february 12, 2013

Join the Society of Wine Educators at the Boston Wine Expo, February 16-17, at the Seaport World Trade Center. The event features over 200 wineries from over 15 countries plus restaurant sampling, lifestyle and food exhibits and much more.

Save $10 off the price of a regular Saturday or Sunday Grand Tasting ticket by using promo code SOCIETY when purchasing your tickets online at www.WineExpoBoston.com

January 8, 2013

There is a special tasting open to members of the Society of Wine Educators.  On Thursday, February 7, 2013, the Consorzio del vino Nobile di Montepulciano is hosting a tasting from 4:30pm - 7:00pm at The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave - Boston, MA 02116.  The tasting features the area's top wineries as well as local dishes featuring speciality products from the terrirtory. 

Space is limited and those interested should please contact Stacey Orozco ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), with Balzac Communications, in order to properly RSVP. 

November 27, 2012

The Society of Wine Educators would like to congratulate this year's successful Certified Wine Educator (CWE) candidates!   The CWE exam is one of the most prestigious wine certifications and most difficult to achieve.  To date, 350 individuals, worldwide, have successfully achieved the CWE certification.  Candidates are tested on theory including viticulture, chemistry, and must also complete two blind tastings on components and varietals, an essay, and a presentation.  Successful Certified Wine Educators demonstrate not only a masterful breadth of knowledge, but also possess the ability to teach and disseminate that information.

This year's successful candidates are:  Stephen Ghiglieri(independent Wine Educator), Dan Heberer (Southern Wine & Spirits), Mabel Lai, Sarah Malik (Johnson & Wales University), "Miss Jane" Nickles (Art Institute of Austin), Mark Rashap (Spec's Wine and Liquor), Benjamin Roberts, Carrie Stebbins (Johnson & Wales University), and Brian Xu Zhang (Total Wine).   SWE President Ira Norof, CWE, celebrates this group on their achievement: “I congratulate these nine individuals on their certification, which shows their dedication, time, and passion for wine education.” 

November 16, 2012

Our most recent issue of The Smart Sip, SWE's newsletter, has just been published and members can expect to receive it in the mail soon.  You may also download an electronic, PDF copy.  Please click here to download.

November 8, 2012

In observance of Veteran's Day, the Society of Wine Educators' office will be closed on Monday, November 12th, 2012.  We will reopen with normal hours on Tuesday, November, 13th.

November 1, 2012

The SWE is now accepting session proposals for our 37th Annual Conference taking place next summer in Orlando, FL.  If you have a great idea for a wine or spirits educational seminar, please visit the following page for instructions on how to submit your ideas for consideration.  Conference Proposals.

October 26, 2012

The SWE Team will be in Phoenix this weekend, presenting "Wines in the Desert" on Monday October, 29th.  This special event is a half-day of wine education seminars, focusing on Italy, Burgundy, and marketing.  The event will kick off with a welcome lunch before the sessions begin.  This is a free and exclusive event, open to all current members of the SWE.  For more information, please visit our Events page.

October 16, 2012

Last month, the Society of Wine Educators' Board of Directors unaimously agreed to appoint Sharron McCarthy, CSW as Director Emeritus.  Ms. McCarthy had numerous achievements during her three year tenure as President of the SWE.  She began development of SWE's newest program, the Hospitality/Beverage Specialist Certificate, oversaw a large growth of our main wine certification (CSW), and initiated the major re-design and re-write of the Certified Specialist of Spirits Study Guide.

Before becoming President, Ms. McCarthy served as both Secretary and Treasurer, and later Vice President.  She has been a continuing supporter of the SWE and its missions, and remains one of its most popular speakers at conference.  Ms. McCarthy is currently the Vice President of Wine Education with Banfi Vintners.

October 11, 2012

Start 2013 off with a bang and join SWE Board Member Paul Wagner on a two week wine cruise traveling around Cape Horn.  Joining Paul will be Randle Johnson, winemaker for The Hess Collection Winery.  With several educational seminars and amazing wine dinners, this would be a great way to experience summer in January.  For more information, please visit the Napa Rocks Around the Horn webpage.

October 8, 2012

On October, 11th, there will be a Piedmont seminar and tasting in Las Vegas, NV.  This event is open to all current members of the SWE and will occur from 1pm to 3pm at Ferraro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar - 4480 Paradise Rd. Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89169.  Led by Geralyn Brostrom, CWE, there will be a guided tasting of several D.O.C.G.s including Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera D'Asti.  For more information or to RSVP please contact Jessica Celona: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - 305-937-2488 - www.ieemusa.com