Study Abroad

Expand your horizons with wine travel.

A rare opportunity to immerse yourself fully in wine study with a 360-degree view of the region

Our industry-recognized study abroad wine tours and immersion programs offer intensive, professional-level education and travel within the wine regions of France, Italy, Spain and beyond. Led by prominent wine professionals and journalists, our itineraries and curricula provide a backstage pass to the most celebrated wine regions in the world.

2025 Educational Wine Tours Destinations & Dates

Alsace

April 6 - 11, 2025

Backroads Bourgogne

October 26 – 31, 2025

Bordeaux

November 2 - 7, 2025

Bourgogne

June 1 - 6, 2025

Champagne

May 12 - 16, 2025

Loire

June 22 - 27, 2025

Piemonte

June 8 – 13, 2025

Sicily

October 12 - 17, 2025

Tuscany

Sept 28 - Oct 3, 2025

Galicia-Bierzo

May 03 - 10, 2025

Sherry/Jerez

Sep 28 - Oct 3, 2025

2025 Masters Immersion Destinations & Dates

Why Study Abroad With Us?

The knowledge, the camaraderie and unforgettable memories. WSG study abroad programs are in high demand and continually sell out. Most of our alumni network return for additional study abroad programs year after year.

Tastings Tailored for Professionals, Serious Enthusiasts, Students, and Wine Collectors

We taste extensively. You will have the opportunity to taste sought-after wines, barrel samples and rare cuvées that do not often reach the export market.

See For Yourself

There is no better way to fully understand the complexities of a wine region than by seeing and experiencing it with your own two eyes. Our hands-on experiences are something you cannot obtain from books alone.

Access: Meet the Winemakers and Experts

Meet the masters behind the bottles. WSG groups have enjoyed exclusive introductions to winemakers at some of the most renowned estates such as Louis Roederer in Champagne, Château Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux, Clos de Tart in Burgundy and Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace, among many others.

Visit Iconic Estates and Rising Stars

We feature established, historic wineries as well as lesser-known estates, allowing you to see the icons, discover hidden gems and visit the upcoming stars.

Be Part of a Community

Composed of professionals and serious enthusiasts, your small group of no more than 18 participants will be intimate enough to get to know everyone and to ensure you feel comfortable together.

Hassle-Free Planning

We maximize your time with smooth transitions from one extraordinary experience to another. You can also choose whether to stay a little longer or arrive before the group to make the most of your wine travel experience. 

Led by Top-Notch Instructors

Led by top wine industry professionals and educators, our WSG itineraries combine premium travel with in-depth wine education. Providing insider access to some of the most sought-after wine cellars and vineyards in the world for exclusive hands-on learning and unmatched tasting opportunities.

