Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas

What Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas does

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMS-A) is a California nonprofit corporation and the premier credentialing body for sommelier and beverage-service professionals across North America, South America, and parts of Asia. Founded in 1987 as the Americas chapter of the England-based Court (est. 1977), CMS-A operates a four-tier certification ladder — Introductory Sommelier, Certified Sommelier, Advanced Sommelier, and Master Sommelier Diploma — with 172 Master Sommeliers and approximately 75,000 cumulative credential-holders in the Americas to date. The organization runs both in-person courses at international examination centers (Seoul, Tokyo, Houston, Portland, Phoenix, Buenos Aires) and online self-paced courses delivered via video lectures with live webcam proctoring through Guardian Browser, plus closed captioning in English and Spanish.

The core product portfolio spans the certification ladder, the SommBIZ online wine business course (launched September 2025), the annual Women's Sommelier Symposium (since 2023), required RALIANCE ethics training (since 2025), the Deductive Tasting Method workshop, a 100-scholarship-per-year Introductory Course program, virtual Office Hours with Master Sommeliers, recorded mentorship study sessions, and the Sommelier Lookup credential-verification directory. Underlying infrastructure is built on WordPress/Elementor for the public site, Calendly for mentorship scheduling, and the Arlo platform for course and exam calendar management.

CMS-A generates revenue primarily through course and examination fees (Introductory $599-$649, Advanced/MS $100 application fee plus course fees, $150 retake fees), SommBIZ subscriptions ($399 per level or $999 for the complete program, with corporate group discounts for 10+ learners), and $95 annual membership dues from Master Sommeliers. Sponsored revenue flows from a concentrated set of wine and champagne brand partners (Krug, Ruinart, Riedel, Foley Family Estates, Jackson Family Wines, Treasury Wine Estates, Southern Glazer's, Cooper's Hawk, Sonoma County Winegrowers). The customer base spans three segments: individual aspiring sommeliers and wine enthusiasts, working hospitality and beverage industry professionals, and employers hiring or training credentialed staff. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors led by Board Chair Michael Meagher MS and operates with a small staff (1-10 employees) under Executive Director Julie Cohen Theobald, who joined in 2021.

Name

Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas

Legal name

Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas

Website

https://mastersommeliers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sommelier Certification

akta.pro primary industry

Certification Program Administration & Scheme Management (Standard Owners) (AFALACAC)

Keywords

• Sommelier certification
• Wine education
• Beverage service training
• Hospitality certification
• Professional credentialing

Headquarters

HQ city

Napa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Course and Examination Fees: Primary revenue from registration fees for Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination (both online at $599-$649 and in-person), Certified Sommelier Examination, Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination ($100 application fee), and Master Sommelier Diploma Examination ($100 application fee). Online courses include exam retake fees of $150.
2. SommBIZ Online Course: Tiered pricing for three-level online wine business course: $399 per level individually, or $999 for all three levels (Best Value). Six months access per level. Group discounts available for 10+ students.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues of $95 for Master Sommeliers, payable upon admission and annually thereafter. Members receive access to member-only documents and the MS Forum.
4. Additional Fees: Refunds incur $50 administrative processing fee for cancellations 30+ days prior. Partial refunds may be considered for medical emergencies with doctor's note within 14 days of course start. Paper copy requests for official communications charged at $1 first page and $0.25 per additional page.
5. Pin and Certificate Replacement: Members can order replacement pins and certificates through the member portal for a fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas administers a four-tier sommelier certification program (Introductory, Certified, Advanced, Master Sommelier Diploma) taught exclusively by Master Sommeliers. It delivers both online and in-person courses, live-proctored examinations, and credential verification services across North America, South America, and parts of Asia, complemented by the SommBIZ online wine business course.

