Italian Wine Essentials makes the complex world of Italian wine accessible and engaging. Discover the culture, cuisine, history, viticulture, and winemaking principles behind Italy’s top wine regions to quickly grasp the intricacies of Italian wine.

Educator: Ted Beteta

What happens when the same grape grows in a totally different climate? In this side-by-side tasting, we’ll explore how cool vs. warm climates shape the flavor, structure, and style of two of the world’s most versatile grapes: Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir. From zippy, high-acid whites to bold, fruit-driven reds, we’ll break down how growing conditions impact alcohol, tannin, body, and ageability.

Educator: Kimberly Jones

This 4 week intensive course guides you through exploring global wine styles, grape varieties, production methods, reading wine labels, and assessing wine with WSET's SAT. This course will include a tasting of approximately 35 wines.

Educator: Ted Beteta

Join us for an open house-style tasting and fundraising event that brings together global flavor and local pride in honor of Atlanta Rugby—2025 USA National Division II Champions.

We’re pouring 5 wines and 3 beers inspired by the top-performing nations in Rugby World Cup history—plus one special Atlanta-brewed beer celebrating our hometown heroes.

Whether you're prepping for CMS or WSET—or just want to get better at calling what’s in your glass—our Sunday blind tasting group is the place to sharpen your skills in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Tucked between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, Slovenia is quietly producing some of the most compelling wines in Europe — and it’s time you got to know them. In this deep-dive masterclass led by Slovenian wine specialist Manjula, we’ll explore the country’s diverse wine regions, indigenous grape varieties, and cutting-edge natural and traditional winemaking styles.

For this crowd-powered night of delicious experimentation, each guest brings one component for a communal charcuterie board — think meats, cheeses, jams, pickles, olives, or anything weird and wonderful. We’ll build the ultimate grazing table together, while tasting our way through a lineup of versatile wines supplied by OI while mixing and matching to find the best (and worst!) pairings.

Some of the world’s most celebrated wines are built on balance — and that balance comes from blending. In this class, we’ll explore five legendary blends that have shaped wine history: the structure-driven reds of Rioja, the rule-breaking Super Tuscan revolution, the sun-soaked richness of Rhône’s GSM, the zesty elegance of Bordeaux Blanc, and the fine-tuned fizz of Champagne.

Often overshadowed by the Médoc or Right Bank giants, the wines of Graves and Pessac-Léognan deliver elegance, complexity, and age-worthy structure — with none of the hype (yet). In this insider tasting, we’ll explore four expressions from Grand Cru Classé producers.

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wine Exam is a 2.5 hour closed-book examination comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions, short written answer paper, and a blind tasting of 2 wines.

This is for exam registration only.

Love Brunello but hate the price tag? Dreaming of Amarone without the splurge? This class is your guide to drinking Italy’s boldest, most iconic wine styles — for way less. We’ll explore how to spot the best-value bottles from the same regions, often made by the same producers, but labeled under lesser-known or declassified names like Rosso di Montalcino, Langhe Nebbiolo, and more.

Some of the most exciting wines in the world come from the places you'd least expect — wind-beaten coastlines, glacial valleys, and frost-prone hillsides barely warm enough to ripen grapes. In this drop-in class, we’ll taste through wines from the outer edges of the wine map: Tasmania, Patagonia, England, and New York’s Finger Lakes. Along the way, we’ll explore how extreme climates and marginal growing conditions produce wines with electric acidity, delicate structure, and a distinct sense of place.

Join us for a hands-on class designed to help you identify and connect aromas found in wine. Through smelling fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, we'll explore how these "banker aromas" relate to specific grape varieties. With five or more wines available for tasting, you’ll gain practical experience while participating in an open community discussion. This is a fun and interactive way to enhance your wine knowledge and sensory skills!

Theme: Herbs & Vegetables

Think all 98-point wines are created equal? Think again. In this revealing class, we’ll pull back the curtain on the world of wine scores — who gives them, how they’re awarded, what they cost (financially and politically), and whether they actually matter to your glass. From palate preferences of top critics to the influence of big brands, we’ll explore how scoring shapes the wine world — and where it falls short.

Every decision a winemaker makes leaves a trace — if you know what to look (and smell) for. This class trains your palate to recognize key winemaking techniques by their structural and aromatic signatures. Through a guided tasting, we’ll explore the sensory clues of oak fermentation, carbonic maceration, oxidative aging, and lees contact. You’ll learn how to spot lifted esters, creamy textures, oxygen-driven development, and more — building your ability to reverse-engineer how a wine was made, just by tasting it.

