Vagabond Wine Academy
Your wine discovery starts here
Ready to start your journey from wine enthusiast to total wine pro? Welcome to Vagabond's Wine Academy, where we offer internationally recognized WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses. Whether you're a curious beginner or aspiring wine professional, join us as we do wine learning, the Vagabond way.
All Courses Include:
Expert tuition • WSET study materials • Exam fees • Vagabond Tasting Card • Access to 100+ wines by the glass
WSET Level 1
Course Overview
Your first step into the fascinating world of wine – where we turn curious sippers into confident explorers in just one day.
L1 (classroom format): £250
Course Highlights:
- • One-day intensive course
- • Taste 9 distinctive wines
- • Master wine tasting fundamentals
- • Earn WSET Level 1 certification
WSET Level 2
Course overview
Four half-days of wine exploration that'll fine-tune your professional tasting skills. Perfect for those ready to take their wine knowledge to the next level.
L2 (classroom format): £600
Course Highlights:
- • Wine trends, production methods and more
- • Taste 44 distinctive wines
- • Deep dive into wine regions
- • Earn WSET Level 2 certification
Meet our educators
Ben Gubbins
DipWSET, Head of Wine Academy
A cycling accident sparked Ben’s winding journey into wine. Leaving his native Chile and a career teaching music—enough to turn anyone to wine!—he joined a UK wine retailer in 2002 and never looked back. More cycling took him to the Rhône Valley, a mad poet led him to pick grapes in Burgundy, and his love for wine flourished.
Ben has worked as a buyer, export manager, and in hospitality management. A Decanter World Wine Awards judge for Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, he also sits on tasting panels for the magazine. After earning his WSET Diploma in 2010, he joined Vagabond in 2013 and became a certified WSET Educator in 2018, sharing his passion for wine ever since.
In his words: “Many see wine as a status symbol—I see it as a social conduit and a life enhancer. The language of wine tasting, like any other, seems incomprehensible until you learn it.”
All participants must be 18+, and full payment is required at booking. Cancellations, transfers, and exam changes are possible with at least 12 working days' notice (fees may apply). For full T&Cs, please see the T&Cs tab on the specific event dates as listed here.
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