Raise a glass to National Prosecco Week with a fun, bubbly celebration of Italy’s most beloved sparkler. Explore the refreshing styles, regional nuances, and winemaking traditions that make Prosecco a global favorite. Perfect for sparkling wine lovers and festive sippers alike. This class includes a tasting of six Proseccos.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

Discover the radiant charm of three sun-loving white Rhône varietals in this golden-hour-inspired tasting. Explore the floral, rich, and textured profiles of Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, and learn how they shine solo or in blends. A perfect class for fans of full-bodied whites with character. This class includes a tasting of six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $40 club member

Uncover the bold rivalry between two of Spain’s most iconic wine regions in Ribera del Duero vs Rioja: Tempranillo Titans. This tasting class explores how climate, aging, and tradition shape the distinct styles of Tempranillo from these neighboring regions. From Rioja’s elegance and oak influence to Ribera’s power and depth, you’ll learn what sets them apart—and which reigns supreme on your palate. This class includes a tasting of six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $40 per person | $35 club member

Dive into the heart of California wine country with California Showdown: Napa Valley vs Sonoma. This engaging class pits two legendary regions against each other, exploring the bold, structured wines of Napa and the elegant, expressive styles of Sonoma. Learn how climate, terroir, and winemaking traditions shape their unique profiles—and decide which region captures your palate. This class includes a tasting of six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

The world of wine is diverse and delightful and sparkling wines certainly add a dash of pizzazz to your glass. From luxurious Champagne to casual sippers like Prosecco, let's embark on a journey to explore this effervescent world of bubbles. Expand your breadth of bubbles into the world of Spanish Cava, French Crémant, Austrian Sekt and beyond. Tasting of six (6) sparkling wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

Saint-Emilion and Pomerol are the two great names associated with the Right Bank. Saint-Emilion itself is the driving force in terms of volume and accounts for some 40 percent of all wines produced on the Right Bank. Pomerol, in contrast, is smaller in size and producing impressive opulent wines, full of dark and spicy fruit, generally supple and more approachable than many of the other top wines in Bordeaux. Tasting includes six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $50 per person | $45 club member

As it is frequently noted, Italians have a firm sense of identity that is rooted in their home province, and wine — often made with indigenous grapes that express a local character. Let us share these wines with you revealing the complexity of Italy's history and love of wine. Tasting includes 6 wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 per club member

Mendoza is a large province (nearly the size of Illinois) located in central-western Argentina. The massive Andes Mountains create a dramatic skyline in the west and also play an important role in Mendoza's wines.

The Andes act as a rain shadow, stopping wet Pacific Ocean weather from the Argentine highlands. It makes Argentina one of the sunniest and driest wine-growing regions with less than 9 inches of rain per year. (As dry as the Gobi Desert!)

Fortunately, ample snowmelt from the Andes irrigates the vineyards, making it possible to produce wine. Explore specific regions in Mendoza including Maipú Luján de Cuyo, Uco Valley and San Rafael. Tasting of six wines.

Click Here for Reserve: $35 per person | $30 per club member

Cava, Champagne and Prosecco are three names that are widely known internationally, especially when we talk about parties and celebrations, and also about the history and culture of wine. Today we propose a bubbly journey to find out the similarities and differences between these sparkling wines, and to understand and appreciate their unique characteristics. Tasting of six (6) sparkling wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

Pinot Noir is a versatile grape grown all over the world. It is a fun varietal to explore because it is so influenced by the terroir or rather the dirt and the micro-climate of the vineyard. Explore a tasting of 6 Pinot Noirs from around the world.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

If there is French wine that everyone deserves to taste, it’s probably Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It’s like the gateway drug to French wine. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a French wine appellation known for its bold Grenache-based red blends. Officially, the region makes both red and white wines with up to 13 different grapes. (Unofficially, there are 20 varieties used in the region!). Let’s dig into the details of this historic wine and find out why Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the Southern Rhône’s most exclusive appellation. Tasting includes six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 club member

