The Epicurean Institute, located in Perugia, Italy, is an emerging boutique institute specializing in wine, food and hospitality education and study. Managed by an American and Italian team, and licensed through the AIS of Umbria, the Associazone of Italiana Sommelier, the institute offers both intense training and weekly excursions into vineyards to teach students every aspect of wine. All of the courses are taught in English and are arranged in 11-week programs.
The United States Sommelier Association hosts National Certification Programs for sommelier training through the Le Cordon Bleu --- College of Culinary Arts in Florida. These five-day courses are recommend for those with some knowledge of wine who are seeking intensive training and who want to become eligible for certification testing. Those involved with wine imports, distributors, resorts, hotels and restaurants are all encouraged to take the course. After graduation, students should be knowledgeable in all major wine regions and know the art of blind tasting.
The Court of the Master Sommeliers, based in Devon, England, and Napa, California, is "an organization dedicated to improving the understanding of fine beverages and service," according to its website. It offers sommelier accreditation courses, including the title of Master Sommelier, one of the most coveted sommelier certifications in the world. The school offers four levels of certification, starting with the introductory course and exam, which requires students to have at least three years of service or wine industry experience. The school also offers the certified exam, advanced sommelier course and exam, and the master sommelier diploma.
Affairs of the Vine, located in Sebastopol, California, is a wine education company that offers classes for those interested in learning more about the drink. Its Wine Boot Camp is an intensive one-day training program that provides students with the experience and knowledge they'll need to be totally confident in appreciating and understanding fine wines. During the class, participants will work hands-on in a vineyard, as well as a cellar, while learning from top winemakers and viticulturists.