How to Become a Sommelier in 2024: Complete Guide to Certifications and Career Path

Wine is by far the most often paired drink with food. As such, most fine dining establishments employ professionals whose sole job is to provide guests with the perfect wine-food pairing — Sommeliers.

A Sommelier is also sometimes called a wine steward or wine waiter. They’re trained professionals whose job is to provide wine service in restaurant settings.

How To Become a Sommelier?

Do you need any formal education to become a Sommelier? What are the levels of being a Sommelier? These are just some of the questions that we’ll answer in this article so you know whether becoming a Sommelier is the career path for you.

There isn’t a “one-way” path to becoming a successful and capable Sommelier. While you can become one without any formal training, more and more aspiring Sommeliers are going for the structured learning path, and for good reasons which we’ll talk about shortly.

The two main providers of Sommelier certifications in the United States are:

Acquiring certification from one of these institutions will make you a valuable candidate for Sommelier jobs across the U.S.

Get a Certificate From a World-Renowned Institution

Let’s discuss what these institutions are, what their programs include and what you can expect to pay for enrollment.

Court of Master Sommeliers

Photo Source: Court of Master Sommeliers

The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) is the most notable educational institution for wine service professionals. It was established in 1977 and its purpose is to encourage quality standards for beverage service in restaurants and hotels.

The Court of Master Sommeliers offers four levels of certification for aspiring wine professionals, from the Introductory Sommelier Certificate to the prestigious Master Sommelier Diploma. Note that you have to complete these programs sequentially in order to acquire the highest one: the Master Sommelier Diploma.

1. Introductory Sommelier Certificate

The Introductory Sommelier Certificate is the most basic certificate that you can acquire by attending a three-day course with an examination at the end. This exam comprises multiple-choice questions alongside a practical wine service test.

The course and examination for the in-person Introductory Sommelier Course will cost you $839.

2. Certified Sommelier Examination

The Certified Sommelier Examination is a three-part examination that consists of a theory paper, blind tasting and a practical wine service test.

Sommeliers who have passed the Introductory Sommelier Certificate level will typically need the following to pass this test:

At least a few years in the wine service industry
A period of self-study using this resource library

The examination itself will cost you either $699 or $799, depending on location.

3. Advanced Sommelier Certificate

The Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination is the third step in your Sommelier journey. The course and examination are held independently of one another, and you must first attend the course before you can apply to take the exam.

The course combines classroom-style lectures and a small breakout testing session where you need to give feedback and advice. The program lasts for three days and it explores the Court of Master Sommeliers standards in service and beverage sales.

In order to take this course and examination, it’s recommended that you spend at least two years working in a service or sales position within the restaurant, hospitality or beverage industry.

Taking the Advanced Sommelier Course will cost you $1,799. The Advanced Sommelier Theory examinations will cost you $399, while the Advanced Sommelier Practical and Tasting Examinations will cost you $999.

All these ramp up the total cost of this program to $3,197.

4. Master Sommelier Diploma Examination

The Master Sommelier Diploma Examination is a three-part examination like the Advanced Sommelier one. It consists of an oral examination, a deductive tasting of six wines and a practical wine service examination.

The passing score for each part is 75%, which is why the program has a less than 10% passing rate. When going through the exams, you’ll need to wear a professional working attire and all the tools of the Sommelier trade.

You must showcase a high standard of technical skills and knowledge throughout the examination. Additionally, you need to demonstrate the hospitality and courtesy of a Master Sommelier.

The first part of the examination is the theoretical part. Taking it will cost you $999. The second and third parts are the Hospitality & Service Practical exam and the Tasting exam, which will cost you a combined $1,899 (or $999 each).

Keep in mind that these programs have a forced wait policy. This policy aims to make space for new candidates while forcing underperforming candidates to wait for one year after they’ve failed the examination with a score of <45%.

Having said that, plan ahead by checking their examination calendar to see when and where the next examinations take place. The Master Sommelier Diploma examination takes place twice a year in the U.S.

If you intend on taking the test next year, submit an application of intent in advance to be considered. .

Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET)

Photo Source: WSET Global

The WSET is another world-renowned organization providing training on wines and spirits to professionals and enthusiasts. Their programs focus on developing systematic tasting skills and product knowledge of wine regions and wines around the world.

As such, aspiring Sommeliers can opt to take the WSET courses if they want to advance their wine knowledge and skills. Just like the Court of Master Sommeliers, the WSET offers four levels of study.

While it’s recommended that you go through their programs in sequential order, you can enroll in their Level 2 or 3 studies without having completed any of the prior ones. However, if you plan to do so, we highly suggest that you acquire the equivalent knowledge beforehand.

Here’s a summary of each of the WSET levels:

1. WSET Level 1 Award in Wines

This is the most basic WSET program and it includes six hours of study online or in a classroom course. In the end, you need to pass a multiple-choice exam.

In this program, you’ll learn:

Main types and styles of wine
Common wine grapes and their characteristics
How to store and serve wine
Principles of food and wine pairing
How to describe wine

Enrolling in a WSET Level 1 Wine course will cost you $300.

2. WSET Level 2 Award in Wines

This program provides an intermediate-level qualification. It builds on the knowledge you’ll gain in the first program.

The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines focuses on the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions that grow them and the types of wine they produce.

