Women of the Vine & Spirits is an Approved Program Provider of WSET Level 1 in Wines - Online and is proud to offer the course to our members and non-members.
May 13 - June 9
EXAM DATE: June 13
Course fee of $315 includes your online study materials, online course fees, online exam fees, any shipping fees, and processing fee as well as what is listed below!
This is a four-week online course with a fixed start date and includes 12 months of access to the online learning material.
The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is intended for people who have little or no prior knowledge of wines. The qualification will assist those who need a basic familiarity with the main types and styles of wines, such as people who work with wines as part of a larger beverage portfolio in the retail and hospitality sectors.
What you'll learn:
- The main types and styles of wine
- Common wine grapes and their characteristics
- How to store and serve wine
- The principles of food and wine pairing
- How to describe wine using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)
This course will be a four-week, seven-module online course with Online Educator support available during this time. The course modules should be followed in order, but students are free to complete the modules at their own pace during this four-week period. Each module includes a range of independent and/or group activities supported by videos and quizzes, designed to achieve the required learning outcomes to prepare for the examination.
Students are also advised to taste a range of wines during their studies. The list of recommended wines will be provided within each relevant module, but the full list of recommended wines can also be found in the course Specification document. Students can post their tasting notes in the Online Classroom for review by the Online Educator. If a student chooses not to taste alcohol for health or religious reasons, or is unable to purchase or access the styles of wines, this will NOT be a barrier to successfully completing the qualification.
The course content should take a minimum of 6 hours of study. To obtain the WSET Level 1 Award Certificate in Wine qualification, students will need to successfully pass the Computer-based exam with remote invigilation made up of 30 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes. Results take four to five weeks to be released by WSET, and successful candidates will receive a WSET Certificate and lapel pin.
Read Course Specifications HERE
Important Dates
Register on or before: May 2
Online Course Start Date: May 13
(Note: You do not have to start on this date. See below for details)
Online Course End Date: June 9
Online Exam Date: June 13, 1:00 pm PST
*WOTVS is an online provider of courses and Remote Invigilation examinations. Should you not be able to take the exam with remote invigilation, we encourage you to take the course with another provider as we are not currently set up for in-person examinations. Please refer to the WSET Remote Invigilation Essential Guidance webpage for system requirements in order to take RI exams to ensure you are able take RI exam before enrolling.
If you experience a challenge at least 8 business days before the exam please let us know, we may be able to refund the exam fee and recommend an in-person test at another APP.
WSET’s Online Classroom service runs regular courses throughout the year on its digital learning platform. The courses have been expertly designed by WSET to meet the same learning outcomes as provided in the classroom.
Students are free to log-in and complete their learning hours at times that suit them.
Payment Terms: To be paid in full upon registration.
U.S. Residents ONLY: The WOTVS APP is only approved to offer online courses to those living in the United States.
Entrance Requirements: At least 21 years of Age
Number of weeks: 4
Number of modules: 7
Total course hours: 6
Terms and Conditions
Women of the Vine & Spirits and the student enter into agreement under which the student will pay the relevant course fees, as well as adhere to Women of the Vine & Spirits Policies & Procedures. Women of the Vine & Spirits will provide the student with access to the Level 1 Award in Wines via the WSET Online Classroom, which will instruct the student in the Course Curriculum as outlined in the Level 1 Award in Wines’ Specification document.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Women of the Vine & Spirits reserves the right to cancel or change a course date. In these very rare circumstances, Women of the Vine & Spirits will arrange an alternative date and offer students either a transfer to a new date or, if this date is not convenient, provide an alternative. If neither option is made available by Women of the Vine & Spirits, a refund, minus any transaction fees, study pack, and shipping costs, then will be offered.
If you, the student, cancel more than 7 business days prior to the class or course start date, you may request a refund minus the original processing fees and possibly the costs of study materials and their shipment from Women of the Vine & Spirits to student. If you wish to reschedule instead of receiving a refund, you may request to be rescheduled to another session with no penalty, as long as the request is made 7 days prior to the class or course beginning.
