TAFE SA Wine and Spirits School Brochure

Grow what you know with TAFE SA’s Wine and Spirits School.

TAFE SA has been a leader in wine and spirits education for more than 30 years. Delivered by industry experts, our globally recognised professional courses aim to develop comprehensive product knowledge and tasting skills, covering the significant wines and wine regions of the world.

As an experienced Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Approved Program Provider, we offer a diverse range of courses, from the prestigious WSET courses to the French and Italian Wine Scholar programs to the Barossa Wine School, and everything in between. Our strong connections to industry enable us to continually seek out new and exciting opportunities for wine and spirits professionals, as well as provide ongoing development and pathways to further study.

South Australia is the largest producer of Australian premium wine, producing world-class wine with an international reputation, making it the ideal location to further your career in wine and spirits and put your skills immediately into practice in the growing wine industry and restaurant scene.

Wine & Spirit Education Trust

Established in 1969 for the UK wine trade, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has since grown to become the global industry leader in training and education for wine professionals.

TAFE SA is an Approved Program Provider for WSET courses. WSET programs offer qualifications that are recognised in more than 70 countries and provide a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, with programs ranging from entry-level to advanced, including specialisation programs in wine, spirits and sake.

Meet our lecturers

Our lecturers are current leaders in their field. When you study with TAFE SA, you’ll be guided by some of the most highly respected and awarded professionals working in the industry.

Gill Gordon-Smith IWE Co-ordinator and Academic support manager WSS TAFE SA

Gill Gordon-Smith leads the TAFE SA Wine and Spirits School lecturer team. Gill is a Certified Specialist of Wine, Italian and French Wine Scholar and one of only 15 people (and the first Australian!) to achieve the Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Expert certification. Whilst she has a very educated international palate, Gill is passionate about Australian wine and is firmly focussed on bringing the most up to date professional certifications to South Australia.

Gill is a judge for the Qantas Wine List of the Year Awards and travels regularly to judge and taste wines both in Australia and Italy. Gill completed the Australian Wine Research Institute advanced assessment course in 2011. She was 2017 WCA Educator of the Year and 2017 WCA communicator of the year and 2020 AWIWA Woman of Inspiration. Gill has vast experience in customer service gained from 20 years with Qantas International and 15 years running her own cellar door and retail outlet.

Josh Beare

With broad experience in visual communication, marketing, retail sales and cellar door management, Josh is passionate about all things wine! Josh holds a range of WSET qualifications including the WSET 3 Award in Spirits, he is one of a small group of educators to complete this course. He has also completed the Australian Wine Research Institute Advanced Wine Assessment Course. In his spare time, Josh and his young family enjoy travelling, eating and tasting widely.

Sally Johnson

Starting her career in the kitchens of Adelaide, Sally then moved to the UK where a stint working in wine retail ignited her passion for all things wine. With experience working across both large format and independent wine retail in Adelaide as well as managing and marketing several Cellar Doors in the region she now calls home, the Barossa. Sally holds a range of qualifications including the WSET Diploma and AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment course. In her spare time Sally dreams of being able to travel again. Sally is a welcome addition to the WSS team and like all of our educators still works in Industry. Sally’s marketing, customer service and digital skills are exceptional.

Philip Reedman MW

Philip is one of only 380 Masters of Wine in the world. A certified WSET Educator, Philip also teaches seminars in Europe and Australia through the Institute of Masters of Wine. With more than 30 years’ experience in France, Portugal and Australia, Philip has extensive knowledge extending well beyond Australian shores. Philip works as a consultant for a number of wineries and vineyards in South Australia and is a regular judge at metropolitan, regional and international wine shows, as well as a guest speaker and lecturer at conferences and institutions across the southern hemisphere.

Geoff Cowey

Geoff has more than 20 years’ experience in winemaking, wine science and wine education roles. With degrees in chemistry, winemaking and a WSET Diploma, Geoff has worked harvests in small and large wineries across Australia’s wine regions, as well as in France, Spain and New Zealand. Geoff also works at the Australian Wine Research Institute, where he provides winemaking advice and wine education for grape-growers and winemakers.

