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The Perfect Gift for Every Wine Lover Are you hunting for a thoughtful, unique holiday gift that will impress and delight any wine lover on your list? We've got you! Whether your loved one is a seasoned wine enthusiast or a complete beginner, our class gift certificates will offer them an unforgettable journey into the world of wine. Yes, the Capital Wine School is based in Washington, DC, but many [...]

Wine education can be a fascinating and rewarding journey for both serious connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike. The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) classes offered by Capital Wine School are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to deepen your appreciation and understanding of fine wine. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your [...]

In today's fast-paced world, finding hobbies that allow us to relax and enjoy life outside of work is crucial. Many hobbies can turn into jobs, but learning about wine is a unique activity that offers relaxation and enjoyment without the pressure of making it a career. Wine classes provide a perfect opportunity to explore a new hobby, meet like-minded individuals, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of wine. The [...]

The holidays are just around the corner, and with that comes holiday parties and end of the year parties to celebrate a job well done. It’s a great time of year to build morale and camaraderie in the office, especially as final deadlines are due and stress levels are high with holiday plans. If you’ve been looking for something fun and unique to do with your employees and fellow coworkers [...]

It’s that time of year again. The leaves begin changing, the temperature starts to drop, and we begin preparing for the holiday season and all the fun that goes with it. Sweaters, pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, homemade cookies, gift shopping, Santa visits, and so much more will be on the list of must-dos this holiday season, and while it can be the most wonderful time of the year, it can [...]

Beginner wine classes have so many benefits and are a great introduction into the fascinating world of fine wine. There are so many reasons we believe everyone should take a beginner wine class, even if you don’t plan to make a career in the wine industry, so we’re going to share a few of those reasons here today. To increase your general knowledge of fine wines There are so many [...]

While we believe everyone can find something useful and fun from our wine classes here at Capital Wine School, we know many people are considering our wine classes for more than just a fun experience with friends. If you are considering furthering your career with our advanced wine classes, there are several things to consider before starting this journey, so we have shared a few of these below. How To [...]

While Washington DC may be known for its rich history, there are so many things to do and see beyond visiting the museums and historical sites. Some of our favorite things to do in Washington DC include festivals, monuments, walking tours, and wine tastings. With such a wide variety of things to do, we’re sure you’ll find plenty of things that spark your interest and that will help you make [...]

If you are looking to become a sommelier, you’re probably planning to be a great one (we hope). Sommeliers spend years learning, educating, growing, and testing to not just become a certified sommelier professionally but to also know everything they can be about the world of wine. Sommeliers generally want to help people experience wine properly with the right pairings, teach people about wine and truly experience wine in a [...]

When we think of learning and school, we often think of sitting at a desk, exhausted, listening to someone teach about something we have no interest in learning. But not all learning has to be boring and tiring. If you love to learn about new subjects and also love wine, we have the perfect pairing for you! A wine tasting right in your living room (or kitchen or back patio, [...]

Whether you are more of a traditional gift giver for Valentine’s Day with the flowers, chocolate heart candies, and a card or you prefer more unique gifts such as balloon bouquets and customized pop up cards, we can all agree on one thing: we want Valentine’s Day to be special and make our partner feel loved. That is why coming up with unique and romantic ideas can be difficult when [...]

When it comes to wine, everyone has their own preference and flavors they enjoy on a regular basis. It can take time to find the right wine for your relaxing nightly glass with friends, but once you do, it will forever be your go-to when you need to wind down and relax. But what about those other times you want to try something new? Or you aren’t sure what wine [...]

There are many people who have looked into taking WSET wine classes in the past, but few understand what the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) classes entail or mean for their careers and personal network as a whole. The WSET is not a walk in the park, and the classes and testing can be difficult; however, it is all worth it if you are looking to further your career [...]

Still looking for the perfect gift for your significant other, family member or friends? Or are you looking for a fun office party idea to thank your employees for a great year? Do you have a group getting together to celebrate a big milestone? Then we have the perfect idea for you: a private wine tasting. Whether you are looking to celebrate a birthday or holiday, have an office party [...]

Are you tired of the same old routine for date night? The endless cycle of going to restaurants can get monotonous, so it's essential to think outside the box and explore new, exciting activities together. A perfect way to break the routine is by indulging in the unique experience of a wine tasting. Whether it's a private wine tasting or one of our engaging wine tasting classes, each event is [...]

The Wine Scholar Guild is an international provider of study and certification programs. Their mission is to provide outstanding educational programming for the professional development of wine industry members and committed students of wine. Whether you’re a wine industry professional or or serious wine hobbyist, the Wine Scholar Guild can offer in-depth, current wine knowledge and insider insights through their programs. The program includes instruction through print, webinars, study trips, [...]

