Commonwealth Wine School

Founded in 2020, the Commonwealth Wine School (CWS) quickly emerged as a significant force in wine education in New England. Despite the challenges of opening during the pandemic, CWS established a vibrant and comprehensive curriculum that caters to a range of wine enthusiasts, from beginners to industry experts.

Wine Courses

CWS stands out as the Approved Program Provider for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the Wine Scholar Guild, and The Society of Wine Educators. The school offers an array of courses, including WSET Levels 1-4 in Wines, Spirits, and Sake. Emphasizing its integrated collaboration, the school includes Adam Chase, a renowned educator and former owner of Grape Experience, as its WSET Director. This partnership demonstrates CWS’s commitment to providing top-tier wine education and dispels any notion of a mere affiliate relationship.

The School’s Founding and Evolution

Jessica Sculley, with a rich background in math and science education, transitioned to the wine industry in 2017 after earning her Level Four WSET Diploma. Her journey in wine education included roles as a Wine Ambassador for City Wine Tours in Boston and a wine educator at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. In 2019, she ventured into wine education with Vintnicity, Inc., a precursor to CWS. By early 2020, Sculley found a permanent location for her vision, leading to the birth of the Commonwealth Wine School.

The Boston Rock Scene Connection

Unknown to much of America, Boston has a vibrant and longstanding local rock tradition. For a decade, the band Guillermo Sexo has been taking over the guitar-driven/angelic vocals tradition of Boston rock that Breeder, Blake Babies, and Letters to Cleo once dominated. Lead singer and local rock star Noell Dorsey has a side gig. She is also a sommelier. She is (as of this writing) one of the school’s wine teachers and the wine cellar manager for Skinner Auction & Appraisers. That is a wine class I am looking forward to.

Professional Wine Certification

While Commonwealth Wine School offers a variety of courses and certifications through recognized wine education bodies, it’s important to clarify that it does not position itself as a degree-granting educational institution. The school’s use of terms like “professional certification programs” aligns with its offerings and does not imply a status that would require oversight by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. This distinction is crucial in understanding the school’s place in the educational landscape and ensures transparency in its offerings and certifications.