Wine Schools in America

Wine Schools Across America

The wine trade is no longer concentrated in Napa Valley and New York City. There are vineyards in nearly every state and wine shops in almost every major city from coast to coast. Wine is a fast-growing sector in the US economy, which means a growing need for wine-savvy employees and business leaders. Wine schools now stretch across the country in a way they never did before and offer a diverse roster of classes and certifications.

This directory covers every notable school in the United States, offering sommelier certification and wine classes to the public. The growth of wine & sommelier schools and the wine trade’s reliance on them has grown exponentially over the years. SOMM is where every school is reviewed and categorized by an independent board of wine professionals. Let us know if we miss a school you think we should have included.

Top 5 Wine Schools

There are hundreds of wine & sommelier schools across America offering sommelier certification. The following are the top-ranked schools.  In each listing, we include contact information, address, history of the school, notes about significant people, and what type of programs they offer.

A member of the SOMM team evaluates each school before being included in this list. SOMM also rates each school. For a full explanation of this rating, please see How We Rate Wine Schools.

Wine School of Philadelphia
Consistently ranked as the top sommelier school in America by critics and students alike.

Napa Valley Wine School
The go-to school in Northern California that offers almost every wine certification available.

Fine Vintage LTD
The go-to school for Wine and Spirit Education Trust classes, with classes across the states.

San Francisco Wine School
The brainchild of Master Sommelier David Glancy. A very posh school is ideally situated.

Institute of Culinary Education
This university-backed sommelier school is a rising star in wine education.

Four Flavors of Wine & Sommelier Schools

There are four categories of schools that you should be familiar with. An Accreditation Body develops testing and standards for certification. Wine Schools offer programs designed and run by international corporations and may not be accredited. A Wine Tasting School offers fun wine-tasting classes without any official certificate. A Sommelier School develops its curriculum and material and may be associated with a University or College that offers a wine program.

Sommelier Schools

51 Listings

Sommelier schools offer structured wine education for aspiring professionals and passionate enthusiasts alike. These programs cover tasting, service, viticulture, and global wine regions. The most respected schools are independent, with dedicated facilities that provide hands-on training, classroom instruction, and real-world experience in a professional setting.

Winemaking Colleges

17 Listings

As the American wine industry matures, so too does the infrastructure supporting its future leaders. Across the country, colleges and universities are offering robust programs in viticulture, enology, wine business, and fermentation science—each tailored to meet the demands of a growing and diversifying industry. From community colleges in emerging regions to flagship research universities in world-class AVAs, these programs combine hands-on training with academic rigor. Whether you’re an aspiring winemaker, vineyard manager, or wine marketer, the following profiles offer a comprehensive look at institutions shaping the next generation of wine professionals. We’ve highlighted each school’s background, curriculum, admissions, faculty, reputation, and unique features to help you find the best fit for your career path in wine.

Accreditation

10 Listings

In wine education, accreditation ensures a school meets industry-recognized standards for curriculum and instruction. Franchised schools often adopt the UK-based WSET system, known for its structured global framework. Independent programs typically align with the U.S.-based National Wine School, which offers flexible certifications tailored to American students and educators. The once-prominent Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) is now rarely used due to ongoing controversies surrounding its leadership and practices.

Wine Tasting School

8 Listings

Wine tasting schools focus on making wine education approachable and fun, offering casual classes for beginners and enthusiasts. These programs emphasize sensory exploration, wine styles, food pairing, and basic wine knowledge, without the pressure of exams or professional credentials. They're ideal for those who want to learn more about wine in an informal, enjoyable setting.

Online Schools

Online sommelier certification and virtual wine tastings are now a standard offering at schools across America. It benefits people not located in a major city and those with mobility issues. Unfortunately, only a few schools excel at both online and in-person classes. Here are the best online wine courses.

Schools By Region

Over fifty great schools across the country, from Miami to Seattle. Just click on your state and find a school near you. Our team of sommelier judges has attended every wine school listed. Once you take a class, please also contribute to our database by leaving a review!