Certificate Wine Course

Take an in-depth journey into South African wine with the Certificate Wine Course. Broaden your viticulture and winemaking knowledge, whilst learning about the industry, sparkling, sweet and dessert style wines, along with fortified wines and brandies.

Course overview
The Certificate Wine Course is made up of 7 two-and-a-half hour lectures, made up of theory and tutored tastings OR 3 full Saturday lectures. *

Lecture 1
» Tutored Wine Tasting

Lecture 2
» Viticulture. Seasons of the vine: how to establish a vineyard.
» Pests and diseases
» Wine Tasting and discussion

Lecture 3
» Viticulture. Wine growing areas of South Africa.
» Wine Tasting and discussion

Lecture 4
» Winemaking: from arrival at cellar till final product.
» Art of blending, wood treatments, innovations in winemaking.
» Wine Tasting and discussion

Lecture 5
» Brandy distilling. Process of production. Different styles
» Wine Tasting and discussion

Lecture 6
» Fortified Wines – Sherry, Port, Fortified Wines
» Wine Tasting and discussion

Lecture 7
» Sparkling Wines – methods of production, different styles
» Special & Noble Late Harvest wines – definition & different styles
» Wine Tasting and discussion

Before you start
1. Arrive 10–15 minutes before the starting time of the first lecture to facilitate registration.
2. Bring a pen or pencil and extra paper should you wish to make additional notes.
3. Bring your wine tasting glasses from the South African Wine Course to each class.

Who should do the course?
Attendees of the South African Wine Course or Front of House Course graduates.

Course duration
* Seven evening lectures or 3 full-day lectures and exams. The 3-day course is a compact wine course that takes place over three Saturdays. The theory and tasting exams will be written in June and November, in the evenings.

Successful completion of the Certificate Wine Course exams will enable students to enrol for the Cape Wine Academy’s Diploma Wine Course.

Course materials
All lectures include wine tastings and course manuals.

Important Advisory
• The Cape Wine Academy promotes responsible use of alcohol.
• We recommend the use of spittoons supplied at the tastings, to reduce the excessive consumption of wine during the tastings.
• It is advisable to eat a meal before the start of each class.
• Please don’t wear perfume or aftershave when attending the classes – it affects everyone’s ability to smell the wine.

Course downloads:
Application Form: Click Here | Certificate Wine Course Pack: Click Here