Support

WSG policy states that no person with a passing score be allowed to re-sit an exam in order to achieve a higher score.  

This policy is in effect in order to not compromise the integrity of the exam. Please note, WSG offers prizes each year for our top scorers.  

Yes! Candidates scoring 85-90 pass with Honors. Candidates scoring 91-100 pass with Highest Honors. Each year, WSG honors the highest scorer of the year with the WSG Award of Excellence.

Yes. Sample test questions and practice quizzes can be found in each program through the online portal. Each program comes with supplemental materials in order to prepare each student in the best way possible!

All exam questions are taken from the manual, therefore, we will not include errata material on the exam. However, students should know what is current. We ask that each student amend the study manual with the information in the Errata to bring it up-to-date.  

Although it is possible to extend enrollment and the exam deadline, it is recommended that candidates take the exam within 12 months of registering for a program. The study manuals are regularly updated with relevant information. This 12-month window ensures that candidates are tested on the material they studied. 

No, there is not a tasting component to the exam. Please note, our online programs include webinar series on wine styles. WSG Programs include suggested wine lists and tasting is always part of the classroom offerings.

There is a description of what students should study within each online portal for each program. Study maps, review the facts, and apply the material you have learned! 

The exam is not open-book. Both paper exams and online exams are proctored. When sitting the exam, no books, notes, maps or other materials can be on the desk/table, on the walls, or on the computer screen. Exceptionally, Masters students only are permitted 2 sheets of blank paper and a pen.  (Exam questions must not be written down.)  

The Essentials exams consist of 50 multiple-choice questions and students have 45 minutes to complete the test. The pass mark is 60%. 

Wine Scholar exams consist of 100 multiple-choice questions. A passing score is 75 or higher. Educators intending to teach the program must pass with a score of 85 or higher. There is no tasting component to this exam. Students have one hour to complete the test.   

Master Level exams have a different format (see Master Level exam FAQs below). 

For classroom students, program providers schedule test dates at the end of their classroom instruction. These exams are paper exams.   

For online students, you have up to one year from the date of registration to sit the exam.  You will find all the information you need to schedule your exam in your online classroom. If you experience any issues scheduling your exam, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Very important note: The exam must be taken before the enrollment expiry date. An exam taken on or after the enrollment expiry date cannot be supported by our system.

The Wine Scholar exams are proctored through ProctorU, one of the industry’s leading online proctoring companies. ProctorU is a live online proctoring service that allows the individual to take the exam from the comfort of home. ProctorU is available 24/7, however, each student will need to schedule the proctoring session at least 72 hours in advance to avoid any additional on-demand scheduling fees (paid directly to ProctorU.)  

For all exams proctored by ProctorU, you can cancel or reschedule your exam up to 24 hours before your scheduled exam start time by logging in to your ProctorU account and using the rescheduling link. If cancelling or rescheduling less than 24 hours prior to the exam start time and/or you are not showing up for your exam or more than 15 minutes late, a $95 re-scheduling fee payable to WSG will be applied. 

If you have taken an exam and need to re-sit you have two options available to you:

• If you studied with an Approved Program Provider, please contact your school to coordinate an exam re-take (fees apply).
• If you registered online with WSG, you may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to coordinate your exam re-take (fees apply).

You may register for an exam alone without purchasing the study package. However, since all test questions are taken from the manual, the odds are not in your favor for a successful exam sit. We recommend joining the relevant program for the best possible chances of success. But it is not compulsory.

You may contact the WSG office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further assistance.

You must schedule your exam using the exam link in your WSG account (and not directly through the ProctorU website). Follow the "exam invitation" at Step 2 of your exam page. If you have just been prompted to create a ProctorU account, please return to your exam link (in your WSG account) and repeat the steps, clicking on the scheduling link again to activate the exam invitation.     

We will send you a confirmation email with your results letter, 7 days from your exam date. If you have passed the FWS, SWS or IWS diploma (both units), you will receive a certificate and lapel pin through the post.

No. These are advanced exams conferring a professional post-nominal. It is helpful to have a solid, general wine background before embarking on these courses of study. 

If you are interested in a beginner-level course, please feel free to check out our Wine Essentials courses. 

Our certifications have an average minimum requirement of 100 hours of study time, including around 20 hours spent in the classroom (classroom study format) or viewing online review lectures (online study format).  

Please note, that additional study time may be required if the student does not have a strong wine background. 

