San Francisco Wine School
Classes in San Francisco
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.
47 classes with availability
Wines of Southern France
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Discover the bold, diverse wines of Southern France, where warm climates shape distinctive styles. From Bordeaux to Beaujolais, Rhône to Provence, explore regions that produce some of the world's most celebrated, inimitable wines. Learn how climate, terroir, and tradition influence these exceptional selections. Taste and uncover what truly sets them apart.
Wines of Bordeaux
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Dive into the rich history, evolving styles, and distinctive terroirs of one of France's most celebrated wine regions. From dry whites to bold reds and luscious dessert wines, see how soil, grape, and tradition shape the Bordeaux blend. Build a deeper grasp of French wine labeling and EU regulations along the way.
Blind Tasting Bubbles, Botrytis & Fortified Wines
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Sharpen your palate with master sommelier David Glancy as you work through the complexities of bubbles, botrytis, and fortified wines. Investigate the nuances of each, breaking down influences from grape variety to terroir. Build your expertise through this advanced blind tasting journey.
Dec 9th
10:30am–1pm PT
Dec 9th
6–8:30pm PT
Intro to Blind Wine Tasting
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Build the craft of blind wine tasting. Learn to evaluate wine structure and grow your tasting vocabulary. Grow your confidence in identifying your preferences and prepare for wine exams.
Dec 12th
3–5pm PT
Feb 4th
6–8pm PT
Pinot Gris & Pinot Grigios of the World (Blind Tasting)
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Dive into the wide range of Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio expressions as you follow its global path from Alsace to Alto Adige and beyond. See how soil, climate, and elevation influence its style, from crisp and dry to rich and sweet. A guided blind tasting brings out the grape's regional diversity.
Rhone Valley
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Explore the dual identities of the Rhône, where the north's steep slopes and structured wines stand apart from the expansive, sun-drenched vineyards of the south. See how soil, climate, and geography shape two distinct wine cultures along a single river. Trace the rich history and bold expressions that define this iconic French region.
Blind Wine Tasting Timing & Technique Drills
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Sharpen your blind tasting skills through focused drills built to lift your speed, accuracy, and technique. With a master sommelier guiding the way, you'll refine your ability to evaluate wines quickly and effectively while building strong test-taking strategies for advanced assessments. Strengthen your tasting precision and efficiency through expert guidance and hands-on practice.
Dec 16th
10:30am–1pm PT
Dec 16th
6–8:30pm PT
Wines of Italy
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Make sense of Italy's complex wine world as you tour its varied regions, native grapes, and distinctive terroirs. From the steep Alpine vineyards of Piedmont to Etna's volcanic slopes, see how climate and tradition leave their mark on each bottle. Sharpen your understanding of key regions like Tuscany and Veneto, and gain the confidence to explore this rich wine landscape.
Wines of Spain, Portugal & Greece
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Take a journey through the deep traditions and creative innovations of Mediterranean winemaking across Spain, Portugal, and Greece. From bright sparkling Cavas and age-worthy Riojas to the bold wines of Douro and the sun-warmed Greek islands, see how climate, history, and culture come together to shape an extraordinary spectrum of styles and grape varieties.
Provence, Languedoc & Roussillon
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Travel to the sun-soaked south of France to explore the rich heritage and vibrant wines of Provence, Languedoc, and Roussillon. From the birthplace of French wine to the origins of sparkling wine and fortified Vins Doux Naturels, each region offers its own distinct character. Discover the unique terroir and traditions that define this varied corner of the wine world.
Wines of Germany & Eastern Europe
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Discover the rich wine traditions of Germany and Eastern Europe, where dynamic regions and centuries-old empires have shaped a remarkable range of styles. From Germany's crisp Rieslings and refined Spätburgunders to Austria's Grüner Veltliner and Hungary's iconic Tokaji, take a closer look at complex labels, varied grapes, and the lively character of these often-overlooked regions.
Southwest France & Corsica
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Discover the hidden gems of Southwest France and Corsica, where ancient vineyards and distinctive grapes reveal a rich yet overlooked wine heritage. Examine why these regions, steeped in history, remain under the radar despite their depth and diversity. From pre-Bordeaux traditions to Mediterranean influences, uncover a side of France few have tasted.
Warm Climate Wines of the World
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
See how warm climates shape the bold, ripe wines coming out of regions like Southern France, Spain, South America, and Australia. Learn how higher temperatures influence grape varieties such as Grenache, Syrah, Malbec, and Cabernet. Taste 6 to 8 wines side by side to compare Old World and New World styles from the sunniest growing regions.
Intro to Food Pairing
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Learn the fundamentals of food and wine pairing by exploring how sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and salt interact with different wine styles. Through guided tasting and discussion, build confidence and refine your palate with practical pairing principles.
