SOMM is an independent review board that evaluates professional certifications and educational programs in the wine trade. Editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by schools, certifying bodies, or sponsors.
We are a team of wine educators and industry professionals who analyze wine education protocols used in the United States. Our work examines programs offered by the Court of Master Sommeliers, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and a wide range of independent wine schools.
Advancing Standards in Wine Education
SOMM exists to study, compare, and clarify educational structures within the wine industry. Over the past decade, sommelier certification has evolved from a niche qualification into a large and complex education sector. Despite its growth, many advanced credentials operate outside established educational frameworks and do not align with local, state, or federal standards commonly applied to vocational or academic programs.
The absence of formal oversight creates inconsistency across programs and uncertainty for students evaluating their options. SOMM’s work focuses on identifying where wine education aligns with recognized educational practices and where gaps remain. Our goal is to provide transparent analysis that helps both students and schools understand how programs compare within broader educational norms.
SOMM publishes reviews of major sommelier certifications and wine education programs, outlining their structure, scope, and limitations.
In-Depth Reviews of American Wine Schools
In the United States, the structure and delivery of wine education often vary significantly from school to school. For that reason, SOMM evaluates programs at the institutional level rather than focusing solely on issuing bodies.
Members of our board attend classes at wine schools across the country each year and document their observations. Programs are assessed using consistent educational criteria, including curriculum design, instructional method, assessment standards, and transparency. Based on this analysis, SOMM publishes comparative reviews and identifies leading programs annually, including a designation for the Top Wine School in America.
Supporting Informed Choice in Wine Education
There is no unified national standard governing wine schools in the United States. As a result, students must navigate a fragmented landscape of credentials, formats, and claims.
SOMM’s role is to provide independent, structured information that allows readers to compare wine education programs on their merits. As sommelier certification continues to shape wine education in the trade, access to clear, unbiased analysis becomes increasingly important.