Additionally, you’ll start focusing on tasting and theory to explore the factors that impact quality and style, and you’ll learn how to describe them with confidence — an important part of a Sommelier’s job.

Here’s a rundown of what you’ll learn:

How environmental factors, grape-growing, winemaking and maturation styles impact the quality and type of wine made from the eight principal grape varieties: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio/Gris.
The style and quality of wines made from 22 regionally important grape varieties and those produced in over 70 geographical indications around the world
How grape varieties and wine-making processes influence sparkling wines and fortified wines
Key labeling terms used to indicate quality, style and origin
Processes and principles involved in the service and storage of wine
Principles of wine and food pairing

Enrolling in a WSET Level 2 Wine course will cost you $650.

3. WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

The Level 3 WSET program is suited for professionals working in the wine industry who want to advance their careers even further. It goes into detail about grape growing and the wine making process.

Once completed, you’ll be able to assess wines properly and use your understanding to explain wine quality and style with utmost confidence.

More importantly, you’ll receive the WSET certificate and lapel pin, and you’ll be able to use the associated WSET-certified logo when advertising your personal brand and services.

Here’s what the program teaches in detail:

Key factors in wine production: location, grape growing, maturation, winemaking and bottling
How these factors impact the key characteristics of the main still wines, sparkling wines and fortified wines of the world
How to apply your understanding to explain wine quality and style
How to taste wines, describe their characteristics and quality

Enrolling in a WSET Level 3 Wine course will cost you $950.

4. WSET Level 4 Award in Wines

The WSET Level 4 Diploma is an expert-level qualification that covers all aspects of wine. It builds on the skills and knowledge gained from the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. It also focuses on how and why wine production and business can influence the quality, style and price of wines.

In this course, you’ll go through a comprehensive study of wine regions and develop your wine-tasting skills to the highest level. Completing the course will make you proficient in wine tasting and provide you with global recognition as an authoritative wine specialist.

This extensive course is divided into six units that cover a wide range of topics going into great detail about:

Wine production – 16-hour lecture; 80 hours of minimum private study time
Wine business – eight-hour lecture; 40 hours of minimum private study time
Sparkling wines of the world – 70-hour lecture; 170 hours of minimum private study time
Still wines – eight-hour lecture; 16 hours of minimum private study time
Fortified wines – 12-hour lecture; 16 hours of minimum private study time
Independent research assignment – two-hour lecture; 48 hours of minimum private study time

Overall, you can expect to spend 116 hours of delivery time with a WSET course provider, and about 370 hours of personal study and revision.

The examination time for each unit, excluding the independent research assignment, totals 11 hours and 50 minutes.

The total cost of all six courses will depend on the institution that provides them. In general, however, you can expect to pay somewhere between $7,000 and $10,000.

Find a Job in a Restaurant or Vineyard

Secure a sommelier job in a fine dining restaurant, upscale wine bar, or renowned vineyard to gain hands-on experience in wine pairing and service.

A year or two of relevant industry experience is essential for completing the courses anyway, so you might as well get a head start.

Working in vineyards can give you the opportunity to learn about the winemaking process, while a job in a restaurant or wine bar can provide experience in the art of pairing wine and food.

Additionally, the restaurant or vineyard you work in may already have a Sommelier, who can give you insight into the role and guide you. In fact, many Sommelier positions require Sommeliers to educate staff on wine-related things — from glassware to serving techniques.

Self-Intuitive Learning

Besides the two steps mentioned above, you can go above and beyond in expanding your wine knowledge by learning as much as you can about wines, the winemaking processes and everything in between by researching and learning online by yourself.

If you don’t know where you should start — don’t worry. We’ve searched far and wide to find blogs and YouTube channels that can be of immense help to aspiring Sommeliers like yourself.

Here are some of the best blogs where you can learn more and stay in touch with the latest trends in the wine industry:

Some of the best YouTube channels that produce wine-related content you can learn from are:

Here’s a great video from V is For Vino, where Vince talks about what a Sommelier is, the agencies that provide Sommelier certificates and how to study and prepare for the Sommelier exams.

Career Path After Becoming a Sommelier

Becoming a Sommelier isn’t the end goal for many aspiring Sommeliers.

While sommeliering is definitely a rewarding career in itself, you have the option to advance to many other positions, including managerial ones. Additionally, you have the option to start your own business.

Some of the careers you can take up after being a Sommelier include:

Wine consultant
Tasting room manager
Vineyard manager
Restaurant manager
Winemaker
Wine salesperson

Frequently Asked Questions on How To Become a Sommelier

While the main goal of Sommeliers is to provide customers with the ideal wine-food pairing for a memorable dining experience, Sommeliers are also responsible for the following:

Maintaining wine inventory
Choosing wines to add to the menu
Training staff on how to serve and store wine
Maintain relationships with wine salespeople

For a full list of what the Sommelier job entails, check out our Sommelier job description page.

The average base salary for Sommeliers in the U.S. is $65,581 per year. Sommeliers in Washington earn the highest average base salary ($76,033), so location plays a big factor in how much you’ll make as a Sommelier.

Moreover, your experience and level of certification will also play an important role in how much you earn. An experienced Master Sommelier will earn significantly more than a beginner Sommelier with only an introductory certificate.

The fastest route to becoming a Sommelier is to complete at least an introductory Sommelier course and spend a year or two in a wine-related service position in a restaurant or vineyard.