Whether you're prepping for CMS or WSET—or just want to get better at calling what’s in your glass—our Sunday blind tasting group is the place to sharpen your skills in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Tucked in the French Alps near the Swiss border, Savoie is one of France’s most overlooked — and most exciting — wine regions. In this class, we’ll explore the crisp whites, refreshing reds, and distinctive local varieties that thrive in this cool, mountainous terrain. Expect lively acidity, unexpected complexity, and a whole new appreciation for grapes you’ve (probably) never heard of.

Educator: Sofia Yankelevitch

Whether you're on the floor or just want to serve with more finesse, this hands-on class covers the gold standard of sommelier service — from presenting and opening bottles to pouring with precision and handling common service scenarios with confidence. Led by a 20+ year industry veteran with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants and elite private clubs, this workshop is your chance to learn directly from one of the best.

With Advanced Sommelier Jason Wilfore

Love Champagne but not always the price tag? In this class, we explore four exceptional sparkling wine regions that use the same traditional method with wildly different results. From the steely elegance of British Sparkling to the nutty depth of Franciacorta, the long-aged precision of Cava Gran Reserva, and the cool-climate finesse of Tasmanian fizz, you’ll discover how place, grape, and patience shape these serious sparkling wines.

For those who like to taste with context, our sighted tasting sessions dive deep into a different theme each time — from single-varietal deep dives to regional explorations and lateral comparisons that sharpen your sense of style, structure, and place.

Theme: TBD

Whether you're prepping for CMS or WSET—or just want to get better at calling what’s in your glass—our Sunday blind tasting group is the place to sharpen your skills in a relaxed, supportive setting.

In part two of our deep dive into the world’s most iconic blends, we shift the spotlight to the producers — the visionaries, rebels, and legacy houses who turned regional traditions into global empires. From the prestige-driven bubbles of Champagne to the sun-drenched gravitas of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the storied cellars of Rioja, the renegade Super Tuscans, and the liquid gold of Sauternes, this class unpacks the business behind the blend: how style, storytelling, and scale helped shape what we now consider the pinnacle of wine.

Tasting includes high-tier examples of each blend — bold, cellar-worthy, and built to impress.

What happens when vines grow closer to the sky? In this class, we’ll explore the unique traits of high elevation wines — from piercing acidity and vibrant aromatics to lower alcohol and slower ripening. You’ll learn how altitude affects everything from grape physiology to final flavor, and taste through a curated lineup of wines grown in mountain vineyards around the world. From the Andes to the Alps, Etna to Elqui, this is a guided tour through the peaks of fine wine.

Raise your glasses to an exquisite year of wine appreciation as we invite you to join us in celebrating the 3 year anniversary of The Oenophile Institute! Immerse yourself in an enchanting open house party filled with delights. Share your passion with fellow enthusiasts in a spirited bottle share, and let's toast to many more years of unforgettable wine moments.

Whether you're prepping for CMS or WSET—or just want to get better at calling what’s in your glass—our Sunday blind tasting group is the place to sharpen your skills in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Can your palate tell the difference between a $7 bottle and a $37 bottle? In this fun, judgment-free blind tasting, we’ll pit Trader Joe’s wines against comparable styles from well-known producers to explore where value ends and quality begins. You’ll taste side-by-side flights without knowing what’s in your glass until the final reveal.

Guest Educator: Sofia Yankelevitch

Step into the shoes of a wine sleuth for an evening where every glass becomes a delicious mystery. Blind tasting isn’t just a party trick—it’s one of the most rewarding ways to understand and develop your palate. By exploring wine without any labels or expectations, you’ll learn to trust your senses and uncover the hidden clues that reveal what’s in the glass.

Looking to learn about wine? Our WSET Level 1 course equips you with the essential skills to talk and taste like a pro.

There is no previous knowledge necessary to enroll in this course.

This course guides you through exploring various wine styles using your senses of sight, smell, and taste. You'll also learn crucial principles related to wine storage and service.

Educator: Ted Beteta

For those who like to taste with context, our sighted tasting sessions dive deep into a different theme each time — from single-varietal deep dives to regional explorations and lateral comparisons that sharpen your sense of style, structure, and place.

Theme: TBD

Whether you're prepping for CMS or WSET—or just want to get better at calling what’s in your glass—our Sunday blind tasting group is the place to sharpen your skills in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Are we training tasters to think… or just to conform? In this opinionated (and eye-opening) session, our lead educator takes the mic to unpack the unspoken issues behind the tasting grids used in major wine certifications.

