The Wine Academy was formed 12 years ago, Since then it has grown in size and reputation by word of mouth and personal recommendation, and is now one of the biggest wine education companies in the country, and recognised as the best – being awarded the Wine Educator of 2011 by the Wine and Sprit Education Trust.
In 2011 more students sucessfully completed studies at our wine school than at any other Wines & Spirit training provider in the North of England.
2008 saw the company expand out of it’s Yorkshire heartland to open a satellite wine school in Bordeaux, again driven by a request from a French Agricultural College for Karen Hardwick, Director, to teach their mainly French and Chinese winemaking students about New World wines.
September 2011 saw the fifth trip of The Wine Academy students back to France – hosting a winemaking course in Provence for budding wine enthusiasts from the North of England.
Our small, teaching team are all ‘WSET Certified Educators’ i.e. the highest level of wine educator approved by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and all have extensive experience in the wine and spirits industry as well as an infectious enthusiasm for their subject.
Karen is currently studying for her Master of Wine Qualification , has been appointed a International Wine and Spirits Challenge Judge in 2012 and is a member of the WSET development committee – setting relevant course syllabus to reflect current market trends.
You can enjoy The Wine Academy experience on a formal WSET exam course where you work towards a wine and spirits qualification, on an informal food and wine event on the 3rd Thursday at Melton’s Too in York, the First Friday at Chapters Hotel in Stokesley and Third Friday at Harvey Nichols in Leeds, or a private event for your group or company. We have also launched a very popular Saturday Wine Academy in Leeds and will be playing a central role at the annual York Festival of Food and Drink in September..