SWS

Kathleen Thomas, SWS

  • The content is in-depth and thoughtful with just the right amount of “nerdiness” but not too chaotic.
  • Beverage Education, WineGoddessLV
  • WSET Level 2, Advanced Sommelier
Congratulations to Kathleen Thomas, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Kathleen: I would consider myself both enthusiast and professional as they have shaken each other’s hand hand in hand over the years. I have always had an affinity towards hospitality and...

Sean Norton, SWS

  • I am absolutely in love with Spain, its wine, its food, and its people. The SWS program brought all that together for me.
  • National Sales Director, Alexander Jules Spanish Wine Imports
  • WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Sean Norton, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar program with highest honors! About Sean: I moved to California 20 years ago and immediately became a wine enthusiast. I was making my living in enterprise software sales but found myself spending the bulk of my time outside...

Jonelle Noelani Yacapin, SWS

  • The SWS program has definitely helped me to connect the dots in my travels as I see, taste and eat things first hand.
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • Certified Sommelier, FWS, IWS
Congratulations to Jonelle Noelani Yacapin, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Jonelle: It began with a dinner party in college. Nothing fancy. Just affordable wine from the grocery store. Soon friends in the restaurant industry introduced me to a world of...

Andrew Belcher, SWS

  • I found the Spanish wine course very interesting and... was introduced to a number of new areas and wine styles.
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • WSET Diploma, French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Scholar, WSG Master Levels: Rhone, Bordeaux, Champagne
Congratulations to Andrew Belcher, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Andrew: I am a wine enthusiast. I have been attending the various courses at West London Wine School since just after it started up over 10 years ago; I also attend courses at some of the...

Jeni Wilson, SWS

  • I feel SWS brings a valid certification for knowledge about Spanish wine which has been missing in the industry.
  • Director, Vintage Class
  • WSET Diploma, French Wine Scholar
Congratulations to Jeni Wilson, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Jeni: I guess I´m a bit of everything, a winelover, an educator and a wine professional. I came to La Ribera de Duero as a winelover and an English teacher and combined the two facets to make...

Richard Nusser, SWS

  • The program did a wonderful job of filling in the gaps of my knowledge in the history and geography of Spain.
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • Wine Scholar Programs: French, Italian Master Level Programs: Bourgogne, Bordeaux, Alsace, Rhone
Congratulations to Richard Nusser, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Richard: I am a wine enthusiast who first began to enjoy and appreciate wine when I moved from Ohio to the San Francisco area about 30 years ago. Frequent visits to nearby Napa Valley and...

Ken Coleman, SWS

  • Without the Spanish Wine Scholar course I could never have penetrated the depth, history and diversity of the wines of Spain.
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Ken Coleman, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Ken: Although not in the wine profession, I've been an enthusiast since my college years when my father became interested in wine. We would go on excusions to wine shops in Chicago together...

Peter Arijs, SWS

  • The blended learning approach with interactive and visually attractive online study materials makes the information really stick.
  • Wine Educator
  • WSET Diploma
Congratulations to Peter Arijs, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Peter: Some people call me a wine geek. As an engineer I want to understand how things are made, and the same goes for wine. Not only do I love to learn about wine, but also to share this...

Kathleen Mahoney, SWS

  • The SWS program provided the depth I was looking for in a specific wine region.
  • Wine Enthusiast
Congratulations to Kathleen Mahoney, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Kathleen: I am inspired by the combination of hard labor with attention to detail, art, and science that goes into a bottle of wine. My passion was born in my travels to wine-growing...

Tammy Hiler, SWS

  • I so enjoyed the SWS program. The manual and online course were phenomenal! I learned so much and every step continued to fuel my passion for learning.
  • Wine Enthusiast
  • WSET Level 2, WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Tammy Hiller, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Tammy: I am a wine enthusiast. I live near Napa Valley and love wine, especially red wine. Years ago the chemist in me was curious as to why I “liked this cab and not as much the other one”....

Nicolas Quillé, SWS

  • The study program is excellent and I have learned plenty. It will prove very valuable in teaching the material to students.
  • Chief Winemaker and Operation’s Officer, Crimson Wine Group
Congratulations to Nicolas Quillé, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Nicolas: Nicolas Quillé MW was born in Lyon, France, into a family with three generations working in the wine business. Nicolas holds a master's in enology from the University of Dijon in...

