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Northwest Wine Appellation Specialist NWAS™

  • All levels
  • 21 and older
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  • 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
  • 18 hours over 6 sessions

Start Dates (0) $595/person

No upcoming dates are currently available.

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Class Description

Description

Learn the scope of pacific northwest wine...

The Pacific Northwest is becoming more popular than ever for its high-quality wines and wineries and is the second-largest source of wine from North America. Many of the regions within it stand toe to toe qualitatively with California, France and other great wine regions of the world. San Francisco Wine School’s Northwest Wine Appellation Specialist NWAS™ was created by David Glancy, MS, CWE and Fred Swan, DWS. Wine Appellation is a term mostly used in relation to where wine grapes are grown and this course was created to provide the first and only in-depth, professional credential dedicated solely to this important region.

This 4-class series and certification exam helps students understand the diverse terroirs and wine styles of this dynamic region and features a comprehensive, up-to-date, and formal education on every wine region in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Idaho.

  • Understand how and why Pinot Noir varies between Willamette Valley AVAs
  • Learn Oregon’s unique wine purity and labeling laws.
  • Discover the Chateauneuf-du-Pape of Oregon, the desert of British Columbia, and the unique aspects of the Columbia Valley’s climate and topography which make it ideal for red Bordeaux and Rhone varieties, and the surprising number of producers in Idaho.
  • Dive into the history, current trends and details on every AVA.
  • Engage in curated guided tastings for each region to enhance learning.


GUIDED BLIND WINE TASTING EXERCISES

  • Blind taste over 60 wines to enhance learning objectives. All wines are selected by Master Sommelier David Glancy and our instructors to represent all the AVAs of California.

Program Syllabus 

Northwest Wine Appellation Specialist NWAS™ features 4 workshops and the final exam with time to study over a 6 week period. Each class within the full program can be taken as a single workshop. Click the links to learn more!

  • Pacific Northwest Overviews & Southern Oregon
  • Willamette Valley, Oregon
  • Washington State
  • Idaho and British Columbia
  • NWAS credential exam 

Why Is NWAS Important?

Washington and Oregon are the second and fourth biggest producers of wine in the United States. If British Columbia were an American state, it would be the fifth largest producer. Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is one of America’s hottest wines right now. And almost 50% of Oregon vineyards are certified sustainable. Whether you’re a consumer or in the trade, the Pacific Northwest is a region you need to know. 

Enrollment Includes 

  • Program Registration 
  • In-Person Exam Fees - online upgrade is available for additional fee
  • Northwest Wine Appellation Specialist NWAS™ Manual
  • Guided tastings of over 30 wines throughout the program
  • Twelve hours of lecture & discussion with an industry leading instructor
  • San Francisco Wine School Water Bottle
  • Certificate upon successful completion 

Requirements

No prior wine education necessary, however we encourage first-time wine students to take a blind tasting workshop prior to enrolling in this program.

All attendees must be 21+ years.

Refund Policy

Cancellations and reschedules for full programs are accepted up to 11 business days prior to the start of the course with an option to transfer full credit to a future class OR receive a full refund less a 5% cancellation fee.

Recordings are available to students who are unable to attend live classes. Full program students who give at least 8 business days notice of their absence in an individual workshop may request to have a tasting kit created for no additional charge. No further make ups will be allowed.

If you need to cancel registration in any other program after the notice period, you will be refunded $70 for each class that you do not attend with a minimum notice of 11 business days. Study guides and any other course material must be returned in unused condition or the cost of the materials will be deducted from the total refund.

If you need transfer to a future program within the 11 business days notice period, a $150 transfer fee will be collected at that time. Transfers will be effective 1 week after notice has been provided and fees must be paid at that time. Recordings will be available for workshops prior to the transfer effective date. Your registration is fully transferable to another person for the same program and session with no fees.

There are no refunds available for individual workshops or special events. Recordings are available to students who are unable to attend live classes. Full program students who give at least 8 business days notice of their absence in an individual workshop may request to have a tasting kit created for no additional charge. Reschedules for the next available date are also accepted for individual workshops up to 8 business days prior to the originally scheduled date. Reschedules are not available for special events.

If you are unable to attend a program, workshop or event and are not eligible for a reschedule or refund, and want to attend the session live, consider offering your seat to a friend or colleague. They will love you!

Notice for all cancellations, reschedules, format changes and transfers must be given by emailing [email protected]

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San Francisco Wine School

San Francisco Wine School is the largest wine school in the U.S., offering a comprehensive approach to wine study. With a state-of-the-art facility and industry-leading instructors, they provide educational programs and workshops for serious students and wine enthusiasts to advance their careers or pursue their passions.

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