WSET Level 4 – Diploma

A course that builds expertise theoretically and practically through comprehensive study of a large number of wine regions and tasting a large number of wines. The course deepens your understanding of how and why wine production and business factors influence the style, quality and price of wines.

Building on the knowledge and skills gained from the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, the Diploma deepens your understanding of how and why wine production and business factors influence the style, quality, and price of wines.

Your expertise is built both theoretically, through comprehensive study of a large number of wine regions, and practically, by developing your wine tasting skills to an expert level. Successful graduates acquire exceptional analytical skills and proficiency in evaluative wine tasting, gaining global recognition as authoritative wine specialists. Should you wish to progress to the Master of Wine programme, you will be well-prepared.

From 9.00 am – 5.00 pm every day

Day 1, 2 and 3:
15 august 2022 – Welcome, general info, tasting technique and introduction to viticulture and vinification and business of wine exams w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW
16 august 2022 – D1 – Viticulture w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW
17 august 2022 – D1 – Vinification w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW

Day 4 and 5
4 October 2022 – D2 – Business of Wine w/Mai Tjemsland MW
5 October 2022, – D2 and D6 – Business of Wine and research paper w/Mai Tjemsland MW

Day 6 and 7
16 January 2023 – D4 – Sparkling wine w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW
17 January 2023 – D5 – Fortified wine w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW

Day 8 and 9
27 March 2023 – D4 and D5 – Exam technique D4 and D5 w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW
28 March 2023 – D3 – Burgundy, Beaujolais, Jura and South West w/Alexander Hojem

Day 10 and 11
17 April 2023 – D3 – Germany and Austria w/Caro Maurer MW
18 April 2023 – D3 – Bordeaux and South of France w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW

Day 12 and 13
5 June 2023 – D3 – Rhône, Alsace and Loire w/Alexander Hojem
6 June 2023 – D3 – Spain and Portugal w/Tone Veseth Furuholmen

Day 14 and 15
21 August 2023 – D3 – Italy w/Tone Veseth Furuholmen
22 August 2023 – D3 – Italy w/Tone Veseth Furuholmen

Day 16 and 17
16 October 2023 – D3 – Italy, Greece and Tokaj w/Mai Tjemsland MW
17 October 2023 – D3 – South Africa, South America and China w/Mai Tjemsland MW

Day 18 and 19
22 January 2024 – D3 – North America w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW
23 January 2024 – D3 – Australia and New Zealand w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW

Day 20
11 March 2024 – D3 exam technique w/Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW

From 9.00 am – 5.00 pm every day
Implemented subject to sufficient registration.
From 9.00 am – 5.00 pm every day

Day 1, 2 and 3:

19 august 2024 – Welcome, general info, tasting technique and introduction to viticulture and vinification and business of wine exams
20 august 2024 – D1 – Viticulture
21 august 2024 – D1 – Vinification
Day 4 and 5:

8 October 2024 – D2 – Business of Wine
9 October 2024 – D2 and D6 – Business of Wine and research paper

Day 6 and 7:

23 January 2025 – D4 – Sparkling wine
24 January 2025 – D5 – Fortified wine

Day 8 and 9:

10 March 2025 – D4 and D5 – Exam technique D4 and D5
11 March 2025 – D3 – Burgundy, Beaujolais, Jura and Southwest of France

Day 10 and 11:

28 April 2025 – D3 – Germany and Austria
29 April 2025 – D3 – Bordeaux and South of France

Day 12 and 13:

12 June 2025 – D3 – Rhône, Alsace and Loire
13 June 2025 – D3 – Spain and Portugal

Day 14 and 15:

18 August 2025 – D3 – Italy
19 August 2025 – D3 – Italy

Day 16 and 17:

13 October 2025 – D3 – Italy, Greece and Tokaj
14 October 2025 – D3 – South Africa, South America and China

Day 18 and 19:

19 January 2026 – D3 – North America
20 January 2026 – D3 – Australia and New Zealand

Day 20:

9 March 2026 – D3 exam technique
- D1 Wine production
  20% weighting – classroom 16 hours – self study 80 hours
- D2 Wine business
  10% weighting – classroom 8 hours – self study 40 hours
- D3 Wines of the World
  50% weighting – classroom 70 hours – self study 170 hours
- D4 Sparkling Wines
  5% weighting – classroom 8 hours – self study 16 hours
- D5 Fortified Wines
  5% weighting – classroom 12 hours – self study 16 hours
- D6 Indipendant Research Assignment
  10% weighting – classroom 2 hours – self study 48 hours
Successful graduates acquire exceptional analytical skills and proficiency in evaluative wine tasting, gaining global recognition as authoritative wine specialists. Should a student wish to progress to the Master of Wine programme, he/she will be well-prepared.
The Diploma is delivered in six mandatory units covering a broad range of topics including wine production, wine business, and still, sparkling and fortified wines of the world.