• Spanish Wine Scholar: We recommend spending an average of four hours per chapter. There are 10 chapters in the manual. Some chapters are longer than others, but the smaller units might contain the most important information. In sum, plan on approximately 40 hours of time in preparation.
• French Wine Scholar: We recommend spending an average of four hours per chapter. There are 21 chapters in the latest Edition 7 manual. Some chapters are longer than others, but the smaller units might contain the most amount of new information. In sum, students should plan on approximately 100 hours of study and review in preparation. 
  
• Italian Wine Scholar: We recommend spending an average of 8 hours per chapter. There are 8 to 12 chapters in the manual depending on the Unit. Some chapters are longer than others, however, the smaller units may have a great deal of information that is unfamiliar to many students. In sum, the student should plan on approximately 64 to 96 hours of study for each unit.  

Of course! Read through the Fundamentals Unit (Chapter 1) in its entirety before studying the individual chapters. Always begin by reading each regional chapter in its entirety before going back to study it. Work with a highlighter. Highlight new terms and important appellations. 

Use blank maps and locate the most important information such as the appellations, grapes, soils, mountains and rivers. Check off the learning objectives as they are mastered, which are downloadable on the Online Course page. Confirm content retention by working through all available resources. 

For the online Wine Scholar exams, test takers will see their results immediately upon submitting their exam.  

Distance learning students receive exam results via email, seven business days from the date of the exam. Successful results are also sent by post including a congratulations letter, a certificate and a lapel pin.  

Successful classroom students will receive their results, certificate and lapel pin via their Approved Program Provider. Exceptionally, students in the United States who complete their program through an Approved Program Provider will receive their results, certificate and lapel pin by post.  

Each successful candidate will receive a letter of congratulations, lapel pin and a certificate suitable for framing. Each successful candidate also has the right to include the post-nominal as part of his or her professional signature (i.e. John Smith, FWS).

You will need a computer with reliable internet connection, a webcam, working microphone and speaker. The exam cannot be taken from a tablet, mobile phone or Chromebook. A good internet connection is required. 

If you have TeamViewer software on your device, please disable or uninstall prior to your ProctorU session start. 

Distance learning students of current program versions will take the exam with ProctorU, one of the industry’s leading on-line proctoring companies. ProctorU is a live online proctoring service that allows the individual to take the exam from the comfort of home. ProctorU is available 24/7, however, each student will need to schedule the proctoring session at least 72 hours in advance to avoid any additional on-demand scheduling fees (paid directly to ProctorU.) 

For Masters programmes' students, each candidate will receive a results letter by email, 3 weeks from their exam date. Successful candidates will be mailed a letter of congratulations and a certificate suitable for framing.

You will need a computer with reliable internet connection, a webcam, working microphone and speaker. The exam cannot be taken from a tablet, mobile phone or Chromebook. A good internet connection is required.

The exams for all current versions of the Masters programs are proctored by ProctorU, one of the industry’s leading on-line proctoring companies. ProctorU is a live online proctoring service that allows the individual to take the exam from the comfort of home. 

To schedule your exam, please check the exam section of your online classroom for all the information you need.   If you experience any issues scheduling your exam, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The exam consists of three sections: 50 multiple-choice questions (worth 50 points), four short-answer essay questions (worth 40 points total) and a map identification exercise (worth 10 points).

The exam demands a working knowledge of the material, a true understanding of the inner workings of the region, and an ability to integrate those facts into a meaningful whole. The four essay questions will test your working knowledge of the material. They require a working knowledge and a deep understanding of the material.

Candidates are given 2 hours to complete the Masters exam with ProctorU. 

• You’ll learn so much more than you would on your own! During WSG tours, our internationally renowned instructors are always with you; providing fascinating information, answering questions, and clarifying facts and figures to ensure understanding of the nuances and subtleties of each region and its wine styles.
• Camaraderie! And the experience of exploring new wine regions with other like-minded individuals who are just as passionate and obsessive about great wine as you are!
• Access to amazing wine tastings and estates you would not be able to visit on your own. With personal and long-standing relationships in each of the regions we operate, WSG has some of the highest-level contacts in the industry. As a WSG study abroad participant, you will have the opportunity to taste incredible wines at each estate and will be welcomed as an honored guest everywhere you go.
• All our WSG instructors have lived or worked in France, Italy, Spain, or other countries in which we operate, for many years. This has allowed them to cultivate extensive experience and contacts within the region. You’ll get expert information about the wine business, and an insider’s take on local culture.
• Avoid taking chances on hotels or restaurants you don’t know.  With more than a decade of experience, our guides use first-hand knowledge to select the best hotels and restaurants for your enjoyment.
• Make the most of your travel time! Our itineraries minimize driving to ensure you receive a thorough overview of the region, taking in the breathtaking landscapes and amazing wine culture of each respective region.
• Avoid driving, navigating or directions. Feel free to relax and enjoy wine your meals in the comfort of a safe and carefully curated learning environment.
• Your WSG instructor and Tour Manager will translate for the group at all times, eliminating communication or language barriers, as many winemakers in France, Italy and Spain may have limited English proficiency.