If you cancel 7 business days or less prior to the class or course start date, no refunds will be given.
WOTVS is an online provider of courses and Remote Invigilation examinations. Should you not be able to take the scheduled exam with remote invigilation, we encourage you to take the course with another provider as we are not currently set up for in-person examinations. Please refer the guidance document for system requirements in order to take RI exams to ensure you are able take RI exam before enrolling.
If you experience a challenge and will not be able to sit for the scheduled exam, please notify us at least 8 business days before the exam. We may be able to refund the exam fee and recommend an in-person test at another APP.
If students have already received login instructions and credentials, students must not complete registration for the online portal, otherwise they will be ineligible for a refund. Students will be unable to receive refunds once the course begins.
By purchasing your course via this website, you agree to the Cancellation & Refund Policy and Terms & Conditions of this agreement as stated above.
You also verify that you have read and received the Women of the Vine & Spirits Policies & Procedures and the Level 1 Award in Wines’ Specifications document linked above.
Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Please note, those who receive scholarships for WSET Levels 1-2 Awards in Wines and Levels 1-2 Awards in Spirits from the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation are not eligible to take their WSET courses with WOTVS, but can take these qualifications at another APP.
Women of the Vine & Spirits WSET Approved Program Provider Policies & Procedures
Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations
Malpractice and Maladministration
Privacy & Data Protection Policy
Women of the Vine & Spirits aims to deliver consistent, effective and efficient levels of service to our students. However, there may be occasions where the service provided does not meet student expectations. Where this is the case, we would like the opportunity to improve our service by listening and responding, taking whatever action is needed to put mistakes right and to prevent them from happening again.
Policy aim and purpose
Women of the Vine & Spirits is committed to providing individuals directly affected by our services with the opportunity to provide feedback on whether or not standards have been met. Our students must have confidence that they will be listened to, therefore all feedback received, both positive and negative, will be acknowledged.
The aim of this policy is to provide a clear and structured process which highlights who can make a complaint (the complainant), how they can make a complaint and what Women of the Vine & Spirits will do to seek a resolution to the complainant’s satisfaction.
Therefore, Women of the Vine & Spirits aims to ensure that:
- Making a complaint is as easy as possible
- An appropriate response is provided e.g. an explanation, apology or action taken
- Complaints are properly documented and reviewed to improve service
Definition of a complaint
A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction about the standard of service, actions or lack of action by Women of the Vine & Spirits, a member of its staff or a representative, affecting a stakeholder or group of stakeholders, especially students and candidates.
Dissatisfaction may be associated with the service provided or with the way an individual perceives to have been treated by a Women of the Vine & Spirits member of staff or representative, which may or may not be justified or associated with professional misconduct.
Equality of access and treatment
Through publication of this policy on the Women of the Vine & Spirits website, individuals can access information about complaints procedures. We are committed to ensuring all individuals have equal access to this information. The act of filing a complaint will in no way prejudice the complainant. Complainants will be guaranteed confidentiality unless they waive that right but should be aware that while Women of the Vine & Spirits will not divulge their name, the circumstances of the complaint could potentially make them identifiable to other parties involved in the investigation.
Who can make a complaint?
Complaints can be made by an individual stakeholder or group of stakeholders who have been adversely affected by or have witnessed, the cause of dissatisfaction, or someone acting on behalf of the affected stakeholder (referred to as third parties).
Third parties submitting a complaint on behalf of the complainant may only do so with written permission to represent the complainant and their interests. This must be presented to and accepted by Women of the Vine & Spirits
Students/candidates wishing to raise dissatisfaction about services provided by Women of the Vine & Spirits must address their concern directly with Women of the Vine & Spirits by contacting Director of Operations, Kyndal Korsgaden at kyndal@womenofthevine.com. Only when Women of the Vine & Spirits’ full complaints procedure has been followed and the complainant continues to remain dissatisfied with the outcome should they contact WSET Awards.
