The Wine Smarties is the proud San Diego County satellite of Neptune School of Wine, WSET Approved Program Provider, Centre 838!
Why to Join the WSET Course: Watch Lindsay Teaching the WSET Course in Action!
Looking to Get Into the Wine Industry? Here's what NBC is saying about the WSET in San Diego
Here's what WSET graduates are saying about the course:
WSET Testimonials
I think Lindsay did an awesome job of teaching the course curriculum. She is a fountain of knowledge.
Lindsay is very engaging and entertaining and makes the complicated material easier to learn. I would recommend the WSET to a friend especially with Lindsay as the instructor.
Lindsay is terrific because she makes everything fun! She has such a broad knowledge that she easily is able to create stories about what we are learning and tie it all in seamlessly.
The tastings were enormously helpful-and we tasted some pretty darn good stuff!
What a fabulous class! Not only did I learn a ton about wine in a very comfortable and welcoming setting, but I really met some phenominal people. So many thanks for introducing me to the world of wine. With the product knowledge and contacts through your class, I was able to secure my first position in the wine industry with a wine distributor-so two thumbs up!
Wanted to say thank you for the class. Last week I was at the French Gourmet, and the end of the “class” , he had a blind tasting, and to my surprise I was able to tell it it's age, the grape varietal, and region. It was a 2005 Bordeaux. This was so cool for me, because before I took your class I new NOTHING about French wines and there is no way I would have known a Merlot was a Bordeaux, much less how to tell that a wine was young vs old. So again thank you!
When I began my research for where to receive the best education in wine, I thought I would have to drive up to L.A.. Luckily I came across The Wine Smarties and soon learned more about Lindsay, her approach to teaching and programs with the WSET. After taking Lindsay's classes, I began my search for a job to accelerate my knowledge of wine and I entered the industry almost immediately. I was then better prepared to talk about, teach and sell wine. Lindsay is personable, helpful, very knowledgeable, and extremely passionate about helping people gain confidence in understanding the grand world of wine. Whether you are looking to join the industry or become an educated enthusiast, Lindsay is your best choice.
WSET Certification Courses
The Wine Smarties presents the first internationally recognized wine certification program in San Diego as overseen by Neptune School of Wine. The Wine Smarties is the approved San Diego satellite of Neptune School of Wine, a WSET Approved Program Provider. The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) was founded in 1969 in London, England to promote, provide and develop high quality education and training in wines, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages for those already in or already in or intending to join the trade and enthusiastic consumers throughout the world. Since it'sinception, WSET has grown into the leading and most recognized educational program in the alcoholic beverage beverage industry worldwide. Currently, the program is available in over 47 countries in 13 languages and teaches an astonishing 21,000 students every year.
The WSET courses are ideal for wine and spirits enthusiasts, professionals, or those interested in entering the industry. For professionals and consumers alike, the WSET provides an easy to understand, professional approach to learning about each wine region in a comprehensive way. You will also learn learn how to systematically taste wines in a way that sets you apart. Its certifications are internationally recognized credentials that can be applied throughout the wine industry, not just to specific segments such as restaurants. If you wish to pursue the Master of Wine accreditation, WSET serves as an acknowledged feeder program to prepare you for that pursuit.
As the San Diego County approved Satellite and student of Peter Neptune, Master Sommelier, Neptune School of Wine, Lindsay Pomeroy of The Wine Smarties is the first person in the San Diego County to offer such an esteemed certification. This is very exciting for San Diego County. All course materials, program syllabus, examinations and registration are overseen by Peter Neptune of Neptune School of wine, WSET CENTRE 838: Neptune School of Wine.
The WSET Level 2
Intermediate Certificate in Wines and Spirits
The WSET Intermediate Certificate is intended as vocational training in product knowledge for those employed in the beverage industry, and those who have little to no previous knowledge of wines and spirits.
The course is also appropriate for those not employed in the industry but have a serious interest in wine or spirits and wish to broaden their knowledge in a structured way.
The Intermediate Certificate Level 2 course covers the wines and spirits of the world and is followed by a one-hour multiple choice examination. Wine tasting is a part of every class.
Course Program
- Level 2 systematic Approach to Tasting and food and wine matching
- Grape growing and wine making
- Key wine and spirit producing regions
- Key grape varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Grenache
- Sparkling and sweet wine
- Fortified wines plus spirits and liquer
Intermediate Course Schedule
Below are the dates for the Intermediate class series. We are now enrolling for Fall 2010! We are now offering the Level 2 in North County!
Level 2 Class Session at KnB Wine Cellars in San Diego: ENROLLING FOR THE FALL SESSION!
