There are many pathways to building expertise in wine, and each offers a different perspective on learning, tasting and career development. In this webinar, leading wine educators from across the United States come together to compare major certification routes, explain what each organisation offers, and share how different qualifications can support different professional goals. Through their own experiences, the panel will explore how combining certifications can shape careers and open new opportunities across the drinks industry.
Event details
Join a panel of wine educators representing several of the world’s leading wine education organisations as they discuss the different approaches to certification and professional development.
During the session, the panel will:
- Compare the learning approaches and focus of different wine certifications
- Share their own educational journeys and career experiences
- Explore how professionals combine qualifications over time
- Discuss how different certifications support different career paths
The discussion will conclude with an audience Q&A.
Speaker Details
Christine Kamine, DipWSET
Head of APP Development, Americas – WSET
Christine Kamine oversees the development and support of WSET’s Approved Programme Providers across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Her career has spanned wine journalism, brand education, distributor relationships and winery experience in Spain, California, Australia and New Zealand. Christine holds the WSET Diploma and is a WSET Certified Educator.
Caroline Hermann MW
Caroline Hermann MW is based in Washington DC and works at the US Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), where she leads the Import-Export Program for wine, beer and spirits. A certified WSET educator in wine and sake, she also teaches industry professionals at Capital Wine School and has consulted for wineries, trained restaurant beverage teams and judged international wine competitions. Caroline began her wine journey while working in retail wine sales and studying with WSET and became Washington DC’s second Master of Wine in 2018.
Julie Cohen Theobald
Executive Director, Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas
Julie Cohen Theobald is the Executive Director of the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. She oversees the organisation’s operations and supports the development of its sommelier certification programmes across the region.
Jenny Hemmer DipWSET
Executive Director, GuildSomm International
Jenny Hemmer is Executive Director of GuildSomm International, a nonprofit membership organisation supporting beverage professionals through education and community. With more than 20 years in the wine and spirits industry, she has held leadership roles across distributor sales, training, corporate communications and education. Jenny holds the WSET Diploma and is also a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators.
This event does not necessarily constitute official WSET course material and should not be used as such.