Anonymous complaints
Receiving a complaint from an unidentified source potentially limits Women of the Vine & Spirits’ power to effectively investigate that complaint. However, if an anonymous complaint is received, Women of the Vine & Spirits will consider if there is enough information in the complaint to enable further investigation.
How to make a complaint / What to provide
Formal process
Formal complaints are submitted in writing and marked for the attention of Women of the Vine & Spirits’ Director of Operations, Kyndal Korsgaden and sent to the email address: kyndal@womenofthevine.com
When submitting a complaint, the complainant must provide the following:
- Name, address and contact information (phone and email)
- Full details of the complaint i.e. the cause of dissatisfaction with operations, actions or behavior
- All supporting information i.e. relevant documentation, dates, locations, any witnesses
- Details of any previous attempts to resolve the identified dissatisfaction
- What action or response they seek to resolve the dissatisfaction
Women of the Vine & Spirits will log the complaint and will acknowledge the complaint in writing within 3 working days of receipt. Complaints will be investigated by Kyndal Korsgaden who may contact the complainant or any other named parties for further information as required. The complainants name will not be mentioned to third parties or their identity otherwise revealed unless permission to do so has been obtained in advance.
A response, including explanation and resolution, will be provided within 20 working days from the date of the initial acknowledgement. However, where the complainant wishes their name to be withheld from an investigation, Women of the Vine & Spirits will not be able to provide information on the outcome other than to inform the complainant that it has been completed. Exceptionally (e.g. in especially complex or serious complaints, or where a key party is out of contact for a period of time) it may be necessary to extend the duration of the investigation. In that case, the complainant will be notified and given a revised timescale. The outcome will be recorded and incorporated into Women of the Vine & Spirits’ Continual Improvement Plan.
Appeals
If the complainant continues to remain dissatisfied with the response provided by Women of the Vine & Spirits, the next step will be to submit an appeal. Appeals must be received within 10 working days of receipt of the complaint outcome.
Policy on Appeals
Women of the Vine & Spirits operates an appeals policy to ensure that decisions taken by its staff are open to review in order to identify and rectify any errors. This policy does not apply to appeals against examination results for which a separate procedure exists.
Who can appeal?
Appeals can be made by an individual stakeholder or group of stakeholders who have been adversely affected by a decision made by Women of the Vine & Spirits, (the appellant), including anyone dissatisfied with the outcome of a formal complaint made according to Women of the Vine & Spirits’ Complaints Policy.
Appeals may also be made by someone acting on behalf of the affected stakeholder (referred to as third parties). Third parties submitting an appeal on behalf of the appellant may only do so with written permission to represent the appellant and their interests. This must be presented to and accepted by Women of the Vine & Spirits.
Procedure
Formal appeals are submitted in writing and marked for the attention of the Women of the Vine & Spirits’ Director of Operations, Kyndal Korsgaden at kyndal@womenofthevine.com. Women of the Vine & Spirits will log the appeal and pass it to the Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits, Deborah Brenner for investigation.
The appeal must be submitted within 10 working days of the cause of dissatisfaction and the complainant must provide the following:
- Name, address and contact information
- Full details of the appeal i.e. Women of the Vine & Spirits’ decision that has caused dissatisfaction
- All supporting information i.e. Women of the Vine & Spirits’ personnel involved, relevant documentation, dates, locations, any witnesses
- Details of any previous attempts to resolve the identified dissatisfaction
- What action or response they seek to resolve the dissatisfaction
Women of the Vine & Spirits will log the appeal and acknowledge it in writing within 3 working days of receipt. Deborah Brenner will investigate the appeal by conducting a complete and thorough review of the evidence on which the original decision was taken, compared to the criteria and/or policies against which this evidence was measured.
