Wine Tasting with Emily O'Hare WSET Level 3 Course (July 2026)
Sunday, 26th July to Sunday, 2nd August 2026
This is an eight day (seven night) residential course held in the beautifully restored medieval Tuscan castle of Castello di Potentino.
It is particularly special to study at Potentino. For millennia this area has been known as a sacred space for vine growing and winemaking. Etruscan winemaking stones lie by the river that runs alongside the castle and in the vineyards behind the castle. One feels a deep connection with the energy of ancient cultures and their passion, curiosity and respect for wine. It becomes more than an academic experience.
To take the WSET Level 3 course a willingness to learn about wine and taste a LOT of it is … not all that is required. It is an intriguing, fabulous, exhilarating jump from Level 2 to Level 3 - If you found yourself warming up to Level 2 you will get very hot for Level 3. The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is designed to give a thorough understanding of the factors that account for the style, quality and price of the principal still, sparkling and fortified wines of the world. The qualification will assist those who are required to make professional evaluations of wines with regards to their style, quality and price, and take the wine enthusiast to another level of LOVE for wine and the vine. Level 3 in Wines provides the in-depth product knowledge required to underpin job skills and competencies, for example in product selection in the retail and hospitality sectors.
The week at Potentino consists of 35 hours of study time followed by a blind tasting paper, a multiple choice, and a short written answer theory exam. Students are expected to commit to 50 hours of private study prior to the course beginning.
On passing the course students will be able to describe the characteristics of the principal wines of the world and give information on the key factors influencing style, quality and price. They will consequently be in a position to advise management, to answer customer queries authoritatively, and to make informed selections of wines in a variety of situations.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
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Identify the principal natural and human factors in the vineyard and winery that are involved in the production of still wines of the world and explain how they can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.
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Identify and describe the characteristics of the still wines produced in the principal wine producing regions of the world and explain how the key natural and human factors in the vineyard, winery, law and commerce can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.
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Identify and describe the characteristics of the principal sparkling wines of the world and explain how the key natural and human factors in the vineyard, winery, law and commerce can influence the style, quality and price of
these wines.
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Identify and describe the characteristics of the principal fortified wines of the world and explain how the key natural and human factors in the vineyard, winery and law can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.
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Demonstrate the ability to provide information and advice to customers and
staff about wines.
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Accurately describe the key characteristics of the principal still wines of the world and use the description to make an assessment of quality and an assessment of readiness for drinking using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)
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 Sunday, 26 July
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 Monday 27 July
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 Tuesday 28th July
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 Wednesday 29th July
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 Thursday 30th July
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 Friday 31st July
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 Saturday 1 August
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 Sunday 2 August
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: €3745
Double occupancy prices start at: €3300
Triple room prices start at: €2950
