Certificate in Professional Wine Knowledge, Level 5
Complete WSET® Award in Wine Levels 2 & 3 in a single qualification. Develop your palate as well as your theoretical knowledge with extensive wine tastings and discussion throughout the course.
INTRODUCTION
New opportunities for careers in wine have recently become available, reflecting global interest and demand for fine wines.
The New Zealand School of Food & Wine is the only WSET® authorised provider in New Zealand offering a NZQA accredited classroom based teaching programme. This intensive course offers hospitality professionals or wine enthusiasts both an NZQA Accredited Level 5 Qualification alongside the internationally recognised WSET qualifications.
PURPOSE
This qualification provides the winery, retail, hospitality, hotel, and tourism sectors with individuals who are able to apply knowledge of international wine, spirits and alcoholic beverages, and their markets, to work in customer services, sales, or leadership roles. This programme forms the first semester of the Diploma in Professional Wine Knowledge (Sommelier), Level 6.
MODULES
The business of Hospitality, Hotels, Wineries and Food and Wine Tourism
Through a series of wine and beverage tastings, you will learn how wine and food tourism experiences underpin the success of many wine regions around the world. We will also look at the market conditions required to build successful food and wine destinations that offer high-quality customer experiences through the distinctive wines they produce.
New Zealand wine styles, regions, innovation and influential producers
This module introduces the grape varieties that have established New Zealand's reputation as a country producing distinctive, quality wines. We will look at prominent wineries and winemakers who continue to enhance brand values and the stories behind their international success.
Module includes: Certificate in New Zealand Wine Micro-Credential
Customer service, sales, bartending and sommelier skills
The key to enhancing the customer experience is to develop communication skills that demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of wine, spirits, cocktails and other beverages as well as confidence in customer service. This module looks at the practical skills required to advise, sell and serve wine and other beverages. It includes a food and wine pairing workshop and participation in a wine tasting event.
International wine styles, grape varieties, wine production and regions
Around the world, styles of wine are influenced by the climate and conditions of regions and the grape varieties that are grown. Through a series of tastings, this module explores important international grape varieties that dominate European and New World wine regions. We look at viticulture and the wine-making process for white, red, sparkling wine and sweet wines.
Module includes: WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and WSET Level 3 Award in Wines.
Spirits, liqueurs, fortified wines, cocktails & bartending
In this module, we will taste and evaluate principal spirits and liqueurs styles and develop an understanding of the major international brands. Included are practical sessions that explain how to set up a bar for service and make classic and premium cocktails.
Module includes: WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits
Optional: French Wine Scholar
Students wishing to complete the French Wine Scholar qualification may signup for this exam for an additional fee of NZ$750.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates will gain work as wine and spirit professionals, and sommelier sales representatives in the hospitality, service and wine sectors. This may be in your own business, or in wine retail outlets, wineries, wine companies, resorts, lodges, cruise liners, luxury yachts, restaurants or cafés - there are many opportunities to explore once you graduate.
To ensure you receive all of the training required to operate within the hospitality industry you will also receive your Food Safety and Licence Controller qualifications.
PATHWAYS TO FURTHER STUDY
Graduates can go on to study:
This programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under section 439 of the Education and Training Act 2020, and New Zealand School of Food and Wine Limited is accredited to provide it under section 441 of the Education and Training Act.
Page Updated: 25 Mar 2025
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Full Time Programme Intakes
- 1 September - 19 December 2025
- 9 February - 29 May 2026
- 31 August - 18 December 2026
Full Time Programme Hours
- 16 Weeks
- 4 days per week
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
- 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Part Time Programme Intakes
- 3 May 2025 - TBC: November 2025
- Click here to view the full schedule
- 27 September 2025 - TBC: June 2026
- Click here to view the full schedule
- 8 November 2025 - TBC: June 2026
- Click here to view the full schedule
Part Time Programme Hours
- 14 Weekends Part Time
- Saturday & Sunday
- 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