Class 1 is on Saturday, October 30th, 10am-2pm
Class 2 is on Saturday, November 6th, 10am-2pm
Class 3 is on Saturday, November 13th, 10am-2pm
Class 4 is on Saturday, November 20th 10am-2pm
Examination will be on Saturday, December 11th from 11am-Noon
Level 2 Class Session at Orfila Winery in North County: ENROLLING FOR THE FALL SESSION!
Class 1 is on Monday, November 1st, 6:30-8:30pm
Class 2 is on Monday, November 8th, 6:30-8:30pm
Class 3 is on Monday, November 15th, 6:30-8:30pm
Class 4 is on Monday, November 20nd 6:30-8:30pm
Class 5 is on Monday, November 29th, 6:30-8:30pm
Class 6 is on Monday, December 6th, 6:30-8:30pm
Class 7 is on Monday, December 13th, 6:30-8:30pm
Class 8 is on Monday, December 20th 6:30-8:30pm
Examination will be on Monday, January 10th from 7-8pm
Intermediate Course Pricing
The Intermediate Certification costs $810 for the teaching, all course materials, and the exam. 10% booking discounts if you enroll with at least one other person.
The WSET Level 3
Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits
The WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate is intended to provide in-depth knowledge of a wide range of wines and spirits and is open to students who hold the WSET Level 2 Certificate or can demonstrate knowledge at Intermediate level through completion of equivalent courses or sufficient experience in the wine and spirit industry.
This qualification is also suitable for the wine enthusiast wishing to build on knowledge gained at level 2. All sessions include tastings.
The Advanced Certificate is a unitized course, covering wines and spirits of the world in considerable depth, and students are required to prove competency in theory and tasting. The examination for the Advanced Certificate is in 2 parts: a theory exam of 50 multiple choice questions and 4 short-answer questions, plus a tasting examination consisting of a blind tasting of one wine.
Course Programme
- Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting
- Viticulture and Vinification
- France 1: Bordeaux and South-West France
- France 2: Burgundy and Alsace
- Loire, Rhone and South of France
- Germany, Austria, Hungary, UK
- Italy, Spain, Portugal
- Eastern Europe, New Zealand and South Africa
- The Americas, Australia
- Sparkling Wines
- Fortified Wines
- Spirits and Liquers
Advanced Course Level 3 Schedule
Level 3 Class Session at UCSD La Jolla: ENROLLING FOR THE SUMMER/FALL!
The Advanced Certification costs $1200 for the teaching and all course materials. There is a flat $150 discount passed onto students who have taken the level 2 program from me. The exam costs as additional $150. 10% booking discounts if you enroll with at least one other person.Class 1 is on Sunday, August 22nd, 10am-2:30pm
Class 2 is on Sunday, August 29th, 10am-2:30pm
Class 3 is on Sunday, September 12th, 10am-2:30pm
Class 4 is on Sunday, September 19th 9am-1pm
Class 5 is on Sunday, October 17th, 10am-2:30pm
Class 6 is on Sunday, October 24th, 10am-2:30pm
Class 7 is on Sunday, October 31st, 10am-2:30pm
Class 8 is on Sunday, November 7th, 10am-1pm
Examination will be on Sunday, December 5th from 11am-1pm
The WSET Professional Certificate in Spirits
Professional Certificate in Spirits
The WSET Professional Certificate in Spirits is intended to provide a thorough knowledge of spirits and liqueurs to underpin job skills and competencies, for example, in customer servie and sales in the hospitality, retail, wholesale, and spirits sectors of the industry.
The course is also appropriate for those not employed in the industry but have a serious interest in spirits and wish to broaden their knowledge in a structured way.
The Professional Certificate in Spirits covers the history, production, and styles of principal spirits and liqueurs of the world. Each session will include a comparative product tasting. The examination is a 1 hour multiple choice exam.
Spirits Course Program
- Production of spirits and liqueurs
- The market for spirits and liqueurs
- Service of spirits and liqueurs
- Brandy
- Whiskies
- Gin and other flavored spirits
- Rum, Tequila, Vodka, Liqueurs
Spirits Course Schedule
Below are the dates for the Spirits class series. We are now enrolling for summer 2010!
Professional Certificate in Spirits Class Session at K&B Wine Cellars: ENROLLING FOR THE FALL SESSION!
Spirits Course Pricing
The Spirits Certification costs $675 for the teaching and all course materials. The exam costs $135 in addition. 10% booking discounts if you enroll with at least one other person.
How to Enroll
For further information and to enroll, contact Lindsay Pomeroy by email or phone (619-955-8884).
The Wine Smarties WSET Program is overseen by Peter Neptune, Master Sommelier and DWS, of Neptune School of Wine.