As school bells chime throughout the Bay Area, signaling the start of another academic year, the San Francisco Wine School is gearing up for a different kind of education.

Embrace the beginning of a new journey at SF Wine School, where they're uncorking a world of opportunities for wine enthusiasts.

(Courtesy of San Francisco Wine School)

From those venturing into wine with friends to seasoned professionals aiming to elevate their careers, students can explore captivating workshops like Intro to California Wine, a delicious road trip through our state's unique AVAs; pursue advanced credentials such as the French Wine Scholar Program, a formal certification for wine professionals and enthusiasts; and master service and sales techniques for restaurant, hotel, and winery teams. The curriculum spans nearly every wine region, varietal, and style—the only thing conspicuously absent here is stuffiness.

Atop the historic Fraternal Hall in South San Francisco, SF Wine School occupies a sun-kissed top floor with 12-foot tall arched windows framing 180-degree views of the San Bruno Mountains, City Hall, and SF Bay.

The space also transforms into a stunning event center for public and private gatherings such as intimate seated tastings, dynamic walk-around experiences, team-building retreats that ignite creativity, and private dining affairs with sumptuous menus expertly paired by founder and Master Sommelier David Glancy. (Yes, even holiday parties!)

Can't swing by this charming school in person but still thirsting for knowledge? (You see what we did there.) No worries! Dive into a world of wine knowledge from wherever you are through live, interactive classes via Zoom. You'll get custom tasting kits delivered to your doorstep, complete with two ounce samples of the wines. Just log in and uncork the wisdom of the wine world from literally anywhere on the planet. Plus, every session is recorded, ensuring you never miss a sip of wine education.

All the instructors are highly credentialed and engaging, and founder David Glancy is a highlight as one of only 12 people in the world to achieve both Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator status. His pedigree would afford him a wine elitist air, but his teaching style is educational and informative, peppered with witty humor and an approachable style. With his team of industry-leading educators, they offer more than 100 unique classes and 25 credential programs.

(Courtesy of San Francisco Wine School)

Notable upcoming class offerings for beginning students include Wine 101 (September 23rd), which kicks off the eight-week Intro to Wine Series. Those interested in other libatious pursuits may be interested in the Beer & Sake class (September 12th). Those ready to dive deeper can check out the special Edu-tasting event, California’s New AVAs & Wine Trends (September 20th), to celebrate California Wine Month or delve into a Pinot Noirs of the World Blind Tasting Workshop (September 28th). If you want to transition into a career in the wine industry or upgrade your hospitality resume, check out Somm Essentials (October 3rd).

The passion that drives Glancy and the SF Wine School team is the desire to share the transformative power of high-quality, agnostic education for wine enthusiasts and professionals. With knowledge and understanding of their personal palate, enthusiasts can confidently select wines for enjoyment from often intimidating wine lists or the aisles of their local shop and communicate more effectively with wine professionals who can help them discover new and exciting wines and places to explore.

For dedicated professionals, this is the key to unlocking a world of opportunities, where skills open doors to better careers and enhance the consumer experience, often resulting in increased earnings, both for their businesses and themselves. But here's the bitter truth: In an industry known for its passion, most wine and hospitality professionals earn far less than their counterparts in other fields, often struggling to afford the education that could take them to the top.

Since 2020, the SF Wine School has joined forces with the Glancy Wine Education Foundation to champion dreams. They offer scholarships that cover a whopping 60 to 100 percent of educational costs to those earning under 150 percent of their area's living wage. It's the school's way of lighting the path for those eager to kickstart or supercharge their careers in this vibrant industry.

Mark your calendars for the SF Wine School's upcoming Anniversary Celebration & Scholarship Auction on November 11th. Get ready for a dazzling evening including the 12th Annual Sommelier Olympics, a Global Wine and Food Pairing Reception, and a Silent Auction that boasts exclusive wines and experiences found nowhere else. Best of all, your participation directly supports the Glancy Wine Education Foundation, fueling educational opportunities for low-income and minority students who aspire to thrive in the world of wine.

// For more information on San Francisco Wine School and its offerings, visit sfwineschool.com