Deborah Brenner will respond to the appellant in writing within 20 working days of the acknowledgement of the appeal, providing an explanation and resolution. The duration of further investigation will depend on the nature and severity of the complaint and the complexity of the response required. In some cases, the investigation may take longer and in such instances, the appellant will be notified of the revised timescale. The outcome will be recorded and incorporated into the Women of the Vine & Spirits’ Continual Improvement Plan.
If the above steps have all been completed and the student is still dissatisfied, they may wish to file a complaint with WSET about the APP. Complainant should contact WSET Quality Assurance Team at QA@wsetglobal.com
As an Approved Program Provider of WSET qualifications, Women of the Vine & Spirits is required to identify, monitor and manage actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest (‘Conflicts of Interest’). This is essential to safeguard the integrity of WSET qualifications and promote confidence in WSET Awards processes.
This policy applies to all Women of the Vine & Spirits staff and to any individual acting on behalf of Women of the Vine & Spirits.
Definition of Conflict of Interest
A Conflict of Interest exists where an individual has interests or loyalties that could adversely influence their judgement, objectivity or loyalty to Women of the Vine & Spirits when conducting activities associated with WSET qualifications.
Examples of Conflicts of Interest include:
- The undertaking of any assessment of candidates by an individual who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment for any or all individuals concerned;
- The undertaking of any moderation of assessment of candidates by an individual who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment for any or all individuals concerned;
- The tutoring of candidates by an individual involved in the assessment process;
- The undertaking of a WSET qualification by any individual employed by Women of the Vine & Spirits;
- The invigilation of a WSET assessment by any individual involved in the delivery of training leading to the assessment;
- The coaching of candidates by any individual involved in the assessment of candidate scripts or the authoring of examination questions;
- The employment by Women of the Vine & Spirits of individuals engaged in the delivery of taught programs;
- The investigation of a non-compliance incident by someone who is unable to act impartially
Some of these Conflicts of Interest can be managed and are therefore acceptable. For example, where Women of the Vine & Spirits of one of its employees undertakes a WSET qualification, measures can be put in place to maintain the integrity of the assessment, provided this has been notified to WSET Awards in advance.
Some Conflicts of Interest cannot be managed and are not acceptable.
Identification of Conflicts of Interest
Any individual involved in the delivery of WSET qualifications who becomes aware of a Conflict of Interest must inform Women of the Vine & Spirits’ Director of Operations, Kyndal Korsgaden, in writing immediately – sent to kyndal@womenofthevine.comConflict of Interest declarations will be recorded by Women of the Vine & Spirits and reported to WSET’s Quality Assurance Team at qa@wsetglobal.com.
Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations
Women of the Vine & Spirits seeks to assess all candidates in a way that puts them at no disadvantage, or advantage, over other candidates. With regard to all reasonable adjustment and special consideration requests, Women of the Vine & Spirits always seeks the guidance of WSET Awards.
A reasonable adjustment is any action that helps to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that places the candidate at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation. Reasonable adjustments are approved by WSET Awards and put in place before the assessment activity takes place; they constitute an arrangement to give the candidate access to the qualification. The use of a reasonable adjustment is not taken into consideration during the assessment of a candidate’s work.
Reasonable adjustments must not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom reasonable adjustments are not being made, or affect the reliability and validity of the assessment outcomes as detailed in the applicable Specification.
Reasonable adjustments may involve:
- Changing standard assessment arrangements, for example allowing candidates extra time to complete the assessment activity;
- Providing access facilitators during assessment, such as a sign language interpreter or reader;
Applying for a reasonable adjustment
Candidates must identify at the time of enrollment any special needs which may require a reasonable adjustment at the time of the examination. Candidates with reasonable adjustments must enroll at least six weeks before the examination date in the case of WSET qualifications at Levels 1 and 2 and must provide supporting evidence.