Briony Liebich

Briony is a sensory analyst with 17 years of hands-on experience in the beer, wine and food industries. Working with some of the country’s best known and loved food, beer and wine brands, her experience includes managing sensory programs, leading tasting workshops and quality control. She has judged beer, cider and olive oil at state and national competitions since 2014 and holds the WSET Level 3 award in Wine and Spirits.

Annabel Mugford

Annabel has a long and distinguished career in the wine industry and brings a wealth of experience from roles at some of Australia’s top wine brands, including Wine Australia and Barossa Wine School. Annabel also has a long family history in viticulture and winemaking spanning several states, as well as credentials in wine marketing and business.

David Le Mire MW

David is a wine business professional with experience in retail, distribution, and brand management. A two-year stint in London in the mid-90s gave him a ‘eurocentric’ palate, which he further developed in his roles with Negociants Australia, a leading importer of fine wine. David regularly writes for Australia’s Wine Business Magazine, is a wine show judge, partner in Adelaide wine bar, Mother Vine, and from 2008 to 2016 was co-convenor of the Australasian Institute of Masters of Wine Educational Seminar. In 2010 he joined the team at leading Adelaide Hills winery Shaw + Smith in the role of Global Sales and Marketing Manager.

Catherine Woods

Catherine started her career in wine with a decade working for Decanter magazine in London, tasting thousands of wines and travelling extensively around the world’s wine regions. Moving to Australia in 2007, Catherine completed her WSET Diploma in Sydney before spending ten years as marketing manager for Primo Estate in McLaren Vale. Catherine now supports local growers through her role at Adelaide Farmers’ Market. With a soft spot for Bordeaux and Napa cabernet blends, Catherine loves sharing her knowledge and passion with a new generation of wine professionals.

Volker Trede

After more than 15 years working in international corporate roles, in 2014, Volker completely reevaluated his career and life, deciding to pursue personal interests and new experiences through wine education and travel. Volker has completed the WSET Diploma and French and Italian Wine Scholar programs and is our German specialist, achieving the Certified German Wine Consultant with Deutsche Weininstitut.

Judi Brooks

Judi has many years’ experience in wine education. Judi started her wine journey in the Clare Valley, working in sales and marketing, as well as owning a vineyard there. She has worked in various roles across Australia’s many wine regions, including Margaret River and Coonawarra, and is now based in the Barossa Valley. Judi has a passion for the Australian industry and a particular love for riesling, as well as a strong interest in Spanish and Portuguese wines and emerging varieties.

Courses

Thanks to the lecturers in the WSET courses I have gained an expanded knowledge and confidence of wine and spirts. I believe my new knowledge combined with my sales and business experience will bring more opportunities to start my new chapter to work within the industry.

Noemi Gardonyi, WSET Level 1 Award in Wines and Australian Wine and WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

WSET Level 1 Award in Sake

This beginner level course offers a hands-on introduction to the world of Sake. Join Sake Master, Yukino Ochiai, as we explore the main styles and types of sake through sight, smell and taste to develop an understanding of the key factors affecting flavours and aromas.

Duration Delivery

1 full day

On campus

WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits

This course offers a beginner level introduction to spirits for those starting a career in the industry or pursuing an interest in spirits. You will explore the main styles and types of spirits through sight, smell and taste to develop an understanding of the key factors affecting flavours and aromas. You will also learn about different cocktail recipes and the types of spirits used.

Duration Delivery

1 full day On campus/online

The TAFE SA Wine and Spirits School delivers a range of courses at locations across metropolitan and regional South Australia.

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines

The WSET® Level 1 Award in Wines* prepares students for an entry-level job in hospitality or retail. The program delivers the basic product knowledge and skills required in the service and retail of wine. The program is an excellent introduction for the wine novice, non-wine drinkers and those encountering wine for the first time.

Duration Delivery

1 full day On campus/online

*An Australian wine component can be added to this course.

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

Gain in-depth knowledge of a wide range of wines. This is an advanced level qualification suitable for professionals working in the wine industry, as well as experienced consumers. You will gain a detailed understanding of grape growing and wine making, learn to assess wines accurately and use your understanding to confidently explain wine style and quality.

