How to become a wine director

Is becoming a wine director right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do wine directors do?

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How to become a Wine Director

Becoming a wine director requires a passion for wine and beverages combined with formal training and certification through recognized programs. Here’s an overview of the general pathway to the career:

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Earn a high school diploma or equivalent. High school education provides a foundation in basic communication and math and organizational skills, and it lays the groundwork for further learning.

Gain Basic Knowledge and Experience
Start by developing a fundamental understanding of wine and beverages. Read books, take online courses, and attend wine tasting events to familiarize yourself with different grape varietals, wine regions, and basic wine terminology.

Work in the Restaurant Industry
Begin your career in the hospitality industry by working as a server, bartender, or in another entry-level position to gain practical experience and learn about the day-to-day operations of a restaurant or similar venue.

Formal Education
Enroll in a recognized local or online wine education program to receive foundational training via structured curricula, classes, and exams.

Consider earning a degree in culinary arts, hospitality management, or a related field. These programs can provide a broader understanding of the restaurant and hospitality industry, which is essential for wine directors working in these settings. Some culinary arts programs offer courses focused on food and wine pairings.

Wine directors often need to manage budgets, inventory, and staff. Taking business and management courses can help you develop these skills. Possible areas of study include business and business administration.

Gain Wine Service Experience
Work in a restaurant that values its wine program, ideally under the guidance of an experienced wine director or sommelier. Start as a wine steward, manager, or assistant director. In this role, you can expand your practical knowledge of wine service and learn about food and wine pairings as well as customer interactions.

Pursue Certification
Depending on your goals, consider pursuing certifications from reputable organizations. Certifications, which are expected by many employers and often by customers, can help establish your expertise and make you more marketable as a wine director. These are some recognized organizations and credentials available in the field:

  • Certified Sommelier – Offered by the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS), this is the first level of their certification program. It covers wine theory, wine service, and tasting skills.
  • Advanced Sommelier – This is the second level in the Court of Master Sommeliers program. The Advanced certification entails a more comprehensive and challenging examination, testing advanced knowledge in wine theory, service, and tasting.
  • Master Sommelier – This is the highest level of certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers. The Master designation is extremely prestigious and challenging to achieve. It requires in-depth expertise in wine, service, and tasting. There are only a few Master Sommeliers worldwide.
  • The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) – The WSET offers a range of wine and spirits certifications, including Level 1 (Introductory), Level 2 (Intermediate), Level 3 (Advanced), and Level 4 (Diploma). The WSET Diploma is a highly respected credential for wine professionals.
  • The Society of Wine Educators (SWE) – SWE offers several certification programs: ¬the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS), Certified Wine Educator (CWE), Certified Spirits Educator (CSE), and Hospitality/Beverage Specialist Certificate (HBSC). These educational programs are internationally recognized and highly regarded in the wine and spirits industry.
  • Specialty Certifications – Some organizations offer specialty certifications, such as certifications in spirits, cheese, or food and wine pairings. These can also be valuable for wine directors.

Also providing support to the wine community are these organizations:

  • Culinary Institute of America
  • American Institute of Wine & Food
  • International Wine & Food Society (IWFS)
  • GuildSomm International
  • American Sommelier
  • United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG)
  • Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS)
  • SommCon Annual Conference and Expo
  • International Sommelier Guild
  • American Wine Society