The specific arrangements for the examination process itself, or for marking, will be agreed in each case between Women of the Vine & Spirits’ Examinations Officer and WSET Awards, and will vary according to individual circumstances. WSET Awards reserves the right to seek the advice of independent agencies as appropriate in coming to a decision on specific arrangements. Please note that Women of the Vine & Spirits may not offer reasonable adjustments to any candidate until this has been agreed with WSET Awards.
Candidates and their advisors should be aware that it is not appropriate to make requests for reasonable adjustments where the candidate’s particular difficulty directly affects performance in the attributes that are the focus of the assessment.
Women of the Vine & Spirits will keep records of all reasonable adjustment applications.
Special Consideration Policy
Special consideration is an action taken after an assessment to allow candidates who have been disadvantaged by temporary illness, injury, indisposition or adverse circumstances at the time of the assessment to demonstrate attainment.
Special consideration will not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom special consideration is not being applied, or alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the applicable Specification.
A candidate may be eligible for special consideration if:
- Performance in an assessment is affected by circumstances beyond the control of the candidate. This may include recent personal illness, accident, bereavement;
- Alternative assessment arrangements which were agreed in advance of the assessment proved inappropriate or inadequate;
- The application of special consideration would not mislead the user of the certificate as to the candidate’s attainment.
Please note that WSET Awards does not offer aegrotat awards and that all assessment requirements of WSET qualifications must be met.
Applying for special consideration
Candidate must submit a request for Special Consideration to Women of the Vine & Spirits within 6 working days of the assessment date for which special consideration is being sought. Eligibility will only be considered if accompanied by supporting independent documentation.
In cases of serious disruption during the examination, the Women of the Vine & Spirits’ Examinations Officer must submit a detailed report of the circumstances and candidates affected to WSET Awards.
Women of the Vine & Spirits keeps records of all applications for special consideration.
Please refer to our Privacy Policy for how any personal data will be handled by Women of the Vine & Spirits.
Women of the Vine & Spirits is committed to upholding the principles of diversity and equality in all areas of its work, seeking to ensure that all candidates and other stakeholders are treated fairly and equally at all times.
This policy also applies to all Women of the Vine & Spirits staff and to any individual acting on behalf of Women of the Vine & Spirits.
Women of the Vine & Spirits assures equality of opportunity for candidates by:
- Promoting open access to WSET qualifications (having regard to the legal minimum age for the retail purchase of alcohol and assessment competence standards);
- Allowing candidates with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access WSET assessments without changing the demands of the assessment in line with our Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration policies;
- Inviting feedback on diversity issues from candidates and other stakeholders;
- Working with relevant organizations as appropriate to develop measures to identify and prevent inequality of opportunity; and
- Reviewing this policy regularly to ensure it continues to meet legislative and organizational requirements and is fit for purpose.
Candidates who believe they may have been unfairly discriminated against by a Women of the Vine & Spirits employee/staff member should raise this with Women of the Vine & Spirits as per the Complaints and Appeals Policies above.
This policy is made available to candidates upon request.
For questions about diversity and equality, please contact Women of the Vine & Spirits’ Director of Operations, Kyndal Korsgaden at kyndal@womenofthevine.com.
Malpractice and Maladministration
The aim of this policy is to protect the interests of WSET students and Women of the Vine & Spirits and safeguard the integrity of WSET qualifications by ensuring compliance with WSET Policies and Procedures. It provides a framework for the identification, reporting and management of any potential malpractice or maladministration and for the application of sanctions.
Non-compliance with WSET Policies and Procedures generally falls into one of two categories:
- Maladministration, where non-compliance is accidental rather than intentional; and
- Malpractice where non-compliance is intentional or the result of negligence.
The boundaries between maladministration and malpractice are not clear-cut. Some incidents may fall into either category depending on the wider context. Some maladministration incidents may become malpractice e.g. through failure to implement corrective measures, repetition of the incident, or subsequent attempt at non- disclosure or misrepresentation. A malpractice incident may be deemed to be maladministration if there are extenuating circumstances. Whether a situation is maladministration or malpractice will be determined by Women of the Vine & Spirits following an investigation.
