Program 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.
"Oregon, Washington, Idaho & BC are relative newcomers to the international wine stage with the majority of expansion and improvement coming in the last 30 years. The last 15 years has been an absolute explosion of new AVAs and GIs and world-class wines. Every day there is more to know! Fred Swan has done an amazing job gathering these details as we launch this credential to give these regions the attention they deserve." - David Glancy, MS, CWE
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.
2022 Session Dates & Times
Session 1
Tuesdays 6-9pm
Apr 5 to May 3
Session 2
Thursdays 6-9pm
Sep 8 to Oct 6
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
Tuition
$595pp*
*Installment plans available. Contact help@sfwineschool.com for more information.
A limited number of complimentary seats are available for media. Apply here.
Formats Available
Hybrid - Room/Zoom - NEW!
We've recently invested in some serious AV technology upgrades to create an integrated Hybrid Room/Zoom experience for all students. Both "Roomers" and "Zoomers" are able to engage with us and each other during these live classes. Recordings are also available after the class. Whether you are excited to return to our beautiful venue in person or are enjoying the convenience of home learning, you can choose the experience that's right for YOU! Learn more...
In-Person Location
San Francisco Wine School*
415 Grand Ave #301
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Click for parking, public transit, dining & hotel information
*See our latest COVID Safety Information
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.