WINE EXPERIENCE PACKAGE (LONDON, UK)

The great thing about London's wine scene is that there are many prestigious institutions offering in-depth studies. We have chosen 3 of the best to ensure a first-rate learning experience during your wine sabbatical. Sabbaticals.com can "mix and match" programs across schools to optimize scheduling and learning diversity.

Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET)

Established in 1969 for the UK wine trade, WSET has since become the world’s leading provider of wine qualifications. Aimed at both professionals and enthusiasts, courses are offered directly and through a global network of partner schools, including our featured institutions below.

Wine Training School (WTS)

Based in the 5-star Corinthia Hotel overlooking the River Thames, WTS has been providing WSET courses since 2014. Using a modern approach to wine tasting, programs are taught by industry-leading educators and are known for being fun and engaging.

Berry Brothers & Rudd (BBR)

BBR is Britain's oldest wine and spirits merchant, founded in 1698. In addition to regular wine events, they also provide WSET courses on-site in their atmospheric cellars, which include comprehensive tuition, tasting sessions and examination preparation.

We recommend taking “WSET Levels 1, 2 and 3” over a 1 month period with one or more of our featured institutions:

• Level 1: Beginner level introduction to wine (1 day)

• Level 2: Beginner to intermediate level covering wine grapes, regions and styles (2 - 3 days)

• Level 3: Advanced level including grape growing and wine production, with 80+ tastings (6 days)

Courses are offered frequently to suit any sabbatical schedule.

Our suggested goal for this sabbatical would be to obtain WSET Levels 1, 2 and 3 qualification, which involves proctored exams at the end of each level. At this point, you would be an authority on wine, including how it’s made, key characteristics of still, sparkling and fortified wines, major wine growing regions across the world and how to taste wine using WSET’s systematic approach. And yes, that was not a typo, there will be over 80 tastings over the 6 days needed to complete Level 3 :-). On successful completion of Level 3, WSET will provide a green lapel pin to commemorate the achievement.

Owned by Sabbaticals.com, this recently renovated apartment is located on a quiet street in South Kensington, in what feels like a friendly village within walking distance of Kensington Gardens. With private entrance, it has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large living room and outside terrace. The commute to our featured institutions takes from 25 to 40 minutes by underground transportation.

If this flat does not suit your purposes, we will provide a selection of alternatives from Expedia (VRBO) with similar premium quality.

To get the most out of your experience, you will have a mentor and concierge both based in London.

Your mentor is a wine professional with close knowledge of the WSET program, who can advise and encourage you along the way. What's more, they will introduce you to the wine community in London, including unique insights and access to special events.

Your concierge is a hospitality professional who can help you in a range of areas, including airport transfer, settling in to your chosen accommodation, neighborhood highlights and general advice for living in London. They can also help you arrange side trips and other travel activities.