Product overview

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas operates a four-level sommelier certification program serving as the premier examining body for sommeliers and beverage professionals in the Americas. The core portfolio includes: (1) Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination - entry-level certification in online and in-person formats; (2) Certified Sommelier Examination - second-level credential; (3) Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination - three-day program with modified 2022 format; (4) Master Sommelier Diploma Examination - highest certification requiring independent passage of theory, tasting, and practical components. Supporting products include: SommBIZ - a three-level online wine business course; scholarship programs (100 annual scholarships for Introductory Course); virtual mentorship via Office Hours with Master Sommeliers and recorded study sessions; Women's Sommelier Symposium - annual mentorship program; RALIANCE training - required ethical certification; Deductive Tasting Method Workshop; and credential verification services (Sommelier Lookup). The organization has welcomed 172 Master Sommeliers since founding the Americas chapter in 1987, with programs hosted throughout North America, South America, and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SommBIZ: The industry's first online wine business course designed by Master Sommeliers to help hospitality leaders develop staff into strategic business partners. Covers Beverage Business Fundamentals and Financial Management.
• Women's Sommelier Symposium
• RALIANCE Training

Products and services

• Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination Entry-level certification program introducing students to wine theory, the proprietary Deductive Tasting Method, and service standards. Delivered in-person or online with live-proctored examination, taught exclusively by Master Sommeliers.
• Certified Sommelier Examination Second-level credentialing examination covering intermediate knowledge of wines, wine regions, winemaking styles, spirits, beer, cocktails, food and wine pairing, salesmanship, and basic financial program management.
• Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination Three-day educational program and examination testing advanced theoretical knowledge of wine, blind tasting, formal beverage service, wine business strategies, and comprehensive beverage program management. Requires $100 application fee.
• Master Sommelier Diploma Examination Highest certification level examining mastery of theoretical knowledge, blind tasting of six classic wines, and practical hospitality and beverage service. Widely regarded as one of the most rigorous professional exams in the world. Requires $100 application fee and successful passage of three independent components.
• SommBIZ Online Wine Business Course Three-level online wine business course covering wine industry organization, purchasing, sales, wine list management, inventory, financials, and service management. Priced at $399 per level individually or $999 for the complete program, with group discounts available for 10+ students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 172 Master Sommeliers certified since 1987
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rutini WinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 June 2026Rutini Wines provided scholarships to three distinguished Argentine sommeliers (Delvis Huck, Pablo Casquero, and Nina Escaso) for the Introductory Sommelier Course and Examination held at Escuela Argentina de Sommeliers in Buenos Aires. Coordinated by Marina Beltrame and Alejandro Iglesias, driven by CMS Americas Executive Director Julie Cohen Theobald and Master Sommelier Thomas Price.
• RALIANCEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025RALIANCE is a global leader dedicated to ending sexual violence by helping organizations create safe, respectful environments. Partnered with CMS-A Board of Directors to develop customized RALIANCE training 'Promoting Respectful and Safe Environments in the Beverage Industry.' Required for Advanced and Master Sommelier program participation. First launched for Board, Master Sommeliers, and staff in 2025.
• KrugcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKrug is the sponsor of the Master Sommelier Diploma Examination, providing support for the highest-level certification program in the organization. This prestigious champagne house aligns with the gold standard status of the Master Sommelier title.
• RuinartcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRuinart sponsors the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination, supporting the second-highest certification level in the organization's four-level program.
• RiedelcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRiedel sponsors the Advanced Sommelier Course and Examination, providing glassware expertise and brand support for the certification program.
• Sonoma County WinegrowerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSonoma County Winegrowers sponsors the Women's Sommelier Symposium, hosting the annual three-day event that brings together ten selected Advanced/Certified Sommeliers for mentorship and professional development.
• Foley Family EstatescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoley Family Estates sponsors the Women's Sommelier Symposium and has established the Women in Wine Scholarship Fund, awarding $1,000 scholarships to female sommeliers attending the symposium.
• Jackson Family WinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJackson Family Wines sponsors the Women's Sommelier Symposium and employs Master Sommeliers including David Reuss as Regional Wine Educator.
• Cooper's Hawk Winery & RestaurantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooper's Hawk sponsors the Women's Sommelier Symposium and is led by Emily Wines MS as Vice President of Wine Experience, who co-developed the SommBIZ curriculum.
• Laurent-PerrierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaurent-Perrier sponsors the Women's Sommelier Symposium, providing champagne for the networking and celebration events.
• Treasury Wine EstatescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTreasury Wine Estates sponsors the Women's Sommelier Symposium, provides in-kind donations for educational courses, and employs Gillian Ballance MS as National Education Manager.
• Southern Glazer's Wine and SpiritscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSouthern Glazer's Wine and Spirits provides the Mel Dick Scholarship for sommelier education and employs Jennifer Huether MS as Director of Education in Nevada.
• Winevision Academy SeoulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in South Korea providing sommelier education and preparation for CMS-A certification examinations.
• Institute of Culinary EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner integrating CMS-A certification into wine and beverage studies curriculum.
• In-Kind Donors (Wine and Beverage Suppliers)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVarious wine and beverage suppliers provide in-kind donations for educational courses: Treasury Wine Estates, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, illy, RNDC, VIAS Imports Ltd., Kobrand Wine and Spirits, Empson USA Inc., Marcarini, Pecchenino Le Coste, Giovanni Rosso, Sake One, Joto Sake LLC, Kome Collective, JFC International, Vine Connections, Loosen Bros USA, Old Bridget Cellars, Chambers Rosewood Vineyards, Penley Estate, Klein Constantia Estate, Wines of South Africa, Wines of Australia, Penfolds, Champagne Pol Roger, Frederick Wildman & Sons Ltd.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET): London-based global wine and spirits education body offering tiered certifications (Levels 1-4) widely accepted by employers. Directly comparable to CMS-A as a competing sommelier/wine credentialing scheme serving both hospitality professionals and enthusiasts, with a larger international footprint and a broader beverage scope (wines + spirits).
• Guild of Sommeliers: US-based nonprofit sommeliers' organization providing education, an online community, and tasting resources. Directly comparable to CMS-A Americas in mission (advancing sommelier knowledge) though it does not administer a multi-level credentialing exam program; both compete for the same candidate audience and industry sponsorship dollars.
• Society of Wine Educators (SWE): US-based organization offering Certified Wine Educator (CWE) and other wine-education credentials. Direct peer to CMS-A in the professional wine-credentialing space, with a focus on wine educators rather than floor sommeliers; competes for the same instructor and advanced-enthusiast candidate pool.
• International Sommelier Guild (ISG): International wine and sommelier education provider with multiple certification levels taught in classrooms worldwide. Direct peer of CMS-A in the sommelier-certification category, with comparable course/exam structure and overlapping target audience of working hospitality professionals.