Dec 19th
3–5pm PT
Feb 11th
6–8pm PT
Wines of North America
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Investigate the remarkable diversity of North American wines, from celebrated Napa Cabernet to Canada's renowned Icewine. This course digs into the rich history, distinctive climates, and innovative trailblazers shaping wines across California, Oregon, Washington, and beyond. Pick up insight into regional labeling laws, American Viticultural Areas, and the wine styles that define North America.
Wines of the Southern Hemisphere
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Travel through the lively wine regions of the Southern Hemisphere, where New World producers are reshaping global wine culture. Get to know the distinctive climates, varied grapes, and bold styles of Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. From Marlborough's Sauvignon Blanc to Stellenbosch's Pinotage, pick up perspective on the wines challenging Old World habits and winning over palates around the world.
Low/Non-Alcoholic Wines & Wine Alternatives of the World (Blind Tasting)
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Step into the fast-growing world of low and non-alcoholic wines through a guided blind tasting of global selections. Learn how production methods shape aroma, texture, and balance, and evaluate each pour using a professional tasting framework. Ideal for the curious enthusiast or industry professional seeking insight into modern wine culture and food pairing.
Wines of Piemonte aka Piedmont
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Take a closer look at the celebrated bottles of Piemonte, home turf for Nebbiolo alongside standout varietals such as Arneis, Barbera, and Dolcetto. Dig into iconic appellations like Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti, and Gavi as you uncover the region's many styles and the deep-rooted cultural traditions behind them. A recap of Southern Italian areas brings broader context to round things out.
Wines of Valle d'Aosta & Liguria
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Travel from alpine peaks to Mediterranean cliffs as you look closely at two of Northern Italy's most distinctive wine regions. Discover how dramatic landscapes shape rare grapes and expressive styles found nowhere else. Learn insight into local traditions, food pairings, and the cultural tapestry behind each area. Build a deeper appreciation for these strikingly different yet equally captivating terroirs.
Wines of Lombardia & Emilia-Romagna
San Francisco Wine School See all classes by this school @ 415 Grand Ave, San Francisco, CA
Take a closer look at bottles of Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna, spanning the polish of Franciacorta and Valtellina and the lively charm of Lambrusco. Gain an understanding of the key appellations, grape varieties, and regional styles while taking in the food and cultural heritage behind these Northern Italian wines.
Reviews of San Francisco Wine School
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Wine List Development
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Intro to French Wines
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Wine 101
Very informative -
Rosé Wines of the World (Blind Tasting)
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Wines of North America
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Champagne and other Sparkling Wines of the World (Blind Tasting)
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Wines of Spain, Portugal & Greece
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Intro to California Wines
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Warm Climate Wines of the World
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Blind Wine Tasting: Aromas
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Wines of Northern France
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Intro to Italian Wines
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Wine 101
We had a super fun time during this course! Great instructor and lots of fun! -
Wine 101
Class itself was really good and enjoyable. Instructor was superb and fun. Pre-class instructions were a bit too much and not very clear. (Too many emails, too much info but also a bit unclear about what wines were required and how to get them in hand for those viewing out of SF area). -
2-Day Somm Intensive: Theory, Tasting & Service
Great overview of everything there is to know about wine -
Wine 101
The class was more interesting than I had thought it would be. It was informative, the drinking was fun & I learned a more sophisticated way of describing the quality of wine. A lot of information was given during that 2-hour span & I got more intrigued with wine than ever before. It was a very interesting & highly recommended lesson for all wine drinkers. -
California Wine Appellation Specialist Intensive
I just completed the three-day intensive course on California and was very pleased. We tasted over 68 wines and received many hours of in-depth information on a wide variety of topics related to California wine. The information was presented very clearly and the study book was consistent and easy to follow. David's inside knowledge of the wine industry, as well as his significant experience as a wine professional, enhanced the blind tastings and the lecture alike. His skills as a group educator are also excellent, so the sessions were all very engaging. The guest lecturers also had outstanding credentials, so we were able to get multiple viewpoints on the state of the industry. I took the course in DC, so the selection of wines from certain regions was limited. However, this was not at all detrimental to my experience. The student levels ranged from enthusiast to professional with both groups receiving the right level of attention throughout the course. Lastly, Kristen and Alex handled the administrative and organizational components professionally. I have no complaints and would recommend the SF Wine School, and this course, without reservation. -
California Wine Appellation Specialist Intensive
The CWAS course was fantastic! There was so much to learn and so many wines to experience. The instructors were outstanding, animated informative and fun. The course offered a wealth of information and was a truly remarkable validation of California's varied terroir. No question this was one of the best classes I have taken. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain a greater appreciation of California wine. -
California Wine Appellation Specialist Intensive
CWAS is a complete program covering all California Appellations in a detailed and structured form. This intensive class is excellent for every wine passionate, from the industry or not, that would like to excel in this sector. All the teachers are professionals and succeed on transmitting their passion to every student. The online and in class material provided is very useful. Furthermore, the class animated by the special guests! I highly recommend San Francisco Wine School for all the wine lovers!