San Francisco Wine School launches
A comprehensive program focusing on wine, beer & spirits for diverse career tracks
The world of wine, beer and spirits has never enjoyed a more exciting time with respect to interest, sales and professionalism. To meet the growing need for education and certification in both the trade and consumer communities, a new school has been established by David Glancy, Master Sommelier called the San Francisco Wine School (SFWS). Kicking off in May 2011, the school, which offers wine, beer and spirits classes for all levels of students offers diverse learning tracks under one roof depending on whether the student seeks a post nominal certification or simply wants to enhance their knowledge base as an extracurricular pursuit.
The San Francisco Wine School, is the only authorized provider of the French Wine Scholar study and certification programs in the Bay Area. Known for its progressive use of online study modules, review quizzes, webinars (live & archived) as well as live classes with tastings, the French Wine Scholar program offers flexibility in today’s technologically advanced environment. Versed in this program as well as the rigorous Master Sommelier training, Glancy founded the school after more than fifteen years of professional development as a restaurateur, consultant, educator and writer. His most recent position was that of founder and lead educator of the Certified Sommelier program at the Professional Culinary Institute, recently renamed the French Culinary Institute.
The program at SFWS will offer the trade as well as interested consumers advanced level classes that would be useful in preparing for the Master of Wine, Master Sommelier, Wine & Spirit Education Trust and Society of Wine Educators certification examinations. ”Our goal is to bring the preparation for all respected beverage credentialing programs under one roof”, says Glancy. Additionally there will be extensive classes for consumers covering wines of the world, restaurant wine etiquette, food pairing, as well as education about beer and spirits.
In 2010, the consumption of wine per capita in the United States reached an historic highpoint [1]and wine education and certification programs have become the new standard for the wholesale as well as supplier segments of the business. Many of the top wine companies such as E. & J. Gallo, Kendall Jackson, Foster’s, Constellation have developed full time education departments in order to remain competitive as well as have a firmer foundation for the global marketplace requirements. Wholesale distributors have recruited Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine to head their own education departments to further deepen the knowledge and reference of their staff.
Glancy will be supported by a team of wine industry professionals including Maureen Downey, DWS, CWE, FWS; Zach Pace DWS, CWE, FWS and Beth Kaiser, CS. The classes are currently being offered at the Oyster Point Embassy Suites in South San Francisco where this is ample parking and walk able access to BART. SFWS is seeking a future home of 10,000 square feet in either San Francisco proper or the northern Peninsula accessible by public transport as it evolves its scope which will include guest lecturers, events and an evolving program.
About David Glancy, MS, CWE, CSS, FWS
One of 112 professionals in North America and 180 worldwide who have earned the title of Master Sommelier, Glancy has held the MS degree since 2004. Over the last 5 years he has trained over 400 students at the Professional Culinary Institute, 90% of whom have earned the Certified Sommelier (CS) credential. He is a popular lecturer at the Society of Wine Educators conference as well as various cruise lines. His service videos online have a strong following as well.