Certificate in Professional Wine Knowledge, Level 5
Hospo, Food & Tourism
A course by
New Zealand School of Food & Wine
Gain NZQA Level 5 and internationally recognised WSET qualifications in wine in this intensive programme—including extensive tastings, customer service, sommelier skills, New Zealand and international wine knowledge.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
New Zealand School of Food & Wine, Auckland
It will take a total of 16 weeks


Coming Soon: Nexties Explorer
Our AI-powered Explorer is almost ready. Soon, you’ll be able to build a dynamic profile of your skills, goals, and strengths, and get a curated selection of courses just for you.
More detailsUnlock these abilities

Develop advanced wine knowledge and palate
Build a strong theoretical and practical foundation in international and New Zealand wines, spirits, and beverage styles through extensive tastings and coursework.

Apply knowledge in customer service and sales
Demonstrate communication, customer service, bartending, and sommelier skills essential for roles in hospitality and wine sectors.

Understand global wine business and markets
Analyze industry structure, food and wine tourism, wine business success factors, and influential producers impacting the global and local market.
What You're Signing Up For
This comprehensive Level 5 certificate combines the WSET® Level 2 and 3 Awards in Wine into a single NZQA-accredited qualification. Students learn both practical and theoretical aspects of wine, spirits, beverage service, and sales. The course is designed for current or aspiring hospitality professionals and wine enthusiasts, offering extensive tasting opportunities, customer service, sommelier, and bartending skills. Graduates will be prepared to work across wine, retail, hospitality, hotel, and tourism sectors, and gain a Licence Controller qualification. The course also forms a pathway to the Diploma in Professional Wine Knowledge (Sommelier), Level 6.
Course Content
- The business of Hospitality, Hotels, Wineries and Food and Wine Tourism
- New Zealand wine styles, regions, innovation and influential producers
- Customer service, sales, bartending and sommelier skills
- Food and wine pairing workshop
- Wine tasting events
- International wine styles, grape varieties, wine production and regions
- Viticulture and wine-making process for various wine types
- Spirits, liqueurs, fortified wines, cocktails & bartending practices
- Setting up a bar and making classic and premium cocktails
- Optional: French Wine Scholar exam (additional fee)
- Includes WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
- Includes WSET Level 3 Award in Wines
- Includes WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits
- Certificate in New Zealand Wine Micro-Credential

What sort of industry will this job lead to
Wine
Hospitality
Tourism
Retail
Beverage

Future employment opportunities might be
Wine and spirit professional
Sommelier sales representative
Wine retail staff
Winery staff
Wine company roles
Resort, lodge and cruise liner staff
Bartender


Coming Soon: Nexties Explorer
Our AI-powered Explorer is almost ready. Soon, you’ll be able to build a dynamic profile of your skills, goals, and strengths, and get a curated selection of courses just for you.
More details