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Wendy Narby

Wine Writer
specialized in Bordeaux wines

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Andrew Jefford

Award-winning wine journalist and author

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Pietro Russo MW

Master of Wine specialized in Italian wines

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Jonas Tofterup MW

Master of Wine specialized in Spanish wines

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Essi Avellan MW

Master of Wine specialized in Champagne wines

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Robin Kick MW

Master of Wine specialized in Bourgogne wines

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Timothy Magnus

Wine educator specialized in Bourgogne wines

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Caro Mauer MW

Master of Wine specialized in German wines

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Matt Walls

Decanter's Rhône Valley correspondent

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Pascaline Lepeltier

2018 Best Sommelier of France & 4th place finalist in the Best Sommelier of the World 2023

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Jane Hunt MW

Master of Wine specialized in Italian wines

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David Way

Wine writer
specialized in Italian wines

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Peter Liem

Award-winning wine writer specialized in Champagne and Sherry wines

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You’ll learn so much more than you would on your own! During WSG tours, our internationally renowned instructors are always with you; providing fascinating information, answering questions, and clarifying facts and figures to ensure understanding of the nuances and subtleties of each region and its wine styles.
  • Camaraderie! And the experience of exploring new wine regions with other like-minded individuals who are just as passionate and obsessive about great wine as you are!
  • Access to amazing wine tastings and estates you would not be able to visit on your own. With personal and long-standing relationships in each of the regions we operate, WSG has some of the highest-level contacts in the industry. As a WSG study abroad participant, you will have the opportunity to taste incredible wines at each estate and will be welcomed as an honored guest everywhere you go.
  • All our WSG instructors have lived or worked in France, Italy, Spain, or other countries in which we operate, for many years. This has allowed them to cultivate extensive experience and contacts within the region. You’ll get expert information about the wine business, and an insider’s take on local culture.
  • Avoid taking chances on hotels or restaurants you don’t know.  With more than a decade of experience, our guides use first-hand knowledge to select the best hotels and restaurants for your enjoyment.
  • Make the most of your travel time! Our itineraries minimize driving to ensure you receive a thorough overview of the region, taking in the breathtaking landscapes and amazing wine culture of each respective region.
  • Avoid driving, navigating or directions. Feel free to relax and enjoy wine your meals in the comfort of a safe and carefully curated learning environment.
  • Your WSG instructor and Tour Manager will translate for the group at all times, eliminating communication or language barriers, as many winemakers in France, Italy and Spain may have limited English proficiency.

Preparing for the trip

Please ask the instructor if there is enough time before the end of the visit for you to make your purchase without impeding the progress and timing of the trip.

It is very rare that estates offer international shipping. If you would like to purchase wine, we recommend that you ask your government’s customs office for their rules and regulations if you intend to bring wine back into your country, or have wine shipped to you. You always have the option of bringing wine home with you in your checked luggage. A specialized wine suitcase is perfect for this. Depending on your home country, this amount will vary.

You may have to pay some amount of duty on your wine when you go through customs. Therefore, it's best to check with your local authorities for further information.

TRANSPORTATION, FOOD & LODGING

We choose 4-star hotels to ensure a high level of comfort, including en-suite bathrooms, WiFi and air conditioning.  It’s very important for the hotels to be well situated in the region, to keep driving time and distance to a minimum. We want to make sure you are as close as possible to the vineyards and other local sites of interest. The hotels we choose also must be large enough to accommodate groups.

We thoroughly check each hotel before including it in a WSG tour or program. In wine regions that are large and spread out, you may change hotels once or twice during a week-long stay (to keep driving times to a minimum each day). In other regions, there may be only one centrally located hotel.

Organizers & Instructors

Our tour instructors are among the most renowned and respected wine professionals in the wine business. They are also professional wine educators who are absolutely passionate about the region and its wines. You can see a full biography of the instructor for each trip on the corresponding page, so you can know exactly with whom you'll be touring and learning. Most are native English speakers (American or British), and all other instructors speak English fluently.

Our instructors have that special combination of high-level wine expertise, personal warmth, friendliness, and excellent leadership skills. They'll accompany you every day, throughout the trip, and will be able to answer all of your questions about the wines of the region you’ll be visiting (and about wine in general).

Booking a trip

Yes, we strongly encourage you to purchase a very comprehensive travel insurance package once you have paid your non-refundable deposit for a Study Trip. Note that many plans require you to purchase the insurance very soon after your deposit payment (some require it within 14 days). There are any number of things that can happen that can cause cancellation or interruption of package travel, and travel insurance can help cover the costs you incur as a result.

You can find travel insurers easily and there are sites where you can compare policies (for example, Insure My Trip). Be sure to read policies very carefully before you purchase. Include your airfare, train fare, and any other expenses you will have in addition to the price of the study trip itself. We highly recommend getting a “cancel for any reason” policy, which offers the best coverage. Travel experts say “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel,” so don’t skimp on this important coverage!

Read our Terms & Conditions here.

Have a different question? Feel free to contact us.

Questions?

Contact us today.