WSET Courses

Did you know we offer professional wine certification courses in Norfolk? Crystal Palate is proud to serve as the Hampton Roads Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) satellite location for Vitis House Wine School in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Courses are led by Crystal Cameron-Schaad, a WSET Diploma graduate and certified WSET educator, bringing both expertise and a refined, approachable teaching style to every class.

We currently offer Levels 1, 2, and 3. Please note that all course registrations are completed directly through Vitis House.

What to Expect:

Taste a curated selection of wines you’ll actually want to drink (and can purchase after class!)

Get certified through one of the world’s most respected wine programs

Enjoy hands-on, interactive classes with zero snobbery—just good vibes and great wine

Learn from a certified WSET Diploma educator with real industry expertise

Connect with a community of wine lovers in a fun, relaxed environment

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines
Tuition: $415

A basic level introduction to wine. Great for wine lovers, wine collectors or for those who want to start a career in the wine business. You’ll explore the main grape varieties, wine regions and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, while also gaining the basic skills to describe wines accurately.

In this class, we taste 10-12 wines and learn about storage, service of wine and we also do an interesting food and wine pairing. Price includes study guide, tuition, materials, exam, certificate and pin (if you pass the examination).

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
Tuition: $895

Saturday & Sunday, August 29 & 30 | 9am-5pm

Join us for our WSET® Level 2 course. This is a beginner- to intermediate-level qualification. Great for wine enthusiasts seeking to deepen their knowledge or wine professionals.

Two full days of class, from 9:00am – 6:00pm. Test will be at the end of the class on day 2. For detailed information on this course please check course specification on the official WSET website.

You’ll gain knowledge of the principal and regionally important grape varieties of the world, the regions in which they are grown, and the styles of wine they produce. Through a combination of tasting and theory, you’ll explore the factors that impact style and quality and you’ll learn how to describe these wines with confidence. We also taste 20-25 wines during the course (2 days).

Price includes study guide, tuition, materials, exam, certificate and pin (if you pass the examination).

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines
Tuition: $1695

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is one of the most respected wine certifications in the industry. This advanced course will strengthen your tasting skills so you can confidently describe a wine’s style, origin, and quality – even when tasting it blind. You’ll explore the world’s major wine regions, key grape varieties, vineyard practices, and winemaking techniques, all of which will help you understand exactly why a particular wine tastes the way it does. We want you to succeed, which is why we host a complimentary online prep class before each Level 3 begins to help you feel confident from day one!