June 30, 2026 (Beaune, France) — The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne is taking another major step in its international development. Through its Wine School, it is announcing a partnership with Esprits de Vins, the wine education company led by Fabrice Sommier, Meilleur Ouvrier de France in Sommellerie and President of the French Sommeliers Association (Union de la Sommellerie Française).
The partnership aims to expand the availability of Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) qualifications in Beaune through the progressive rollout of all four WSET levels. Among the nearly 800 WSET Approved Programme Providers worldwide, only 49 are authorised to deliver preparation courses for the Level 4 Diploma, the organisation’s highest qualification.
A Partnership Dedicated to Excellence
The École des Vins de Bourgogne, Esprits de Vins and WSET share a common ambition: to develop the knowledge and expertise of wine professionals. Through this partnership, the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne reinforces its role as a leading centre for wine education and the transmission of knowledge about vineyards, wine and the culture that surrounds them.
Having already established a comprehensive training programme for both wine enthusiasts and industry professionals, the Cité is now taking a significant new step by introducing an internationally recognised qualification to its educational offering. This collaboration will bring WSET courses and examinations to Beaune, providing access to the world’s most widely recognised wine qualifications in the heart of Bourgogne.
The WSET Diploma Comes to the Heart of Bourgogne
The WSET Level 4 Diploma is the highest qualification offered directly by WSET before the Master of Wine programme. It is designed for experienced wine professionals seeking to advance into senior technical, advisory or management roles within the wine industry, as well as for highly committed wine enthusiasts wishing to deepen their expertise.
As part of the multi-site Diploma programme developed by Esprits de Vins, the France module within the “Still Wines of the World” Unit will be delivered in Beaune at the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne. Studying this module in the heart of the Bourgogne vineyards offers a truly unique educational experience. In addition to the tastings and classroom sessions, participants will benefit from direct immersion in one of the world’s most iconic wine regions, bringing the wines, terroirs and history of Bourgogne to life.
A shared vision
Fabrice Sommier, President of Esprits de Vins
“This strategic partnership with the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne and its École des Vins will enable us to offer the full range of WSET qualifications in Beaune, providing our students with an even more immersive learning experience in one of the world’s most renowned wine regions.”
Édouard Mognetti, Managing Director of the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne
“Together with Esprits de Vins, we aim to further strengthen the educational offering of the École des Vins de Bourgogne, enabling both wine professionals and passionate enthusiasts to gain internationally recognised qualifications in Beaune. Welcoming WSET reflects this ambition and further enhances Beaune’s international reputation as a destination for wine education.”
Why Is WSET the Global Benchmark for Wine Education?
Founded in London in 1969, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is the world’s leading provider of education and qualifications in wines, spirits and sake. Today, its qualifications are delivered in more than 70 countries and are widely recognised across the global wine industry by sommeliers, buyers, importers, retailers, wine writers and educators.
Among nearly 800 WSET Approved Programme Providers worldwide, only 49 are authorised to deliver preparation courses for the prestigious Level 4 Diploma. Hosting part of this programme in Beaune, delivered by Esprits de Vins at the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne, reflects the Cité’s growing international profile and the confidence placed in its partners.
First sessions in Beaune
WSET Level 2
English: 6, 7 and 8 November 2026
French: 22, 23 and 24 January 2027
WSET Level 4, Diploma – 6 Units over 2 years
English only:
Part 1 of Unit 3 “Still Wines of the World”: 7, 8, 9 and 10 January 2027, following the programme start on 23, 24 and 25 October 2026 in Mâcon for Unit 1 “Wine Production”.
The ambition is to establish Beaune as a must-visit destination for WSET training, within a setting entirely dedicated to wine culture.
Programmes and registration
www.espritsdevins.com – contact@espritsdevins.com
The 2027 Training Calendar will be available soon.
About Esprits de Vins
Based in Mâcon, Bourgogne, Esprits de Vins is the oldest WSET Approved Programme Provider in France and outside the United Kingdom. Founded in 1991 by Hélène Touras DipWSET, an Agrégée in English and Academic Inspector in viticultural high schools, the organisation delivers WSET courses up to the Level 4 Diploma in Wines. Each year, it supports both professionals and dedicated enthusiasts in achieving internationally recognised qualifications through a teaching approach that combines academic excellence, tasting expertise and a global perspective on wine regions.
