Florida’s connection to wine dates back to the 16th century, when Spanish settlers planted grapes near St. Augustine—the first recorded viticulture in what would become the United States. While the state’s tropical climate limits large-scale grape growing, it has become an important center for wine education and hospitality training.
The most established professional programs are based in Miami. The Florida Wine Academy, founded in 2014, is a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)–approved provider offering Levels 1–4 in Wines and Spirits, as well as Wine Scholar Guild courses and industry seminars. Nearby, Slate Wine & Spirits Academy delivers similar WSET training and beverage-management certification for hospitality professionals.
Florida is also home to three of the country’s smaller sommelier-certifying agencies: the International Sommelier Guild (ISG), the United States Sommelier Association (USSA), and American Sommelier, all of which have offered coursework and exams in the state for years.
Top Florida Wine Schools