Prerequisite

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines or equivalent*

Duration Delivery

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

Ideal for both professionals seeking a core understanding of international wines, and those with a personal interest, this qualification explores the major grape varieties and important wine regions in which they are grown. You’ll learn about the styles of wines produced from these grapes as well as key classifications and labelling terminology.

Duration Delivery

4 full days or On campus/online 9 evening sessions

8 full days or On campus/online 16 evening sessions

*An online assessment is available.

Contact TAFE SA Wine and Spirits School for more information.

WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines

Building on the knowledge and skills gained from the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, the Level 4 Diploma deepens your understanding of how and why wine production and business factors influence the style, quality and price of wines.

Your expertise is built both theoretically, through comprehensive study of a large number of wine regions, and practically, by developing your wine tasting skills to an expert level. Successful graduates acquire exceptional analytical skills and proficiency in evaluative wine tasting, gaining global recognition as authoritative wine specialists.

Duration Delivery

18 months – 3 years On campus/online

Whisky Ambassador

The course is perfect for people working in industry or those that have an interest in learning more about Scotland in a Glass®. The course covers Whisky by numbers, production, nosing and tasting, mixers and cocktails and other world whiskies.

Duration Delivery

Barossa Wine School – Level 1 & 2

Barossa Wine School is a certification program developed by Barossa Grape & Wine Association to enhance participants’ understanding of wine styles, history, viticulture and winemaking in Australia’s most famous wine region, the Barossa Valley.

Duration Delivery

Italian Wine Scholar

The Italian Wine Scholar study program is an Italian wine course designed and developed for members of the wine trade and serious wine consumers seeking specialisation and certification. The program is designed to test your proficiency and is one of the most advanced and specialist programs on Italian wine.

1 day

On campus Gin Ambassador

The Gin Ambassador Program will take you on a gin journey covering: origins, productions methods, botanicals, range of gin styles, gin cocktails, tasting and perfect serve.

Duration Delivery

1 day

On campus

3 days

On campus

Duration Delivery

1 day On campus

Small Scale Winemaking

Develop an understanding of the basic winemaking principles for red wine production.

Gain hands-on experience in aspects of winemaking, including monitoring for grape maturity, harvesting the fruit, crushing, fermentation, maturation, sensory and technical analysis of wine, along with finishing the wine and bottling and packaging.

Duration Delivery

12 sessions

[up to 12 months]

On campus

French Wine Scholar

The French Wine Scholar program is a study and certification program providing current, accurate and in-depth information on the wines and wine regions of France. Developed and administrated by the Wine Scholar Guild* with the support of the French Ministry of Agriculture, this program is aimed at advanced students of wine, whether professionals or serious wine hobbyists.

Duration Delivery

3 days On campus*

Please ask for details on other Wine Scholar Guild programs.

The knowledge and industry experience of the lecturers and guest lecturers has been amazing. I also enjoy studying in a class of industry professionals with different background, knowledge and experiences which has also helped me to expand my knowledge of the wine industry.

Faye Fu, WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines

Beer Basics – A tasting journey through the main styles and flavours

Join sensory analyst, Beer Judge and Certified Ciccerone of Beer, Briony Liebich, in a three-week exploration of the styles, flavours and tastes of beer. Improve your knowledge and your palate. Learn about the many styles from wheat beer to stouts, improve the way you describe beer and find your favourites. Each week will look at 3 – 4 examples. You will need to be over 18 to take this course.

Week one covers the basics of tasting including descriptors and a deep dive into Malt styles. You will practise tasting and learn how the raw materials affect the outcome.

Week two builds on your flavour and aroma vocabulary and focusses on hops. You will look at some great examples and discuss faults. This class showcases Noble, English and American styles.

Week three looks at how yeast affects style and flavour, you will add to your vocabulary and practise your tasting technique with light, sour and wild ferment styles.

The course is suitable for all levels of experience from the interested consumer to the professional.

Duration Delivery

3 weeks On campus

How to apply

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I highly recommend TAFE SA’s Wine and Spirits School for any professional working in growing wine, viticulture and hosting wine tourists. Prior to studying at TAFE SA I studied both a Bachelor and Masters degree in Viticulture. The support notes, lecturers and course delivery were on par with the university. James Hook, WSET Level 3 Award in Wines