D1 – Wine production
- Vine requirements
- Anatomy of the vine and grape
- Grape growing options and how these options affect grape yields, quality and the final wine produced
- Natural factors in the vineyard and how they influence the vine’s ability to produce grapes for wines of different styles, quality levels and price
- Winemaking and post-fermentation options and how they influence the style, quality and price of wines
D2 – Wine business
- The types of businesses engaged in wine production and the options for getting wine to the point of sale
- Factors that contribute to the price of wine
- Key considerations in wine marketing
D3 – Wines of the world | D4 – Sparkling wines | D5 – Fortified wines

In each of these Units you will learn:
- How grape-growing, winemaking, maturation, wine law and wine business influence the style, quality and price of the wine
- How to taste and evaluate wines using the WSET Level 4 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®(SAT)
D6 – Independent research assignment
- How to research a specified wine-related subject
- wset_l4wines_specification_en_aug2022
Total NOK 77.500,- including course days, all wines tasted during the course, access to online study material, obligatory exam fees, coffee- and lunch breaks. All prices are subject to change without prior notice due to currency fluctuation.

The study fee will be split on two invoices, one due before the course start and one after approximately 8 months. We offer more flexible payment plans both for the individuals and businesses. Enquiries can be directed to our wine coordinator Hanna.

Cancellations of confirmed places are accepted up to 30 working days prior to the start of the course. However, an administration fee of NOK 1500,- plus the full cost of the student registration (approximately NOK 4000) will be invoiced.

Cancellations of confirmed places later than 14 working days prior to the start of the course is not accepted and the full study fee will be invoiced.
Candidates must hold either the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines or the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits to enroll on the WSET Level 4 Diploma.
No other course or education qualifies for admission.

Candidates whose first language is not English are strongly recommended to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above or be able to demonstrate an equivalent ability level.

Exams:

Students will be registered to sit exams according to the scheme found under «Exam dates», unless otherwise agreed. Students can choose not to sit on the scheduled date, or to sit exams in other cities of the world on the dates set by the WSET.

If a student withdraws from an exam after the deadline he/she has used one examination attempt. If the student has been registered for the same exam previously, the full exam fee will be invoiced. All registrations/withdrawals from exams must be done via email to the study contact.

Students must pass five examinations and one assignment to pass the study. From the start of the program, students are registered for three years. As so, students have three years to complete the entire study program before a new student fee will be invoice (Approximately NOK 4000,-)
Welcome to our course program, where we stand out from other providers in several ways. While course materials and exams are standardized worldwide, we offer a unique adaptation that provides students with the best possible experience. Our attention to detail extends to the selection of wines during the course, where we not only follow WSET’s recommendations but also prioritize style and quality, even if it may incur additional costs.

Throughout our courses, participants benefit not only from instruction by world-class educators but also enjoy unlimited access to premium coffee, tea, and Purezza water, complemented by delectable lunches or dinners expertly crafted by our chefs.

Our dedicated staff, with expertise and knowledge exceeding requirements, ensures an engaging and educational experience. When it comes to pricing, we prefer to maintain a sustainable approach that reflects our belief in quality. Our experience and dedication to quality make us the ideal choice for those seeking a thorough and rewarding study experience.

Diploma exam dates

Course delivery

This qualification has a minimum requirement of 500 hours of study time:

Minimum 116 hours of delivery time
Minimum 370 hours of personal study and revision, including preparing an independent research assignment (D6)
Examinations for each unit (excluding D6) totaling 11 hours 50 minutes

It normally takes between 12 months and 3 years to complete WSET Level 4. Each unit is weighted differently in terms of hours of study required, the list below shows the minimum guided learning time, private study time and the weighting applied against each unit.

The diploma education is arranged every other year.

Meet the Educators

Heidi Iren Hansen Vestvik MW

Vinansvarlig/Master Of Wine
hih@kulinariskakademi.no

Heidi kommer fra Trøgstad, og er vår desidert største vin-nerd. Hun bestod vinkelnereksamen som best i klassen i 2009, og tok WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits på Kulinarisk Akademi i 2013. Hun har blant annet jobbet som sommelier på Norske Selskab og restaurantsjef på Hotell Refsnes Gods. Hun har også tre pallplasser i norsk- og nordisk mesterskap for sommelierer. Heidi bestod i 2020 det mest prestisjetunge vinstudiet i verden, Master of Wine, som beste smaker og beste sammenlagte resultat på eksamen i sitt kull.
Mai Tjemsland MW

Educator Diploma WSET Level 4
Sebastian Bredal MW

Educator Diploma WSET Level 4
Caro Maurer MW

Educator Diploma WSEL Level 4
Alexander Hojem

Educator for Diploma WSET Level 4 & sommeliers education

Alexander har tatt sin WSET Diplom på KA, etterfulgt av innpass på Master of Wine studier i London, hvor han nå jobber for å komme gjennom nåløyet. Ved siden av dette har han jobbet ti år i Vinmonopolet; i butikk, Sensorisk Prøveinstans og auksjonsansvarlig. I dag er Alexander ansvarlig for porteføljen til Moestue Grape Selections i Oslo, et importselskap med en bred europeisk representasjon. Ved siden av dette så er Alexander rådgiver for noen av landets største og mest krevende vinsamlere, og jobber med å bygge opp samlinger til et internasjonalt toppnivå.
Tone Veseth Furuholmen

Educator Diploma WSET Level 4 & sommeliers education

Tone kommer fra Oslo og er Senior Produktsjef i Vinmonopolet med ansvar for bla. Italia, Spania og Portugal. Hun har tidligere studert mange år i Italia, der vininteressen startet for alvor. Hun bestod vinkelnereksamen i 2010 og WSET Diploma i 2017 ved KA. Hun har jobbet flere år med vinimport i Arcus Gruppen og har også arbeidserfaring fra det Italienske Eksportrådet. For tiden er hun «practical only» student ved Institute of Masters of Wine i London.