Dive into the historic vineyards of Bordeaux’s Graves region with this advanced class, focusing on the esteemed Grand Cru Classé wines of Pessac-Léognan, Barsac, and Sauternes. We’ll explore the unique terroir that shapes these structured reds, age-worthy whites, and famous dessert wines - tracing their evolution from the 1855 classification to the 1959 Graves Cru Classé designation.

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: Stone & Tropical Fruits

Did you know they make sparkling wine in England? What about Tasmania? the Finger Lakes? Sparkling wine is made in every country that produces wine. Prepare to embark on an exploration of sparkling wines from every corner of the world you've never tasted before. In this engaging class and tasting experience, we'll journey together into the world of sparkling wines, with a focus on a unique and uncharted regions.

A blind tasting group covering both CMS & WSET systematic approach to tasting.

• 6 wines will be proctored blind - 3 whites and 3 reds of classic & testable regions.

• Done in a written, verbal, round robin style or solo takedowns depending on group size.

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

A blind tasting group covering both CMS & WSET systematic approach to tasting.

• 6 wines will be proctored blind - 3 whites and 3 reds of classic & testable regions.

• Done in a written, verbal, round robin style or solo takedowns depending on group size.

Get ready to uncork your inner wine detective! Prepare for an evening of wit, intrigue, and sensory mastery as we unlock the secrets of blind tasting. We'll guide you through the thrilling world of wine exploration without any visual clues, arming you with the tools to unravel grape varieties, regions, and more with finesse. No labels, just uncorked enigmas waiting to be decoded!

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

A blind tasting group covering both CMS & WSET systematic approach to tasting.

• 6 wines will be proctored blind - 3 whites and 3 reds of classic & testable regions.

• Done in a written, verbal, round robin style or solo takedowns depending on group size.

Join us for an intimate evening with author Keith Herdon, as he shares insights from his newly released book, Wine Conversations: Exploring Meaning, Mystery, and Myth. This special event offers a rare opportunity to dive into the stories and discoveries of industry professionals he interviewed, exploring the experiences, challenges, and inspirations that shape the world of wine.

A copy of Wine Conversations: Exploring Meaning, Mystery, and Myth will be given to all attendees.

Discover the vibrant world of Italian wine as we delve into the unique and smaller wine regions of Italy. From the thought provoking whites of Friuli to the volcanic reds of Campania, the sparkling wines of Trentodoc, and the distinctive flavors of Sardinian grapes, this journey will take you through Italy's hidden wine areas, showcasing the richness and charm of its lesser-known vineyards.

Welcome to a class that promises to challenge your taste buds and perceptions! In this session, we're diving deep into the world of Kirkland Signature wines and putting them to the test against their "supposed" label counterparts. Kirkland, known for its range of quality private label products, including wines, has garnered quite the reputation. But are these wines truly on par with their higher-priced, brand-name equivalents?

Guest Educator: Kelly Cornett

Join us for an in-depth exploration of Virginia’s Monticello Wine Trail with Kelly Cornett of A Cork in The Road Podcast and former winery manager. This engaging class uncovers the history, terroir, and standout wineries that define one of the most exciting wine regions on the East Coast.

Guest Educator: Kelly Cornett

Anyone can read a book or memorize facts but studying wine for certifications can be difficult (to say the least). There are maps, grape varieties by various names, and wine law that can make your head spin. Come learn how our lead educator has managed to never fail a theory exam.

Educator: Chelsea Young

Thought about taking your wine knowledge to the next level but don’t know where to begin? In this class, we will break down the different certifying bodies, what the exams entail, and what is best for you.

Educator: Chelsea Young

A blind tasting group covering both CMS & WSET systematic approach to tasting.

• 6 wines will be proctored blind - 3 whites and 3 reds of classic & testable regions.

• Done in a written, verbal, round robin style or solo takedowns depending on group size.