Liz Palmer, SWS

  • The program offers excellent resources, both in print and online. The book will serve as a terrific resource for years to come.
  • Executive Director, Texas Wine School
  • WSET Diploma, Certified Specialist of Wine, French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Scholar
Congratulations to Liz Palmer, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Liz: Liz is an avid learner and has amassed four graduate level degrees (including both a JD and LLM) as well as a number of certifications (including a CPA).Liz recently combined her love of...

Jörg Philipp, SWS

  • Finally, I found an education system in the Spanish Wine Scholar, combining all aspects of Spanish wine and bringing them into a clear structure.....so complete, covering all regions and providing detailed maps.
  • Degustar / Vinoria Wine Education
  • WSET Level 2
Congratulations to Jörg Philipp, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Jörg: I am a wine professional. Starting my wine career many years ago with Spanish wine, I was delighted to finally find a program dedicated to it. Working in wine shops, for importers and...

Daniel Schlachet, SWS

  • The SWS has made me a better teacher allowing me to give my students a more thorough understanding of the world of wine.
  • General manager at Bitto Bistro wine bar and instructor for Wine Education Institute, Colorado
  • WSET Levels 1, 2 & 3, Italian Wine Scholar with Highest Honors
Congratulations to Daniel Schlachet, SWS for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Daniel: My background is in culinary with over ten years working in kitchens. I discovered wine after working for Bitto bistro as their kitchen manager and started taking WSET courses. I...

Victoria Aldwinckle, SWS

  • The SWS program gives you so much insight into the history, culture, vineyards and wines. This really complements the broader teaching found on the WSET courses.
  • Partner and Tutor, Kent Wine School
  • WSET Diploma
Congratulations to Victoria Aldwinckle, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Victoria: I stumbled into a career in wine after taking the WSET Level 2 course as a wine enthusiast and I simply fell in love with vineyards, vines and all things wine related! After...

Matthew Webb, SWS

  • The SWS Program has made me even more passionate about Spanish wine...I even named my dog Rioja!
  • Product Consultant (LCBO), Wine Educator (Vendange Institute)
  • WSET Level 3, WSET Diploma, Alsace Master Level, Italian Wine Scholar, French Wine Scholar
Congratulations to Matthew Webb, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Matthew: I am both a wine enthusiast and a wine professional. I have always enjoyed wine, and while working at Fratelli Restaurant in Ottawa in 2003, I knew I wanted to learn more. Under the...

Tanya Morning Star, SWS

  • Studying the Spanish Wine Scholar was full of surprises, and deeply inspiring!
  • Owner, Cellar Muse
  • WSET Diploma, Certified Wine Educator, French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Scholar, Bourgogne Master Level, Provence Master Level
Congratulations to Tanya Morning Star, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Tanya: I have been working in wine in one way or another since I was 18 years old. After High School, I studied language and Art History in France, then went on to receive a Bachelor of...

Tomi Naarvala, SWS

  • ...all the material is very up to date. This information is virtually impossible to obtain elsewhere.
  • Owner, Wineserver
  • Certified Sommelier; WSET Diploma
Congratulations to Tomi Naarvala, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Tomi: I started as a wine enthusiast but today I can proudly call myself professional.In my early twenties I lived in Barcelona for a year. I knew almost nothing about wines before that. In...

Kate Hall, SWS

  • It has made me more confident and adventurous when selecting Spanish wines.
  • WSET Level 3, French Wine Scholar with Highest Honors
Congratulations to Kate Hall, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Kate: I’m a wine enthusiast with a passion for learning more about grapes and wine and how they fit into the land the come from.I’ve passed FWS and WSET 3. I’m currently studying for IWS. SWS...

Lisa Lehar, SWS

  • The program taught me about wine regions and grapes, but it also gave me an insight into the history, geology, culture and food of Spain.
  • Owner and Educator, Vine Lab Wine & Spirits Academy
  • CSW, WSET Level 3
Congratulations to Lisa Lehar, SWS, for passing the Spanish Wine Scholar exam with highest honors! About Lisa: Spain was a blind spot. When the opportunity to learn more about Spain was offered, I jumped. The Spanish Wine Scholar program taught me about wine regions and grapes, but it also gave me...