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    Sydney Wine Academy

    Several wine glasses elegantly arranged on a table

    At the Sydney Wine Academy (SWA), our goal is to make wine education accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a professional, we have courses to suit your needs.

    Learn at the SWA and explore the world of wine with guidance from our industry experts.

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    Explore our courses

    A woman holds a glass to smell red wine, as part of tasting, called "nosing" the wine. She wears a pale yellow top, has her hair tied back to reveal gold earrings and wears dark rimmed glasses.

    Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET)

    Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) programs offer qualifications that are recognised in over 70 countries with course ranging from entry-level to advanced levels.

    Four varieties of wine in glasses traditionally used for each. From front to back there’s a red wine, a fortified wine - butterscotch in colour, a white wine gold in colour, and a dessert wine that has a light orange colour.

    Online and short courses

    If you have a general interest in wine, The Sydney Wine Academy offers a range of online courses and short courses. These are non-accredited, fun and are designed for wine enthusiasts and hobbyists.

    Close up sommelier image showing red wine being poured into a decanter.

    Sommelier

    Our sommelier courses will teach you about grape growing, wine production and storage, the finer details of wine service as well as pairing food and wine. It’s suitable for people in the hospitality industry who are looking for a higher level of skill.

    Summer sunset scene of a vineyard extending to a partly cleared hillside of trees. Running parallel to the vineyard, there is a yellow flowering crop.

    Australian wines

    If you work in the retail or hospitality industry, these courses are perfect for learning how to identify the benchmark qualities, and different flavours and aromas of Australian wine.

    A French scene of beautifully tended lush vineyard rows under blue skies with high, wispy cloud. A villa or abbey, with pines nearby, is perched a short distance at the top of the hill.

    French wines

    Offering both short courses and globally recognised qualifications, The Academy is an approved centre for The French Wine Scholar Program. This course is designed for wine professionals and keen wine hobbyists.

    Idyllic northern Italian vineyard and countryside view over hills and valleys. The colourful patchwork of farms, hamlets and clusters of trees in autumnal colours is all the more beautiful with the day’s golden sunset light.

    Italian wines

    The Academy offers introductory consumer courses and globally recognised qualifications and The Italian Wine Scholar TM program. This course develops and advanced comprehensive knowledge of Italian wine.

    A Spanish vineyard in golden colours lies on the steep foothills of a forested mountain. There are hills and a mountain range in the distance and a leafy tree branch in the foreground, top right.

    Spanish wines

    The Academy is approved to deliver the Spanish Wine Scholar Program for people with advanced wine knowledge or for those who are serious hobbyists. The program includes extensive wine tasting covering all regions in Spain.

    A wine bottle against a background of unpainted wooden boards, tied with a red ribbon and with a gift card and the stencil of a lipstick kiss.

    Gift vouchers

    A Sydney Wine Academy gift voucher is the perfect present for family, friends or colleagues for any occasion. The voucher is valid for 36 months and can be redeemed on the website.

    Four male students taste wine at a table with a selection of white wines in glasses and stainless steel wine buckets, infront of them. The man closest to the camera ‘noses’ a glass intently while the others are concentrating and writing. The weather is cool, evident by the jumpers and long sleeves each wear.

    Our team

    Our team is made up of highly respected wine experts in Australia and globally. They are passionate about sharing their experience as wine makers, wine authors, wine judges, sommeliers and entrepreneurs.

    Meet our students

    • Kati Vainionpaa is in a bar space looking at the camera. She wears a red blazer over a cream top and holds a glass of red wine.
      Testimonial Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Levels 2, 3 and WSET Level 4 Diploma — Education Relationship Manager, Wine Australia.
      Kati Vainionpaa
    • Daniel Airoldi smiles to the camera with a selection of Airoldi fine wines displayed on a table before him.
      Testimonial Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 and WSET Level 4 Diploma—Founder and Managing Director, Airoldi Fine Wines.
      Daniel Airoldi

    Apply now

    Ready to get started? To enrol in a SWA course, visit the relevant course page or contact our friendly team. We’re here to guide you through the enrolment process.

    Before you apply, check the entry requirements on your chosen course page. If you have questions, call us on 02 7921 2399.

    Please note: You must be 18 or older to enrol and attend a SWA class.

    Disability support

    At TAFE NSW, we're committed to an inclusive learning environment. We offer specialist support to students living with disability.

    To learn more, visit the TAFE NSW Disability and Access services page or speak with our team.

    Explore coursesEmail now

    Begin your wine education

    Whether a hobbyist, wine enthusiast or working in the industry, The Sydney Wine Academy has a course for everyone. Our flagship centre in Ryde offers courses from beginner level through to industry specialised qualifications.

    For more information call us on (02) 7921 2399.

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    The Sydney Wine Academy logo.

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    About us

    The SWA provides world-class, specialised training and hobbyist courses. Located at TAFE NSW Ryde, it also runs programs in Sydney’s CBD and at select venues across Australia.

    Group of people at a wine tasting admiring a glass of red wine.

    Meet our team

    Our experienced instructors are wine industry professionals with years of teaching, writing and winemaking experience. We don't just provide instruction, we offer mentorship from the best in the industry.

    Frequently asked questions

    Have questions about our courses, exams or what to expect? Explore our FAQs for everything you need to know about training at the SWA.