A perfect tasting to get you started in the world of wine. A fun approachable introduction to topics like how to properly taste & assess wine, introduction to six noble grape varietals along with an overview of wine regions around the world. Course includes a tasting of six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $30 per person | $25 club member

Join us for an adventurous, fun, interactive evening of wine trivia and tastings. For wine lovers and connoisseurs alike, come test your wine knowledge and palate for a fun tasting challenge! Tasting of six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $40 per person | $35 club member

There is a Spanish wine for every drinker. From the rolling hills of Rioja up to the high plains of Ribera del Duero, down to the coastal estuaries of Rías Baixas in Galicia, the Basque Country, the island of Mallorca and beyond, Spain offers something for every palate. Tasting includes six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

California may be the most famous wine-growing state in the USA, but the entire West Coast produces wines of world-class quality. We would like to introduce you to the styles of the Pacific Northwest — specifically, Oregon and Washington. Tasting includes six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

Bought to you by Capital Wine School of Washington DC
$395 – 6 hours of guided in-person learning including the exam
Click Here to Register (note you will be take to the Capital Wine School website for registration)

This in-person course includes all WSET study materials, wine tasting samples, a class session guided by a CWS instructor, the examination at the end of the class, and a digital certificate and badge for those who pass the exam.

This one day course meets in person at Echelon Wine Bar in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Students will receive a printed study guide when they arrive for class, as no advanced reading is required – all of the information needed to pass the exam will be taught by the instructor during the class session. Students who would prefer to read the material in advance of the course may request an eBook version of the study guide for $25.00 by emailing info@capitalwineschool.com. Please note that it can take several days to process a request for an eBook.

Approximate Schedule

9:00am: Class begins
12:00pm: Short break for lunch*
12:30pm: Class resumes
3:00pm: Examination

*Lunch is not included in the registration fee. Students may bring their own lunch or visit one of the local eateries. 

6 Guided Learning Hours, including 45 minutes for the examination

This class covers the main types of wine, the most common grape varieties, wine service, storing and serving wine, tasting technique, how to describe the smell and taste of wine, and the basics of pairing food and wine. During the class, students taste eight different wines. Those who pass the exam receive the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines.

EXAM INFORMATION

The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions which students have 45 minutes to complete.

Rescheduling of exams: Students who are unable to attend the scheduled exam may request to defer to one of our other scheduled exams. Please review the following document for deadlines and fees associated with reschedule requests. Students will also receive an email reminder approximately one week before the rescheduling deadline: WSET Exams Rescheduling Deadlines & Fees

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

You may review the school’s cancellation/rescheduling policy here.

We recommend reviewing the specification for the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines in advance of your course; you may click here to download a PDF copy of the WSET Level 1 Wine specification.

To ensure a quality experience for all participants, each class or course requires a minimum number of registrations. If this minimum is not met, we may need to cancel the session. In such cases, registered students will be notified as soon as possible and provided with options for rescheduling or a full refund.

By purchasing your ticket(s), you agree to our payment, refund, cancellation, and reschedule policy.

Champagne is the most famous region in the world known for its magical bubbles. Champagne, like all wines, is an experience for all of the senses – color, aroma, texture, flavor and in this case sound too. Learning to recognize and define the distinctions in Champagne is what makes tasting Champagne especially fascinating. Tasting of six Champagnes from France.

Click Here to Reserve - $45 per person | $40 club member

Join us for our monthly Sip & Savor Social. Enjoy a tasting of 10 wines for $10. Chef will have a special brunch menu to order from to enjoy. Make a reservation for 11am, 12pm or 1pm and stop anytime during your time slot to taste the 10 wines hand selected by our Wine Director. Interested in enjoying the special brunch menu please be sure to make a separate reservation for a table during this time.

Please note: This is a walk around tasting. Wines will be available for purchase and by-the-glass at special pricing for this event only. Please make a separate reservation if you would like to dine with us at a table. Seating is limited. Bar seating is available on first-come first-serve basis.