Malpractice or maladministration by student may include:
- Cheating, including the use of unauthorized devices or materials;
- Disruptive behavior in an examination;
- Plagiarism of any nature by students;
- Impersonation (including forgery of signatures);
- Any action likely to lead to an adverse effect;
- Failure to a disclose Conflict of Interest;
- Fraudulent claim for certificates/fraudulent use of certificates/reproduction or forgery of certificates;
- Submission of false or inaccurate information to gain a qualification;
- Impersonation (including forgery of signatures);
Malpractice or maladministration by Women of the Vine & Spirits may include:
- Failure to adhere to the terms of Centre Agreement or WSET Policies and Procedures;
- Failure to comply with the APP Code of Conduct;
- Failure to carry out course or assessment delivery in accordance with WSET Awards requirements;
- Failure to adhere to WSET Awards’ candidate registration and certification procedures;
- Late student registrations;
- Withholding of information from WSET Awards which is critical to maintaining the rigour of quality assurance;
- Insecure storage of assessment materials;
- Any action likely to lead to an adverse effect;
- Breach of confidentiality; Failure to disclose Conflict of Interest;
- Issue of incorrect exam results/failure to issue results to students in a timely manner;
- Unauthorized reading/amendment/copying/distribution of exam papers;
- Failure to report changes in ownership/personnel/location/facilities;
- Denial of access to information, documentation, workforce, facilities;
- Failure to respond to WSET Awards in a timely manner;
- Infringement of WSET copyright, trademarks, intellectual property rights and brand identity;
- Misleading advertising/publicity.
Reporting of Malpractice or Maladministration
Students who witness an incident of malpractice or maladministration should refer to the Women of the Vine & Spirits Complaints & Appeals policy to report any incidents.
Women of the Vine & Spirits employees/staff who witness an incident of malpractice or maladministration should refer to the Women of the Vine & Spirits Complaints & Appeals policy to report any incidents.
Sanctions Applicable to Students
- Written Warning: The student is issued with a written warning that if the offense is repeated within a set period of time then further specified sanctions will be applied.
- Exam Result Declared Null & Void: A student’s exam result is disallowed. This may include invalidation and recall of a certificate already issued.
- Disqualification from a Qualification: The student is disqualified from participating in the concerned qualification with immediate effect and further excluded from participating in any further WSET qualifications for a period of 12 months.
- Student Disqualification: The learner is disqualified from participating in any courses or assessments leading to WSET qualifications.
Women of the Vine & Spirits reserves the right to cancel or change a course date. In these very rare circumstances, Women of the Vine & Spirits will arrange an alternative date and offer students either a transfer to a new date or, if this date is not convenient, provide an alternative. If neither option is made available by Women of the Vine & Spirits, a refund, minus any transaction fees, study pack, and shipping costs, then will be offered.
If you, the student, cancel more than 7 business days prior to the class or course start date, you may request a refund minus the original processing fees and possibly the costs of study materials and their shipment from Women of the Vine & Spirits to student. If you wish to reschedule instead of receiving a refund, you may request to be rescheduled to another session with no penalty, as long as the request is made 7 days prior to the class or course beginning.
If you cancel 7 business days or less prior to the class or course start date, no refunds will be given.
WOTVS is an online provider of courses and Remote Invigilation examinations. Should you not be able to take the scheduled exam with remote invigilation, we encourage you to take the course with another provider as we are not currently set up for in-person examinations. Please refer the guidance document for system requirements in order to take RI exams to ensure you are able take RI exam before enrolling.
If you experience a challenge and will not be able to sit for the scheduled exam, please notify us at least 8 business days before the exam. We may be able to refund the exam fee and recommend an in-person test at another APP.
If students have already received login instructions and credentials, students must not complete registration for the online portal, otherwise they will be ineligible for a refund. Students will be unable to receive refunds once the course begins.
When
Location
- WSET Online Classroom