Our Educational Wine Tours offer end-to-end full-service wine experiences with all lodging, and most meals included. You may move locations throughout the week and visit up to three wineries each day. This type of tour provides a deep-dive experience in the vineyards, cellars, and with local winemakers and there is no classroom instruction.

Our Masters Program Immersions provide a 360-degree view of a region via 3 days of classroom instruction with extensive tutored tastings and two days of field trip study. These programs supplement the existing WSG course content and are available to new students, current students, and alumni. Course materials are included in the price, and you can take your certification exam for the corresponding program once you return home. It’s expected that students arrive in the region having already completed all of the online lectures of the corresponding Masters certification.

Hotels are not included in the price of our Masters Program Immersions, but we are happy to provide information on options for all budgets once you reserve your seat. Lunch is included on field trip days, with free time on classroom days to source your own lunch at your expense. A welcome dinner and farewell meal are also included. Many students prefer the structure of learning in the classroom combined with the free time in the evenings of this format.

We request that all guests on our trips are serious and passionate about wine; however, there are no official prerequisites for WSG Educational Wine tour experiences. Guests will receive study materials from the WSG prior to the tour that must be thoroughly studied before coming on the tour.

For all Masters Program Immersion experiences, you will receive the study materials once your deposit is paid. Students must have completed all six months of the online program

They begin and end directly in the wine region you’ll be visiting. For your convenience, all trips start and end in or near a city with major rail links and/or airports.

Transportation to and from the meeting and ending point is up to you and at your own cost. Information on trip starting and ending points is included in the itinerary for each trip. You’ll be sent all the information you need to make your travel arrangements once reserved.

Our instructors have arranged professional-level tastings at some of the finest estates in each region. At all the estates, you'll receive a warm welcome and an educational tasting often with the winemaker himself or herself. In most cases, you will tour the technical facilities (vat room and aging cellars) in addition to your tasting. You may taste from the barrel or vat in addition to recent and older vintages in the bottle. Sometimes you’ll taste in the cellar, sometimes in a tasting room and other times outdoors. 

During some visits, you’ll go out into the vineyard with the winemaker to discuss vineyard management and harvesting. If the winemaker doesn’t speak English, the instructor will translate for him or her and for you if you have questions. Each estate visit is unique.

Please ask the instructor if there is enough time before the end of the visit for you to make your purchase without impeding the progress and timing of the trip.

It is very rare that estates offer international shipping. If you would like to purchase wine, we recommend that you ask your government’s customs office for their rules and regulations if you intend to bring wine back into your country, or have wine shipped to you. You always have the option of bringing wine home with you in your checked luggage. A specialized wine suitcase is perfect for this. Depending on your home country, this amount will vary.

You may have to pay some amount of duty on your wine when you go through customs. Therefore, it's best to check with your local authorities for further information.

For the field trip days, we recommend comfortable and casual attire. But please avoid sweats and old sneakers, for example. For our visits to more prestigious estates, slightly more elegant attire is requested and appreciated. We'll be doing quite a bit of standing and some walking during the field trip days, plus the cellars can be damp, so it would be best to avoid high heels and opt for comfortable shoes for the daytime. For walks in the vineyards, you’ll want appropriate walking shoes or sneakers. For the evening, do bring some dressier clothes for dinners in elegant restaurants.

We choose 4-star hotels to ensure a high level of comfort, including en-suite bathrooms, WiFi and air conditioning.  It’s very important for the hotels to be well situated in the region, to keep driving time and distance to a minimum. We want to make sure you are as close as possible to the vineyards and other local sites of interest. The hotels we choose also must be large enough to accommodate groups.

We thoroughly check each hotel before including it in a WSG tour or program. In wine regions that are large and spread out, you may change hotels once or twice during a week-long stay (to keep driving times to a minimum each day). In other regions, there may be only one centrally located hotel.

In most of the hotels yes, the rooms are identical. However, exceptions may occur in many of the charming French, Italian or Spanish hotels located in historic buildings. 