Click Here to Reserve for the Tasting

Rosés are a growing trend and there are all types of rosé from around the world and three main ways to produce this wine: direct press, blush blend and saignée. Join us as we taste through some great rosé wines and explore pink wines. Tasting includes six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $30 per person | $25 club member

In a Parisian hotel 46 years ago, some of France's biggest wine experts came together for a blind tasting.

The finest French wines were up against upstarts from California. France made the world's best wines and Napa Valley was not yet on the map -- so the result was believed to be obvious. Instead, the greatest underdog tale in wine history was about to unfold.

Taste through some of these legendary wines and learn more about this amazing story!

Click Here to Reserve - $50 per person | $45 club member

The Southern Hemisphere offers some of the most delicious and affordable wines in the world. With its range of grapes and climates, the variety of wines produced south of the Equator is unparalleled. Taste wines from Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa & Uruguay. Tasting includes six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

Join us for our monthly Sip & Savor Social. Enjoy a tasting of 10 wines for $10. Chef will have a special brunch menu to order from to enjoy. Make a reservation for 11am, 12pm or 1pm and stop anytime during your time slot to taste the 10 wines hand selected by our Wine Director. Interested in enjoying the special brunch menu please be sure to make a separate reservation for a table during this time.

Please note: This is a walk around tasting. Wines will be available for purchase and by-the-glass at special pricing for this event only. Please make a separate reservation if you would like to dine with us at a table. Seating is limited. Bar seating is available on first-come first-serve basis.

Click Here to Reserve for the Tasting | $10 Per Person

Valentine’s Day is a moment to celebrate love and to show your appreciation for that special someone in your life. Celebrating Valentine’s Day with your partner or with friends? Wine is your perfect beverage of choice. Come enjoy wines perfect for this holiday from crisp whites, to beautiful rosés and juicy reds. Tasting includes 6 wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

Bordeaux, France is world-renowned for its wines and its signature style. Join us as we taste through some left & right bank Bordeaux wines from famous regions like Saint Émilion, Pomerol & Margaux. Learn how to interpret the labels and decipher the regions & more!

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

When you think of Italian wines, what probably comes to mind is what I'll call the Big B's; Brunello, Barolo, and Barbaresco and maybe Chianti We would like to take you off the beaten path to discover some lesser-known wines which may not have the ratings but will surely provide the enjoyment. Tasting includes 6 wines.

Click Here to Register - $35 per person | $30 club member

What does color mean when it comes to a red wine? Light-bodied, full-bodied, varietal, young wine or old wine? Color can tell us a lot about a wine before we even smell or taste it. Join us as we explore the many shades of red wine. Tasting includes 6 wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

In 1973, with the introduction of the wine of origin system, South Africa was divided into a series of official regions, districts, wards and estates. South Africa's vineyards are mostly situated in the Western Cape, however even here there are considerable differences in climate between these regions, which determine the viticultural practices and wines styles of each region. Tasting of (6) six wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

The 600-mile stretch of the Loire River valley and its tributaries make up one of France’s top wine regions. Get to know the wines from famous regions of Sancerre, Vouvray, Touraine, Pouilly-Fumé, Chinon, Muscadet in the Loire Valley . Tasting of six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

The Sangiovese grape has been a part of Italian culture for thousands of years and is grown all over Italy. While it may not be as globally popular as some other Italian wines, such as Prosecco, if you get the chance, you’ve got to try it. Famous regions like Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano thrive on this grape variety. Tasting includes six (6) wines.

Click Here to Reserve - $35 per person | $30 club member

Rioja is as age-worthy as the wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, yet it flies under the radar compared to its more well-known peers. This means that a stellar bottle of age-worthy Rioja can be procured for far less than a similarly rated bottle of Bordeaux or Burgundy. Rioja wine takes its name, like many other wines made in the Old World, from the Rioja region where it is produced.

Click Here to Reserve - $40 per person | $35 club member