Emily O’Hare is a WSET instructor, wine writer and VIA Italian Wine Ambassador. Based in Tuscany she contributes to publications Decanter, Club Oenologique and Quench on Tuscan Wines.

Day 1 Saturday, 1 May
Welcome aperitivo and wine tasting of current releases and past vintages with Charlotte Horton, Castello di Potentino’s owner and winemaker who will guide you through the castle’s award-winning wines. Dinner prepared in the kitchens at Potentino using local meats and vegetables from our vegetable garden.  

Day 2 Sunday 2nd May
Breakfast and the WSET course begins with a workshop on Level 3 tasting technique

Lunch under the loggia in the courtyard

Back to class, down in the vineyard and into the castle winery to look at the natural and human influences that can impact Style, Quality and Price wines.

Dinner in castle dining room. 

Day 3 Monday 3rd May
Breakfast in the castle kitchen and class begins with the white wines of Germany, Alsace, Austria and Tokaj followed by the white wines of Burgundy, Loire and Bordeaux

Lunch under the loggia in the courtyard

Tasting and study of the red and rosé wines of Bordeaux, South West France and the Loire Valley

Day 4 Tuesday 4th May

Breakfast followed by WSET course: Red wines of Burgundy, Beaujolais, and the red and white wines of the northern Rhône Valley plus Red, white and rosé wines of southern Rhône and southern France.

Lunch at the Castle under the loggia or in the grand dining room at Potentino followed by free time

WSET course continues in the courtyard: Red wines of Spain and white wines of Spain and Portugal.

Evening meal at Potentino

Day 5 Wednesday 5th May

Free morning for relaxing by the pool and/or revising by the pool or in the castle libraries.

Lunch at the Castle

Late afternoon class: Red and white wines of Italy, red wines of Portugal and red and white wines of Greece,

Evening meal in the courtyard.

Day 6 Thursday 6th May

Breakfast and WSET course recommences with the premium white wines of New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, USA and Canada and the premium red wines of New Zealand, USA and Australia, followed by the regional specialities of Australia, South Africa and USA. Premium red and white wines of Argentina and Chile

Lunch at the Castle

Fortified Wines

Dinner at the castle

Day 7 Friday 7th May

Breakfast and Sparkling Wines with some light revision.

Lunch in the courtyard

Tasting and Theory Exam

NEGRONIS, Aperitivo using Potentino’s own distilled Gin, Vermouth and Bitters for a Castle Negroni.

DINNER in the castle dining room whilst…that chapel transforms into (for those with enough vermouth in their veins) a DISCO!

Day 8 Saturday 8th May

Breakfast, Goodbyes and Departures

If you would like to pay a deposit

The payment system asks for payment in full. If you would rather pay a non-refundable 30% deposit at the time of booking, please enter the code DEPOSIT30 at checkout. The final payment will be due two months before the start of the course. If you need to rebook for a later date, you can do so before the two-month point, however there may be a penalty to pay for the lost examination etc.

If you have any issues booking

Sometimes, it takes a few attempts to clear the cart if you need to make any changes to your room selection etc.  if you remove everything, it usually clears any issues.

If you have any issues at all, please contact Alexander Greene alexander.greene@potentino.com

What's included

• Full board and lodging at Castello di Potentino
• All study materials, the WSET examination and wines during the stay

What's not included

• Transfers or flights. * There may be a group transfer available to and from Florence depending on numbers at 4pm on the Sunday afternoon and departing Potentino at 9:30am on the day of departure.

Room Prices vary depending on the room chosen and the number of guests.

Single occupancy prices start at: €3945

Double occupancy prices start at: €3500

Triple room prices start at: €3150