Whether you loved school or hated school when you were younger, we can all agree that school was a lot of hard work that took time, blood, sweat, and tears. From group projects to essays to tests to reports, there was a lot of preparation and work involved to get good grades and pass the classes for that year, all so you could do it again the next year. Some [...]

Virtual wine tastings can be extremely fun, memorable experiences with friends and family from the comfort of your own home. They are wonderful ways to bring you closer and make memories “together” even though you could be hundreds or thousands of miles apart. Here at Capital Wine School, we often get lots of questions about virtual wine tastings and what they entail and include, so we are going to answer [...]

When it comes to fine wines, there are so many questions many people have regarding the best flavors, the best brands, the best combinations, the best regions and seasons, and so much more. But every person is different when it comes to taste as well as best learning practices. Thankfully, there are so many different ways to learn about wine so you can work it around your own schedule while [...]

This year more than ever, we’re all eager to spend time with family and friends any way we can. For most of us, this will be through packages in the mail, cards, social media, phone time, and online. So how can you make this holiday season a little more festive with loved ones while at home? How about an online wine tasting! It’s a fun way to try new wines [...]

It’s no secret 2020 has brought a whole slew of changes to so many people’s everyday lives. From going grocery shopping to virtual learning to spending time with family and friends via FaceTime, social media, and Zoom, 2020 has created a whole new world of changes in every area of our lives. One thing that hasn’t changed though is the very necessary need for a large glass of fine wine [...]

Most of us have been home more this year than we ever have before in our lives. From binge watching our favorite TV shows to organizing everything in the house to cooking big meals just because we can, there are a lot of things we have done or can do during this time. But at some point, you have watched all the shows, there is nothing left to organize, and [...]

The WSET is an internationally recognized wine and spirit education program offering courses and certifications ranging from beginner to expert. Whether you are looking to get the WSET diploma for work in the wine and spirit trade or just want to expand your knowledge of the tastes and regions of fine wine, WSET courses are a great way to do both in a fun, educational setting. But what does each [...]

We all need a reason to smile, laugh, spend time with friends and family, make memories, and just relax. The everyday chores of life so often get in the way of having fun and spending time with those we care about. Hosting an online private wine event could be the perfect answer to bringing family and friends together during this time and sharing in something fun, educational, and memorable. [...]

Most people have a general understanding or base knowledge of wine, but we often find ourselves wanting to know more about the wine we drink or just wanting to build our general knowledge of wine. This can be for many different reasons. For some, it’s wanting to know more about the culture of each country that the wine is from. For others, it’s wanting to build their general wine [...]

In today’s day and age, we have unlimited access to learn about any subject matter we want with access to the internet. From dance classes to drawing classes to cooking classes to wine classes, we have the ability to learn about anything and everything at the touch of a button. However, often you hear about a friend or family member who spent the money and took an online class [...]

Do you have a love for wine and its intriguing history? Have you ever sat in a classroom and thought to yourself, “This class would be way better with a glass of wine in my hand?” If that is you, we have some classes that you just might love. Here at Capital Wine School, it is our goal to make learning fun, and part of that process is learning and [...]

Becoming a Master of Wine By: Matt Brown The Masters of Wine are often said to hold the most respected title in the world of wine. Their unparalleled depth and breadth of knowledge, their dedication to the support of the industry, and their high standards of professionalism have placed them in a league of their own. With so much to admire, it is no wonder that hundreds of students apply [...]

My Experience at Belle Pente Winery By: Matt Perrella I worked my first wine harvest in 2014. The winery was Belle Pente in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Being in Willamette Valley, the primary focus was on Pinot Noir, but smaller quantities of Chardonnay, Riesling, Gamay and Muscat were also made. I can truly say it was a gratifying experience. You can learn the steps of winemaking from books but getting a [...]

The New Masters of Wine (MWs): By: Caroline Hermann On November 6, 2018, the UK-based Institute of Masters of Wine officially welcomed 14 new Masters of Wine (MW) to its membership, of which I was one. Candidates must pass: -      a four-day theory exam requiring critical analysis of all aspects of viticulture, vinification, the business of wine, and contemporary issues; -      a three-day, 36-wine blind tasting analysis, testing the ability to “taste like a detective [...]

My name is Kasia Tomecka and I have been in the Food and Beverage industry for 18 years. I’ve been really lucky to have had many great wine jobs, but my favorite one is my current position that I’ve had for about 4 years as an Educator at the Capital Wine School in DC. I have my Diploma in Wine Studies and am a WSET Certified Educator. I was recently [...]