WSET Level 3 Course

This is WSET's advanced course for individuals seeking to delve deeply into the world of wines. This qualification provides a detailed understanding of grape growing and wine making and provides intensive work with the structured approach to tasting. Over several days, we taste dozens of wines and spend a lot of time coaching you for the exam. Upon completion of this course you will be able to assess wines accurately, and use your understanding to confidently explain wine style and quality in every major wine region. Upon successful completion of the exam you will receive a WSET certificate and beautiful green lapel pin, certifying you passed the WSET Advance course.

A New Edition Of A Classic Course

WSET revised the Level 3 course materials in 2022, so we embark with a course program that includes the latest research on viticulture, wine regions and more. It is an in-depth course in which the classroom instruction synchronizes with the latest edition of the textbook, a well written and very informative guide to the nuances of wine appreciation. And the workbook that accompany the text includes a large number of colorful maps of the world's wine regions in addition to many helpful tips for tasting.

The course goes into significant detail about grape growing, winemaking, and maturation, and then tours the world region by region. And of course, it includes extensive coaching in the foundation of the WSET approach, the acclaimed systematic tasting method that gives you a solid framework for evaluating and describing any wine you encounter.

Each day includes a period devoted to preparation for the certification exam at the end of the final day - your gateway to the coveted WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. Since the exam includes a tasting module (two wines examined through a blind tasting), you will want as much coaching on your tasting skills as possible.  We also feature extensive coaching on how to answer the “short answer” questions at the heart of the final exam. These four essay-like questions count for more than half the total points on the exam. We invite you to join us for a remarkable and rewarding educational and tasting experience, and really learn the WSET approach.

What WSET Level 3 Means

At the end of the Level 3 course, you will be fully prepared for the exam,, and be able to:

• Understand the effect of location and identify the key factors influencing viticultural practice

• Identify the key options available for vinification, maturation and bottling

• Understand the legal requirements for labeling

• Identify the key wine producing regions and districts of the principal wine producing countries of the world and, where appropriate, the important communes

• Identify the key factors and characteristics influencing the style, quality and price of the wines

• Understand the social, health and safety issues relating to the consumption of alcoholic beverages

• Identify common faults and the possible causes

• Offer recommendations on sale and service

• Understand the principles of food and wine matching

Your Guide to Understanding WSET Level 3

With the tastings and extensive coverage of great wine regions of the world, you will truly take your love of wine to the next level...and meet some terrific people in the process. Our WSET Level 3 classes generally feature a mix of both enthusiastic (and serious) amateurs and dedicated wine professionals, including wine brand ambassadors, journalists, sommeliers, importers and distributors.

I encourage you to register as early as possible for all our courses, but especially with Level 3. The textbook is lengthy and we encourage you to read it through at least four times prior to the exam on the final weekend of the course. To do this, you will want it as far in advance of the course as possible, so please do not hesitate to register at your earliest convenience to assure you have the best possible opportunity to get the most from the tastings and exercises in the classroom and then to excel on the exam.

Upcoming dates for the WSET Level Three course with Lyn Farmer:

WSET Level 3 in Miami

Course begins February 22, 2025

Alessandra Esteves, DipWSET (and Master of Wine candidate) and I are team teaching the Miami Level 3 class for Florida Wine Academy where Alessandra is Director of Education. I am proud to be on the faculty of this terrific school that has an outstanding track record of student success. The four-day course begins February 22, then continues the next three Saturdays, concluding on March 15. You then have a full month of study time before the exam in mid-Apr. The class is held at our wonderful new classroom located within 305 Wines in South Miami, Florida. For all the information about this upcoming course, see the Florida Wine Academy Website here!

WSET Level 3 in March in Chicago

Course begins March 29, 2025

Our Level 3 course in Chicago in is offered over three weekends, beginning  Saturday and Sunday, March 29 & 30, 2025. The course then continues on April 12 & 13, giving you a long period of study between the sessions, and then there is another break for study and review before the course concludes on May 4 & 5. The exam is the entire afternoon of May 5.

Each of the six days (except for day 1) begins at 9:00am with an optional half-hour review session; the class proper begins at 9:30am and continues to 5:30pm with a one hour break for lunch. The afternoon of day six is given over to the certification exam in three parts: a blind tasting exam (evaluating two wines, one red and one white), a multiple choice exam and four “short answer” questions.

Our Chicago courses are offered at the Hilton Garden Inn Central Loop, located at 245 South Franklin Street. It is in the heart of the financial district, situated across from the Willis Tower.

WSET Level 3 Hybrid in Miami

Course begins May 31, 2025

I’ll be on the team teaching a special hybrid version of WSET Level 3 starting May 31, 2025. This hybrid course features one in-person class, seven live webinars, and an in-person review day prior to the exam.

The course is based around 32.5 hours’ of of class time, including the examination, and 51.5 hours’ private study time.

This is a great opportunity for those who find it difficult to get to Miami multiple times for an in-peerson class but still want the personal touch Florida Wine Academy offers. We will “calibrate” everyone’s palate on the first day and go over the full course, then I’ll conduct a series of webinars covering all the areas we usually cover in the in-person class. These webinars are live, so you can discuss important points with me, ask questions and cover other important information. There is much less in-person tasting in this approach so you will need to do work at home, but we do have an opportunity to follow up on the webinars, and then there is a final review session in person in Miami before you take the exam. For more information or to register, go directly to the Florida Wine Academy Hybrid Page here.

WSET Level 3 in Miami for Autumn, 2025

Course dates to be announced shortly

Alessandra Esteves, DipWSET and I will be offering another in-person Level 3 course at Florida Wine Academy in Miami in the autumn. The class is held at our wonderful new classroom located within 305 Wines in South Miami, Florida. Dates will be announced shortly. In the meantime, for more information see the Florida Wine Academy Website here!

WSET Level 3 in October in Chicago

Course begins October 25, 2025

Our Level 3 course in Chicago in is offered over three weekends, beginning  Saturday and Sunday, October 25 & 26, 2025. The course then continues on November 8 & 9 and concludes November 22 & 23. The exam is the entire afternoon of Sunday, November 23.

Our Chicago courses are offered at the Hilton Garden Inn Central Loop, located at 245 South Franklin Street. It is in the heart of the financial district, situated across from the Willis Tower. Check the Fine Vintage website for more details!