Diploma "Wines of the World" Continuation Fund

When the IWEG Drinks Academy abruptly closed its doors on May 28th many people were affected, from employees to students to instructors, none more so than the cohort of students in the middle of their WSET Diploma program.

Twenty five students started in September 2023, paying almost 10K for the two year program, which comprises 6 individual units. The group had just started the largest and most daunting of the six units, the "dreaded" Unit 3 (Still Wines of the World). Some 35 classes were planned from April 2024 to end of March 2025, leading up to the final 6 1/2 exam worth 100% of their mark. But this schedule was interrupted after only 4 classes.

This is a unit that requires substantial study to develop an in-depth knowledge of wine regions throughout the world. Fewer than half of students pass. Students need all the help they can get to achieve their goal. Historically, those who go through an in-class program are significantly more likely to pass the final exam than those who participate remotely through WSET's online portal. In-class is also more expensive, because of the cost of wine samples and instruction. However, these students felt the extra cost was worth it considering the increased likelihood of passing.

When IWEG closed, students were told their only option was to continue online. No other wine school in Ontario is authorized to offer the Diploma program. Furthermore, because students paid their tuition to IWEG, their attendance could not be transferred to another school, even outside of Ontario.

I was a senior Diploma instructor at IWEG for 9 years and I can restart the in-class schedule for Wines of the World in September, allowing the students to continue the experience they paid for and give them their best shot at passing the exam next May. I will donate my time to teach many of the classes, raising wine samples through donations from local agencies, and count on the kindness of knowledgeable instructors to fill in where needed. Costa Patiniotis has generously donated space at Vintage Conservatory in Yorkville location to host the classes. But we will still need some funds.

There are about 180 wines students are required to be familiar with. Any samples we cannot get through donations will need to be purchased. There will be additional expenses related to instruction assistance.

I have been part of the Toronto wine community for 25 years. I have received much and tried to give back through instructing the next generation of wine professionals. I know there are many in the community who feel as I do, and I am convinced we can raise the wine samples and funds to give these students the in-class education they have paid for.

I thank you in advance.

Peter Wearing