There may be differences in the size of the rooms, the view from each room may vary, the decor may be slightly different etc. Since many of these hotels are also small, it is sometimes difficult to reserve the quantity of rooms required all in the same category. In this case, we fill the rooms in the order of sign-ups, filling the highest category rooms first, to reward those who sign up quickly.

Rest assured, all rooms have the same lovely level of comfort and services (A/C, WiFi, en-suite bathrooms, TV, etc.). No guest will receive a “bad” room, the rooms may just not all look exactly alike.

For Educational Wine Tours: the majority of meals are included in the trip price. You’ll enjoy lunches and dinners at excellent establishments that offer finely prepared dishes.

Most dinners are gastronomic and include three or four courses; lunches are gourmet but somewhat lighter so you can stay alert during your afternoon visits and tastings.

Most of the time, there will be a set menu expertly selected for your enjoyment, paired with preselected special wines of the region. Meals offer great opportunities to discuss food and wine matching, of course!

Most trips include a few lunches and/or dinners on your own, so you can also try local restaurants of your choice or have a lighter meal if you wish.

For Masters Program Immersion: these experiences typically include a welcome dinner, a farewell meal, as well lunches during your field trip days. These meals will be paired with selected local wines. The rest of the meals are at your expense. WSG and/or the instructor will provide a list of some dining options for you to consult

For group meals included in the price of the program, premium—and sometimes quite prestigious—wines are expertly selected from the region you’re visiting to perfectly pair with each dish.

Meals offer an opportunity to taste wines from appellations that may not be represented in the winery tastings or to introduce you to some interesting or unusual wines your instructor feels merit your attention. 

There are usually several different wines served with each meal.  At all meals, we include a minimum of a half-bottle of wine per person.  All wines included in your trip are meticulously chosen by the instructor.  You are always welcome to purchase additional wine or other beverages at your own cost, in addition to those provided. 

We do our best to accommodate special needs and dietary restrictions. It's usually possible to provide a substitute meal or dish if an individual cannot have what the group is eating. Please inform us of your allergies or intolerances in advance, upon registering for the tour or immersion course. We will do our best to accommodate.  The reservation form includes an area to specify dietary restrictions. If you have not informed us beforehand of your specific dietary needs, we cannot ensure these will be met.  

Our tour instructors are among the most renowned and respected wine professionals in the wine business. They are also professional wine educators who are absolutely passionate about the region and its wines. You can see a full biography of the instructor for each trip on the corresponding page, so you can know exactly with whom you'll be touring and learning. Most are native English speakers (American or British), and all other instructors speak English fluently.

Our instructors have that special combination of high-level wine expertise, personal warmth, friendliness, and excellent leadership skills. They'll accompany you every day, throughout the trip, and will be able to answer all of your questions about the wines of the region you’ll be visiting (and about wine in general).

The tour manager is there to help the instructor during the time in class, serving wines and assisting with other tasks. On our wine tours and field-trip days, they are there to make sure all the logistics of the day run smoothly so that the instructor can devote their time to educating. This includes liaising with the bus driver and restaurants before and during the trip. Along with the instructor, they are responsible for making sure that the group is punctual for all visits, meals, and drop-offs. They also help to handle any emergency that may come up.

Yes, we strongly encourage you to purchase a very comprehensive travel insurance package once you have paid your non-refundable deposit for a Study Trip. Note that many plans require you to purchase the insurance very soon after your deposit payment (some require it within 14 days). There are any number of things that can happen that can cause cancellation or interruption of package travel, and travel insurance can help cover the costs you incur as a result.

You can find travel insurers easily and there are sites where you can compare policies (for example, Insure My Trip). Be sure to read policies very carefully before you purchase. Include your airfare, train fare, and any other expenses you will have in addition to the price of the study trip itself. We highly recommend getting a “cancel for any reason” policy, which offers the best coverage. Travel experts say “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel,” so don’t skimp on this important coverage!

"Students of Wine"; whether wine industry professionals or serious wine hobbyists who wish to learn extensively about the wines of France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Spain with the leader in French, Italian, and Spanish wine education and certification.

Yes, you need to be in good physical condition. On field trip days, we will be walking short distances into the vineyards, walking through a winery, up and down stairs, and often standing in place for a while during a winery tour and tasting (sometimes there is no place to sit in the winery).

Yes, definitely. We keep group size to no more than 16-18 participants, to make sure that everyone gets individual attention. The smaller group size also allows us to use a smaller motor coach, so we can take smaller, more scenic country roads and maneuver more easily through narrow estate access roads. It also enables us to visit exclusive estates that do not accept large groups.