Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person components of this program have either been paused, rescheduled, or moved into a virtual format until further notice.
Please email wine.ces@sdsu.edu or call (619) 594-1188 to learn how these changes affect your program. SDSU will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance of our local and federal health agencies.
Is a wine tasting class the same as a wine education course? At SDSU, our wine classes combine wine tasting and wine education. The wine certification program is a combination of lecture, reading, and tasting – a holistic approach to wine. If you're considering taking sommelier classes, our Professional Certificate in the Business of Wine program prepares you for the Sommelier certification exam and helps you train for success in wine-related occupations. Learn about the wine business in a series of informative and engaging wine education classes.
Estimated Cost
Min. Completion Time
Course FormatStudent Discounts
If you’ve already completed your Professional Certificate in the Business of Wine, you’re eligible to enroll in additional courses at a 10% discount. Please email registration at ces.registrar@sdsu.edu or call to apply a program alumni discount for 10% off the registration fee.
If you're an SDSU Alumni lifetime member, you're eligible for a 20% discount on registration for this program. Click here to learn more.
Discounts are not retroactive and cannot be combined. Only one discount can be applied.
The Professional Certificate in the Business of Wine is designed to prepare participants for success in wine-related occupations. Through engaging discussion and directed tastings, The Business of Wine classes let you experience the world of wine twofold: wine education and wine business education. Building your wine knowledge gives you a competitive edge in your career. Must be 21 years of age to take these courses.
In order to complete the SDSU Global Campus Business of Wine certificate, students will need to successfully complete all 4 of the core courses, 3 intensives, and 2 electives within two years.
Note to Students
Some of our courses contain a sensory component, which requires that you taste different types of wines. All tasting kits are included with the cost of registration for California residents.
For students that reside within San Diego, SDSU Global Campus will provide tasting kits at Ranch 45 in Solana Beach. For students who reside elsewhere in California, SDSU Global Campus will ship your tasting kit via mail. At this time, we can only ship wine within the State of California.
If you'd like to enroll in sensory courses and reside outside the state of California, please contact us for more information prior to enrollment.
| Core Courses (complete all 4) | Hours | Cost | Day | 21FA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI 0001 Exploring Wine (recommended as first course in series) | 24 | $499 | M | 9/27-11/15 |
| WI 0007 Wine Making Behind the Scenes | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0019 Business Opportunities in the Wine Industry | 15 | $349 | W | 6/30-7/28 |
| WI 0023 Dynamic Wine and Food Pairing | 6 | $309 | W | 9/22, 9/29 |
| Elective Courses (complete 2) | Hours | Cost | Day | 21FA |
| WI 0021 Wine List Creation | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0022 The Character of Wine | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0030 Wine Flaws and Faults | 6 | $309 | ||
| WI 0032 Sensory Evaluation | 9 | $279 | W | 9/1-9/15 |
| WI 0034 Importing and Distribution | 15 | $339 | ||
| WI 0040 Vineyard Management | 15 | $339 | ||
| WI 0041 Marketing Wine | 15 | $339 | Tu | 9/7-10-5 |
| CB 0012 Beer and Wine: Service and Selling | 9 | $279 | ||
| Intensive Courses (complete 3) | Hours | Cost | Day | 21FA |
| WI 0017 Intensive: California Wines | 12 | $339 | ||
| WI 0020 Intensive: French Wines | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0024 Intensive: Italian Wines | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0026 Intensive: Spanish Wines | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0028 Intensive: Dessert Wines | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0029 Intensive: South American Wines | 9 | $279 | W | 10/6-10/20 |
| WI 0031 Intensive: Australian Wines | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0035 Intensive: Sparkling Wines | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0033 Intensive: Austrian/German Wines | 9 | $279 | ||
| WI 0038 Intensive: Organic and Biodynamic Wines | 9 | $279 | Tu | 11/2-11/16 |
| WI 0042 Intensive: Pacific NorthwestWines | 9 | $279 | Th | 10/7-10/28, No Class 10/21 |
*Dates and prices subject to change.
Labor Analysis
Wine Industry — Nationwide
Job Postings
Last 12 months
2,433
Projected Growth
Over 10 years
+6%
Salary Range
Average
$64,000-$87,000
Enrolling in the Program
Enroll in the program at any time, even before registering for a course. It’s free, and offers many benefits:
- Secure your curriculum (should the requirements change in the future).
- See upcoming courses when you log into your student account.
- Track your progress.
Enrolling in a program doesn’t mean you’re registered for courses. You still must register and pay for each course you wish to take.
These comprehensive wine education classes are geared for professionals and entrepreneurs in the wine, food, and hospitality fields who want to quickly expand their knowledge of wine topics. The wine certification is directed to: restaurant owners and staff, winery employees, event planners, distribution and retail sales employees, wine bar owners and staff, anyone interested in moving into wine or hospitality careers, and wine enthusiasts who desire a professional level education. The courses in the wine certification program will also prepare you for the Introductory Sommelier certificate exam. Graduates of the wine certification program include owners of local wine bars and bottle shops, wine import/export business owners, buyers for upscale grocery stores, and vintners at local wine vineyards.
Student Stories
Melani Harding
Owner, Bon Niche Cellars
"While stationed in Oceanside, I began searching online for wine courses near me. The program at SDSU appealed to me because of the topics and scheduling. It was ideal for working people like me, so I could attend when it was convenient for me. Plus, I could take the classes that were most applicable to me, which helped build my business plan once I started down that path."
Veronica Rodriguez
Master's Student, Bordeaux
"Exploring Wine with Lisa Redwine was a highlight for me. In just eight weeks, my knowledge increased tenfold and gave me a great base to learn more in-depth about different regions."
View our Wine Industry Training Archive for more stories.
Must be at least 21 years of age to register for this program. No more than one absence will be allowed in each course.
For additional information please email wine.ces@sdsu.edu or call (619) 594-1188.
The program is fun, the instructors are passionate … and it’s wonderful to see new courses being added as the program continues to grow and evolve. I also believe the program is a great networking vehicle for wine enthusiasts and industry professionals.
The program far exceeded my expectations. It would have been impossible to get these results out of a book on my own. I wouldn’t have known where to start. Each class takes you beyond the surface and really helps develop an understanding of cultures, geography, and history of the region of study. The instructors bring so much passion and personal experience into their teachings that I walk out of class feeling like I was just in France.
The program is great for building a foundation of knowledge if you’re looking for a career change. Or if you’re looking at this more as a hobby, it’s educational and fun!
My company specializes in wine education programs on cruise ships, and SDSU’s program has given me an outstanding background of knowledge about the wine industry, wine making, and wine regions of the world. The courses are educational, entertaining and interactive; and the professors are, without exception, top leaders in the Southern California wine industry.
The biggest strength of the Business of Wine certificate program was the breadth of the courses. If someone like me who’s already an industry professional has gaps to fill, there’s a course for them. The program is absolutely worth it and you can get out of it as much as you put into it.