For just $30, you’ll get four half-glasses from a lineup of 30+ bottles—ranging from the obscure to the overstocked. No lectures, no quizzes—just a chance to sip, swirl, and help us make room for what’s next. Come hang and find your people.

Unlock the secrets behind winemaking techniques - learn to identify and appreciate the nuances created by malolactic fermentation to carbonic maceration. Understanding these techniques is crucial for any wine enthusiast or aspiring sommelier, as they directly influence the aromas, flavors, and textures found in wines.

This 3 day 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 40 wines.

Educator: Ted Beteta

Step beyond the polished world of textbook wine and into the thrilling gray area where flaws flirt with finesse. In this class, we’ll dive deep into the volatile beauty of wine’s most misunderstood traits—those aromas and textures that ride the fine line between defect and distinction.

This class is intended for advanced wine students, industry professionals, and enthusiasts looking to get nerdy.

An easygoing introduction to Portugal’s most refreshing wine. We’ll explore where it’s made, what’s in the bottle, and why it’s known for being light, bright, and just a touch fizzy. How to enjoy and talk about Vinho Verde with confidence — no experience needed.

A blind tasting group covering both CMS & WSET systematic approach to tasting.

• 6 wines will be proctored blind - 3 whites and 3 reds of classic & testable regions.

• Done in a written, verbal, round robin style or solo takedowns depending on group size.

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.

Chelsea's back from Pinot Camp so it's time to nerd out!

This advanced class and wine tasting elevate participants' knowledge of Willamette Valley wines by delving deep into six distinct sub-AVAs. The focus is on the intricate relationship between soil types, elevation, and the resulting terroir that defines each sub-AVA's unique character.

Educator: Chelsea Young

Over the past 40 years, a handful of vintages in the U.S. have risen above the rest—moments when winemakers whispered they just knew. In this immersive, one-time-only event, we’ll unravel what makes a vintage truly great in the U.S.—from drought years that gave us haunting intensity to cooler seasons that made acidity sing.

A blind tasting group covering both CMS & WSET systematic approach to tasting.

• 6 wines will be proctored blind - 3 whites and 3 reds of classic & testable regions.

• Done in a written, verbal, round robin style or solo takedowns depending on group size.

Come hang with fellow wine nerds for a relaxed night of sipping and sharing. Bring a bottle of your favorite daily drinker—something you actually love to drink, not just show off. You’ll get to try what others brought, swap recs, and connect with people who speak your language (and your palate).

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

Get ready to geek out over grapes that just can’t sit still. Pinot and Grenache aren’t just famous—they’re famously unstable, prone to spontaneous mutations that have given us a rainbow of styles: blanc, gris, and rouge. In this class, we’ll explore the science behind grape mutation, from genetic quirks to environmental triggers, and taste through the results—six expressions across both families.

A focused exploration of Vinho Verde’s complexity. In this session, we’ll dig into the region’s diverse subzones, uncover the distinct personalities of grapes like Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Avesso, and taste through the surprising range of styles from coastal to inland expressions. We’ll also examine how producers are crafting more structured, age-worthy wines while staying true to place. Come ready to reframe what Vinho Verde can be.

Blind Tasting & Vineyard Tour at Limoges Cellars

A field trip to Limoges Cellars in Cleveland, Georgia to tour their vineyards, learn about management, life cycle of the grape vine, and hosting our weekly blind tasting.

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

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

A blind tasting group covering both CMS & WSET systematic approach to tasting.

• 6 wines will be proctored blind - 3 whites and 3 reds of classic & testable regions.

• Done in a written, verbal, round robin style or solo takedowns depending on group size.

Explore the nuanced world of Pinot Noir through the lens of the Côte d’Or’s most iconic villages. This class offers a focused tasting of both village-level and premier cru wines from five distinct communes, showcasing how variations in soil, slope, and microclimate shape the character of Burgundy’s most celebrated red grape. Through side-by-side comparisons, students will deepen their understanding of terroir expression, quality tiers, and the stylistic differences that make each site unique.

Educator: Chelsea Young

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

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.

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.

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