The top independent wine school in America. Founded in 2001, the Wine School offers professional certification programs along with sommelier exam preparatory programs. The school is located in the Rittenhouse neighborhood in Center City Philadelphia. Named one of the two top wine schools in America by SOMM. The school has launched the careers of hundreds of winemakers, sommeliers, importers, and wine educators. Through its exclusive relationship with the National Wine School in California, the Wine School of Philadelphia offers sommelier certification up to the master level. The school also offers individual classes for the public. These two hour tasting classes range from Wine 101 to the Wines of Burgundy. No matter the student's knowledge level, there is a class for them. These classes are popular, and sometimes can sell out several months in advance. Classes are not exclusively wine. There are classes on Whiskey, Food and Wine Pairing, and many other subjects, including it's ever popular Sommelier Smackdown. The school is one of the few wine schools in America to have it's own brick-and-mortar facilities. It also has a full time administration and teaching staffs. The school also hosts the Philly Beer School, which earned a "Best of Philadelphia" for it's classes. The Beer School offers brewing classes from beginner to advanced. It also offers tasting classes to the general public. The school also offers a Cooking Classroom, with it's in-house chef.