Digital learning
Forty hours in total, structured through a digital workbook, videos and illustrations that learners can return to as they build confidence.
Henley Wine Education
Wine Foundations.
Learn with intention.
A detailed, engaging and entertaining wine education programme for a strong foundational and professional wine-industry knowledge base—designed for learners who may later choose to pursue WSET qualifications.
- Course fee
- $250
- Study time
- 40 hours total
- Delivery
- Digital & live video
01 / The pathwayFoundation · practice · perspective
Built for curious learners
A foundation you can use.
Wine is best understood through more than a list of regions or a tasting note. Henley Wine Foundations connects what is in the glass to grape, place, winemaking, food, service and the people around the table.
The 40-hour pathway combines a digital workbook with accompanying videos and illustrations. It is designed to make foundational wine knowledge practical, memorable and enjoyable, whether a learner is beginning a wine journey or strengthening professional hospitality confidence.
Two live hours
Two live video learning hours with Henley, our CEO, are included in the 40-hour total. One of those two hours is a live practical wine-tasting session—not an additional hour.
Guidance that continues
Henley will guide learners throughout the course and remains available for bespoke one-to-one private video tuition to reinforce the narrative. Ask us for scheduling and any additional tuition terms.
The programme
Forty hours of discovery.
Below is a structured taster of the named subjects covered in the course, alongside the workbook, videos, illustrations and the wider Henley learning experience.
01Tasting, assessment & practiceHow to observe, describe and assess what is in the glass
- Taste and Wine Assessment
- Methodical Structure to Wine Tasting
- One live practical wine-tasting hour with Henley, included within the two live video learning hours
- Mock Examination
02Wine, food & serviceKnowledge that belongs at the table and in hospitality
- Wine & Food
- What influences Wine quality/style and price point
- Dissecting the Label
- Basic Sommelier Table Service and Wine Storage
03Core grapes & winesRecognising the varieties that shape classic wine conversations
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Syrah and Grenache
- Riesling
- More White Grapes & White Wines
- More Red Grapes and Red Wines
04Styles beyond still wineBroader contexts for celebration, sweetness and fortified wines
- Sparkling Style Wines
- Port and Sherry
- Dessert and Sweet Wines
05Spirits & distillationA considered introduction to spirit styles
- Discerning Spirits
- Understanding Distillation
- Analysis of Spirit Stylings
Completion & recognition
Clear milestones.
Careful language.
A Henley completion certificate recognises completion of this Henley programme. It is valuable as a record of the pathway undertaken, while remaining clear about what it is—and is not.
Exam timing
The completion examination is scheduled exactly two calendar months after the course purchase date.
Assessment
The examination consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. The pass mark is 80%.
Distinction
A Certificate with Distinction is awarded only for a score strictly greater than 90%.
A defined preparation guarantee
Confidence, with specific conditions.
Henley is confident in the preparation offered, but this is not an unconditional refund promise. The guarantee applies only to the precise pathway below.
Complete Henley
The learner must complete the Henley Wine Foundations course and training.
Choose a provider route
The learner then elects to take a provider’s Level 3 entry test or entry route while seeking to skip WSET Level 2.
Identify the cause
Failure must specifically be due to facts or information omitted from Henley’s course and training.
Henley fee refunded
Where the stated conditions are met, Henley will refund the Henley course fee only. Evidence requirements and full claim terms are available on enquiry.
About the suggested saving
Skipping Level 2 may represent a saving of nearly $1,000, but this is indicative only and depends on the relevant provider’s prices. Separate WSET and provider fees are not included.
What the guarantee does not do
It does not guarantee admission to any WSET course, the availability of an entry test, or a pass in WSET or any other provider assessment.
Start with a conversation
Ready to study wine with more context?
This website does not offer checkout or enrolment. Ask Henley about the course, learning format, one-to-one video tuition or the full guarantee terms before making a decision.
Make a course enquiry