How to Become a Sommelier
See Yourself As The Next Top Sommelier In Africa?
The World? Here’s How!
The South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) is an internationally recognized organisation and member of the global sommelier body Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI). Sharing the collective vision, SASA’s mission is to raise the standard of wine knowledge and service in South Africa to reflect the benchmark of international wine service standards.
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With every South African wine that makes the headlines, with every new sommelier putting their stamp on a wine program, we set the bar a little higher. It becomes harder and harder to compete in this industry without the services of a qualified professional. Now is the time to make a career for yourself!
What You Need To Know: In 2010, the South African Sommelier Association (SASA) set out to create the first internationally recognised Sommelier Accreditation Program in Africa. With the help of renowned, industry-tested, and internationally-trained sommeliers, we started the long journey of writing our own syllabus and becoming a full member of The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.
Wine Courses
Education is the vehicle for an exciting journey into the incredible world of Sommellerie. It holds the key to growth of knowledge, never-ending opportunities and life-changing experiences. SASA is a proud advocate of continuous learning and development for sommeliers in SA.
The two educational institutions approved by SASA as its official training service providers are The Sommeliers Academy and Apeirogon Youth Development Academy. With 80 years combined industry experience, each of our Service Providers has its own dynamic and engaging wine education modules and training courses. They offer a complete theoretical and practical package to achieve the competency level for the SASA certified exams.
Browse the training courses offered by our Service Providers and select which is the most beneficial for you at this time. Should you wish to sign up for a course, reach out to Sommelier Academy and Apeirogon Youth; they would love to hear from you.
- Learn more about them here (View our Service Providers).
- See their amazing work here Sommelier Academy and Apeirogon Youth Facebook page
- Connect with them here (info@sommellerie.co.za / hello@apeirogonyouth.co.za)
In addition to our service providers, there are a number of wine schools that are deemed advantageous to potential exam candidates. SASA encourages prospective exam applicants to explore the multitude of learning avenues to enrich your knowledge and experience. Find the links to further resources below:
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CWA - https://www.capewineacademy.co.za/
Chenin Noir - https://www.cheninnoir.co.za/
WSET - https://www.wsetglobal.com/
Exams
Aspiring newcomers and developing wine stewards who are fresh in the wine service industry, may consider completing the Introductory Sommelier Exam as the first milestone.
Wine ambassadors who have expanded their pool of knowledge and built up more experience, wishing to progress to a certified professional level, may then focus their studies towards achieving the SASA Junior Sommelier Certification.
For the well-seasoned, professional sommelier with the desire to obtain expert skills and globally recognized certification, they may apply for the ASI certification 2 and a step beyond that the prestigious ASI Diploma. Click here for more detail.
Please note the Introductory sommelier exam is not a sommelier certification. Certifications begin on completion of the junior sommelier exam.