Level 3 is where wine theory gets real — and where a lot of students start to feel overwhelmed. This drop-in class is designed to help you study smarter, not just harder. Whether you’re currently enrolled in WSET Level 3, planning to take it soon, or tackling an equivalent exam (CMS, WSG, etc.), we’ll cover proven techniques for mastering regions, grape varieties, and exam formats.

WSET Level 3 Award in Wine is designed for both wine industry professionals and enthusiasts who want to expand their knowledge. It offers a comprehensive understanding of grape cultivation and wine production for those who want to delve deeper into the world of wine. Upon completion you will be able to assess wines accurately, and use your understanding to confidently explain wine style and quality.

Educator: Chelsea Young

Whether you're prepping for CMS or WSET—or just want to get better at calling what’s in your glass—our Sunday blind tasting group is the place to sharpen your skills in a relaxed, supportive setting.

This qualification is intended for beginners wishing to learn about a wide range of wines or those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. You’ll gain knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown, and the styles of wine they produce. Through a combination of tasting and theory, you’ll explore the factors that impact style and quality and learn how to describe these wines with confidence.

Educator: Ted Beteta

Ever wondered why one bottle costs $12 and another $120? In this eye-opening class, we’ll break down what really goes into the price of a bottle of wine — from vineyard labor and land costs to oak barrels, aging time, packaging, distribution, and (yes) marketing. We’ll also explore what drives up the cost of cult wines, how bulk wine stays cheap, and whether “you get what you pay for” actually applies.

Join us for a hands-on class designed to help you identify and connect aromas found in wine. Through smelling fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, we'll explore how these "banker aromas" relate to specific grape varieties. With five or more wines available for tasting, you’ll gain practical experience while participating in an open community discussion. This is a fun and interactive way to enhance your wine knowledge and sensory skills!

Theme: Citrus and Tree Fruits

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wine Exam is a 2.5 hour closed-book examination comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions, short written answer paper, and a blind tasting of 2 wines.

This is for exam registration only.

What happens when two top tasters trained in completely different systems go glass-to-glass in a blind wine battle?

Watch as they each identify the same mystery wines using their own deductive methods, break down testable markers, and explain how structure, aroma, and technique lead to a final call. Expect bold calls, sharp insights, and maybe a little friendly shade.

Italian Wine Essentials makes the complex world of Italian wine accessible and engaging. Discover the culture, cuisine, history, viticulture, and winemaking principles behind Italy’s top wine regions to quickly grasp the intricacies of Italian wine.

Educator: Ted Beteta

Discover the science behind wine’s aromas and flavors at this immersive, full-day workshop led by sensory scientist Sietze Wijma DipWSET.

SOIL enrichment trips are immersive educational experiences designed to deepen your understanding of wine in its place of origin. These expertly curated journeys blend hands-on wine education, cultural exploration, and sensory discovery. From walking historic vineyards to engaging in expert-led tastings and savoring local cuisine, each SOIL trip offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the traditions, terroir, and craftsmanship behind the world’s finest wines.

Looking to learn about wine? Our WSET Level 1 course equips you with the essential skills to talk and taste like a pro.

There is no previous knowledge necessary to enroll in this course.

This course guides you through exploring various wine styles using your senses of sight, smell, and taste. You'll also learn crucial principles related to wine storage and service.

Educator: Chelsea Young

This qualification is intended for beginners wishing to learn about a wide range of wines or those seeking to build on the introductory knowledge gained with the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. You’ll gain knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown, and the styles of wine they produce. Through a combination of tasting and theory, you’ll explore the factors that impact style and quality and learn how to describe these wines with confidence.

Educator: Ted Beteta

The Champagne Specialist Course from Comité Champagne offers an in-depth exploration into the world of Champagne, covering its rich history, unique terroir, production methods, and diverse styles. Participants gain specialized knowledge and skills essential for understanding and recommending one of the world's most renowned sparkling wines, recognized globally for its quality and heritage.

Educator: Chelsea Young

Looking to learn about wine? Our WSET Level 1 course equips you with the essential skills to talk and taste like a pro.

There is no previous knowledge necessary to enroll in this course.

This course guides you through exploring various wine styles using your senses of sight, smell, and taste. You'll also learn crucial principles related to wine storage and service.

Educator: Ted Beteta

Sommlympics 2026 | The Ultimate Wine Competition

Sommlympics is back—and bolder than ever. This high-stakes showdown pushes wine professionals to their limits, testing sharp minds, steady hands, and finely tuned palates across three equally demanding arenas: theory, service, and blind tasting. Teams of three industry experts—whether they work the floor, the cellar, or the classroom—will battle it out under pressure, all in a thrilling new venue with revamped rules and game-changing prizes. This isn’t just a competition. It’s a celebration of mastery, nerve, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in wine.