Emerging players

• Wine Scholar Guild: Online-focused wine education organization offering French, Italian, and Spanish Wine Scholar certifications. Comparable to CMS-A in the sommelier-adjacent certification space; less focused on service/tasting mastery, more on regional wine knowledge; represents the online, lower-price-point competitive threat to CMS-A's introductory tier.
• Napa Valley Wine Academy: US-based WSET-approved program provider offering classroom and online wine certifications. Comparable to CMS-A as a US-based wine education body serving the same professional-and-enthusiast audience, but operating under the WSET umbrella rather than an independent credentialing scheme.
• Wine Folly: Digital wine education publisher offering paid courses, certifications, and consumer content. Comparable to CMS-A SommBIZ in the consumer/early-career wine business education category; represents a digital-first, lower-cost alternative that could pull entry-level candidates away from CMS-A's Introductory course.
• International Wine Center: New York-based wine school offering WSET certifications and hospitality-focused wine education. Comparable to CMS-A as a US-based sommelier/wine educator competing for the same Northeast US candidate pool and corporate group-enrollment business.

Broad incumbents

• Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI): International umbrella body for national sommelier associations that runs the Best Sommelier of the World competition. Comparable to CMS-A as a higher-tier sommelier-standard-setting organization, though it operates as a federation of national bodies rather than as a direct certification program.

Others

• Court of Master Sommeliers, Europe / Worldwide: The original UK-founded parent body (1977) from which the Americas chapter (CMS-A) spun out in 1987. Operates the same Master Sommelier Diploma Examination in parallel; effectively a sibling/affiliated body rather than a competitor, but the relationship is governance-relevant for any investor assessing CMS-A's structural independence and growth runway.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CMS_americas
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@courtofmastersommeliers
• Facebookfacebook.com/MasterSommeliersAmericas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-court-of-master-sommeliers
• Instagraminstagram.com/mastersommeliers_americas

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas