Top Exam Scorers

Mike Bradley, IWS

Pierre Freyermuth IWS
  • It is impossible to know every producer, but the IWS program provides a foundation to appreciate the characteristics of any Italian wine and its provenance.
  • Wine Enthusiast
Congratulations to Mike Bradley, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors with Wasatch Academy of Wine! About Mike : I’m a wine enthusiast – and I have also had long running passion for European history and Ancient Roman/Greek civilizations. I find so much meaning in Old...

Chelsea Li Mei-Yip, FWS

Pierre Freyermuth FWS
  • I am glad that I have done the FWS program together with my WSET diploma education, as it helps me feel more confident with my knowledge towards French wines.
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Chelsea Li Mei-Yip, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Chelsea: I am a wine enthusiast who works in the Finance industry. My passion towards wine started a few years ago when I spent 4 years studying business school in the south of France. I...

Murilo Azzi, FWS

Pierre Freyermuth FWS
  • The FWS has completely changed my viewpoint on studying wine - it is a deep and really amazing immersion in the French culture, considering the regional differences.
  • Commercial director at Adega Quinta do Lago
  • WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Murilo Azzi, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Murilo: I am a cardiologist totally passionate for wine. So passionate that, despite the considerable amount of time I dedicate to Medicine, I found energy and enthusiasm to start out a small...

Carlos Kam Shan Wong, FWS

Pierre Freyermuth FWS
  • The guidebook of FWS is fascinating: the information and graphics are so precise, and the stories about each wine region of France are just proper and enjoyable.
  • Manager and sommelier at Nocturne Wine & Whiskey Bar
  • WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Carlos Kam Shan Wong, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Carlos: I am the manager and sommelier at Nocturne, a wine and whisky bar in Hong Kong. My first contact with the wine trade took place in 2009, when I was working as a food runner for...

Celeste Bailey, FWS

Pierre Freyermuth FWS
  • There is simply a lot more to learn about France and its wines in the FWS that is not available in other programs.
  • Wine Educator
Congratulations to Celeste Bailey, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Celeste: I am both an enthusiast and professional. I’ve been an enthusiast since I was old enough to legally enjoy wine and have always wanted to become more wine-knowledgeable, but did not...

Miu Yee Mirriam Wong Wong, IWS

Pierre Freyermuth IWS
  • I love the depth it took me to. I love all the fine details within. I love all the interesting historical facts and explanations. I love all the colourful maps! I could feel the enthusiasm of the program providers. They really wanted to lead us into the fantastic world of Italian Wine!
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • WSET Diploma, WSET Level 3 Award in Saké, International Kikisake-shi
Congratulations to Miu Yee Mirriam Wong Wong, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors with AWSEC! About Mirriam: I am a wine enthusiast. (I am not in the wine field, I am a dentist.) I like totaste all kinds of alcoholic beverages, including wine, spirit, Japanese saké...

Frédéric Cayuela, FWS

Pierre Freyermuth FWS
  • As a Frenchman, I found French Wines Scholar (FWS) is a complete study and review of the French wine regions, which I sometimes overlooked during my previous studies.
  • Freelance wine consultant - Private and corporate wine educator
  • WSET Level 3, Certified Specialist of Wine CSW
Congratulations to Frédéric Cayuela, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Frédéric: I'm both a wine enthusiast and professional in the industry. Born in south of France, my passion for wines started very young, at 15 years old, when I did my first grape harvest...

Philip Green, FWS

Pierre Freyermuth FWS
  • The FWS has helped me to find the area of wine I wish to focus on – France and from there develop an ever deeper understanding of its regions.
  • Owner at Phil My Glass
  • WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Philip Green, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Philip: I have been in working with wine in some shape or form for over a decade, having taken an interest when I was working in The Royal Opera House. From there I was given a fantastic...

Renga Vasu, FWS

Nathalie Sibille FWS
  • Equal emphasis was given to all the wine regions trying to help the student understand the subject rather than just pass a test.
  • Retired Medical Doctor/Neurologist
Congratulations to Renga Vasu, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Renga: I have practiced and taught medicine in the field of neurology for over 30 years. I retired a few years ago when I moved to Washington DC metro area. I have pursued my interest in wine...

Shirley L.Paddock, IWS

Nathalie Sibille IWS
  • My journey through the IWS program will provide a wonderful foundation and perspective on Old World wines in general and will allow me to compare and contrast the different regions.
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • Certified Specialist of Wine CSW, WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Shirley L. Paddock, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Shirley: I suppose I would consider myself a wine enthusiast although I believe that there are varying levels of enthusiasm for wine. I didn’t set out to be an “enthusiast” I just liked...

Jen McAlpine, FWS

Nathalie Sibille FWS
  • The Wine Scholar Guild programs have no doubt been beneficial in preparing me for the WSET Diploma and whatever future wine studies I decide to take on.
  • Sommelier
  • Italian Wine Scholar
Congratulations to Jen McAlpine, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Jen: My love for wine has taken me to some amazing places! Aside from working as a sommelier over the years, I also took a year off to travel and explore some major wine regions, and even did...

Allison Hupp, FWS

Nathalie Sibille FWS
  • The French Wine Scholar forced me to dig deeper into each region of France than I had ever been required to do previously.
  • Northern California Wine Educator for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
  • WSET Diploma, Certified Sommelier (CMS), Certified Specialist of Wine CSW, Certified Specialist of Spirits, WSET in Sake
Congratulations to Allison Hupp, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Allison: As a member of the wine trade, I constantly strive to learn. Wine is art, science, history, sensation and joy. It is always scintillating and never static. I have the pleasure of...

Zhiyong Zhou, FWS

Nathalie Sibille FWS
  • I would be interested in becoming a certified FWS wine educator to further pursue my wine passion.
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Zhiyong Zhou, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors with the Sydney Wine Academy!About Zhiyong: I am a wine enthusiast. I believe that the wine is an integral part of my life. I have a strong interest in understanding, trying, and exploring different...

Jade Yu, FWS

Nathalie Sibille FWS
  • Now my knowledges on French wine regions and appellations are organized in a systematic way that are easy for me to recall.
  • Sommelier Student at Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS)
  • WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Jade Xiaohan Yu, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors with IWEG in Toronto!About Jade: I was working in the media industry before I got into the wine world. Leading a busy life, a glass of wine to me is like a pacifier to a baby. I started taking...

Bruce Smoller, IWS

Nathalie Sibille IWS
  • This was a great introduction to the voluminous topic of Italian wines.
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • WSET Level 3, Bourgogne ML, Rhone Valley ML, FWS
Congratulations to Bruce Smoller, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Bruce:I am simply a wine enthusiast. I have become quite interested in learning everything I can possible learn about the wines of the world. It is a great hobby and allows me to 1) throw...

Jake Skakun, Bourgogne ML

Nathalie Sibille Bourgogne
  • This program has given me the confidence to sell, buy, and discuss wines from a region that most seasoned wine professionals find intimidating
  • Grey Gardens 
General Manager, Wine Director
  • WSET Diploma, International Sommelier Guild Diploma
Congratulations to Jake Skakun for passing the Bourgogne Master Level exam with highest honors! About Jake: I've been working in wine-focused restaurants for the last 15 years and I currently buy wine for a few spots in Toronto including Grey Gardens where I work as the General Manager. I'd love...

Gordana Josovic, IWS

Nathalie Sibille IWS
  • Italian Wine Scholar program helps me tremendously while covering Italy since it is much more comprehensive than some of the materials I have been using.
  • Instructor at San Francisco Wine School
  • Certified Beverage Specialist CBS, Advanced Sommelier (CMS), FWS
Congratulations to Gordana Josovic, IWS, for passing the Italian Wine Scholar exam with highest honors!About Gordana:I am a wine buyer and an instructor at San Francisco Wine School. I was bitten by a wine bug one summer in the late ‘80s during a vacation at the Dalmatian coast while sampling...

Kathy Phillips, FWS

Nathalie Sibille FWS
  • I use what I’ve learned in the FWS on a daily basis, and I would highly recommend the FWS to those of whom want a comprehensive knowledge of the most important region in the world.
  • Server at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
  • Introductory Sommelier Certificate (CMS)
Congratulations to Kathy Phillips, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors!About Kathy:I’m a lifelong hospitality professional. I got my start 30 years ago working for a Michelin Star chef who served classic French cuisine. Time and space doesn’t permit a full recounting...

José Luiz Ferrazzo Neto, FWS

Nathalie Sibille FWS
  • FWS, and the whole Wine Scholar Guild, will keep me updated…..and being updated is just the best thing you can do in the wine world if you want to succeed!!
  • Commercial Manager at Portus Importer - Wine Educator with Oenocultura
  • WSET Diploma
Congratulations to José Luiz Ferrazzo Neto, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About José:At the beginning I was just a wine drinker, as my whole family, to honor our Italian descendance. In 2005 I went to Spain to walk the “Camino de Santiago” or “Way to St....

Fabio Lobosco, FWS

Nathalie Sibille FWS
  • FWS added a lot to my previous wine studies, first because it was more focused and detailed in the France wine scenario. Second, it was a different approach, that expanded my comprehension.
  • Teacher/Lawyer at Enocultura/ SPLaw – Law Firm
  • WSET Diploma, WSET Level 1 for spirit, WSET Level 1 for sake
Congratulations to Fabio Lobosco, FWS, for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Fabio:I spend half of my time as a criminal lawyer and college teacher at Law School, and half of my time as a teacher and wine consultant. When I was studying for my Master Degree in...