectures Component of the Level 1 Wine Seminar ($300)
Go through the lecture component of the seminar at your convenience. When you sign up we will send you the information you will need to get a notebook and access the lectures.
The cost of the on-line lecture component includes 200 pages of classroom material as well as classroom material for the wine tasting component that we will mail to you (3-5 day delivery, if in the USA). In addition to the lectures component you will also have to register for the one-day wine tasting component ($345) which is taught in Denver. See the schedule at the bottom of the page.
When you sign up for the on-line Lecture Component the Guild will send you an email with instructions on how to set up your computer to complete the on-line Lecture Component and a second email, from the company we use to manage the lectures, inviting you to their website to download the lectures.
Level I: Register for the Guild In-Class Wine Seminar
This is our weekend Level 1 Wine Seminar that we have been teaching for over 28 years that includes In-Class lectures and wine evaluation for 26 wines.
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, January 04 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, January 05, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, February 01 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, February 02, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, March 01 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, March 02, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, April 05 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, April 06, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, May 03 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, May 04, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, June 07 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, June 08, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, July 05 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, July 06, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, August 02 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, Aug 03, 2024 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, September 06
and 8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, September 07, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, October 04 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, October 05, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, November 01 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, November 02, 2025 ($695)
Register: Level I Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
8:30AM – 5:30PM – Saturday, December 06 and
8:30AM – 1:00PM – Sunday, December 07, 2025 ($695)
Level I: Register for the Guild One-Day Wine Tasting of 26 wines.
Tasting component that goes with the on-line lecture component of the Level 1 Wine Seminar.
Register: Level I Wine Tasting Component of the Level 1 Wine Seminar – Denver, CO
9:00AM – 4:00PM – Saturday, May 17, 2025 ($495)
When you sign up for the on-line Tasting Component the Guild will send you an email that states you are registered for the Tasting Component of the Level 1 Wine Seminar.
Registration & Cancellation Policy:
You must register for courses through the International Wine and Spirits Guild. Online registration closes 1 day prior to class start date. If you need to register after the close date, please contact the International Wine and Spirits Guild at 303-296-3966.
Because we purchase wines and food based on the number of registrants, no-shows are charged a non-refundable fee equal to $525 per person, unless other arrangements are made at least 7 working days in advance of the seminar.
If for any reason a seminar is canceled we will phone or e-mail you 48 hours prior to the start of the seminar. If a seminar is canceled at the last minute due to bad weather (this is very rare) we will reschedule the seminar. However, if a seminar is held and you decide not to attend because you believe the weather is bad then it will be treated as a no-show.
It is highly recommended that you register early, your credit card will not be charged until ten days in advance of the course. We must have a minimum students registered in order to form a course. If you are traveling from out of town to attend, please do not make travel arrangements until two weeks in advance of the seminar or course.