Earn Your Advanced Sommelier Pin

Advanced Sommelier Certification

Advance beyond the Core Sommelier program with specialized, graduate-level wine study. Complete Levels One through Three, then choose any four approved Advanced courses to qualify for National Wine School’s Advanced Sommelier Certification. Each Advanced course is a 135-clock-hour, recorded, self-paced program and awards its own certification.

Core Sommelier + Four Advanced Courses = Advanced Sommelier Certification
765 total clock hours • Online • Self-paced • Choose any four Advanced programs

Choose an Advanced Course

The Advanced Sommelier Pathway

National Wine School’s Advanced Sommelier pathway is designed for students who have completed the foundational sommelier curriculum and want to develop deeper expertise through specialized wine study.

Level
One

Wine Certification

The key first step in wine credentials. This program is required for both the Core and Advanced programs.

Begin Level One

Level One Certification

45 Clock Hours

One Semester

Core
Sommelier

+ Sommelier Pin

Completing Level Two and Level Three certifications qualifies the student to earn their Core Sommelier Certification.

Begin the Core

Level Two Certification

Level Three Certification

180 Clock Hours

Two Semesters

Advanced Sommelier

+ Advanced Pin

Completing four Advanced programs qualifies the student to apply for Advanced Sommelier Certification.

Begin the Advanced

Level Four Certification

Four Advanced Courses

540 Clock Hours

Four Semesters

Choose Your Advanced Sommelier Courses

Complete any four of the following programs.

Master of French Wine Course

Undertake advanced study of France and its major wine regions, traditions, classifications, and styles.
135 clock hours

Italian Wine Specialist Course

Explore the major regions, grapes, appellations, and wine traditions of Italy at the Advanced level.
135 clock hours

Spanish Wine Specialist Course

Develop advanced knowledge of Spanish wine through focused study of its regions, grapes, traditions, and modern wine industry.
135 clock hours

Ancient Wine Scholar

Examine the historical foundations of wine and the cultures and developments that shaped wine before the modern era.
135 clock hours

Scholar of Modern Wine Course

Study the historical, technological, and commercial forces that shaped the modern world of wine.
135 clock hours

Master of Wine Terroir Course

Study terroir at an Advanced level and examine how geography, geology, climate, and viticulture influence wine.
135 clock hours

American Wine Specialist Course

Study the wines, regions, and development of the American wine industry through an Advanced-level program.
135 clock hours

COMING SOON

Germanic Wine Specialist Course

Develop Advanced-level expertise in the wines and wine regions of the Germanic wine world.
135 clock hours

COMING SOON

How Advanced Courses Work

Advanced Sommelier courses are recorded and self-paced, allowing students to complete the coursework online within the applicable course-access period.

Each Advanced course represents 135 clock hours of study and leads to its own individual certification.

Students are responsible for obtaining the wines required for tasting exercises. The specific wine requirements are provided within each program.

Build an Advanced Program Around Your Interests

Unlike a fixed Advanced curriculum, National Wine School allows students to choose the four areas of Advanced study most relevant to their professional goals and interests.

A student might concentrate heavily on major European wine regions, combine regional studies with wine history and terroir, or build a broader international program.

The requirement remains the same: complete any four approved Advanced courses after completing the Core Sommelier curriculum.

Continue to Advanced Sommelier Certification

Complete Core Sommelier, choose four Advanced programs, and build specialized expertise in the areas of wine study that matter most to you.

Eight programs to choose from • 135 hours each • Online and self-paced

Choose An Advanced
Wine Course

Advanced Sommelier FAQs

Do I need a Sommelier Pin before starting Advanced courses?

No. You must complete Levels One, Two, and Three. Purchasing or possessing the physical Sommelier Pin is not required.

How many Advanced courses do I need to complete?

Four approved Advanced courses.

Can I choose which Advanced courses I take?

Yes. Any four of the eight approved Advanced programs may be used toward Advanced Sommelier Certification.

How many clock hours is each Advanced course?

Each Advanced course represents 135 clock hours.

How many clock hours are required for Advanced Sommelier Certification?

The complete pathway represents 765 clock hours: 225 hours for Levels One through Three plus 540 hours for four Advanced courses.

Are Advanced courses online?

Yes. The Advanced programs are recorded, self-paced online courses.

Do Advanced courses award individual certifications?

Yes. Each Advanced program awards its own certification.

What do I earn after completing four Advanced courses?

Students who have completed Core Sommelier plus four approved Advanced programs may apply for Advanced Sommelier Certification.

Is there an application fee?

Yes. The Advanced Sommelier Certification application fee is $75.

Is there a separate fee for the Advanced Sommelier Pin?

No. There is no separate charge for the initial pin. Replacement pins may carry a fee.