The Texas Wine School

What The Texas Wine School does

The Texas Wine School (TWS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wine education organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Houston, Texas. It delivers in-person and online wine and spirits education to two primary customer groups: consumers seeking recreational wine knowledge and wine industry professionals pursuing internationally recognized credentials. Its core product is the full stack of WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certifications — Levels 1 through the Level 4 Diploma in Wines — delivered as an Authorized WSET Approved Program Provider since 2011. Complementary offerings include Wine Scholar Guild regional certifications (French, Italian, Spanish, German), a Sake Adviser course delivered via Sake School of America, single-session consumer classes ($65-$195) across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, and a Specialist of Texas Wine credential.

The school operates three physical points of presence — its own Houston campus at 2302 Norfolk Street and San Antonio campus, plus partner-venue classes at Somm Space in Austin, Envy Wine Room in Spring, and Texas Wine Collective in Fredericksburg — and an online delivery channel via the WSET Canvas Global Classroom. Technology is intentionally minimal: a Shopify e-commerce storefront handles registration and payment, with no proprietary platform, app, or API. Pricing is one-time/per-course across the catalog, with WSET Level 1 at $325 in-person, Level 2 at $775 in-person, Level 3 at $1,350 in-person, and the Diploma broken into units priced from $350 to $3,500 in-person; online tiers run roughly 15-25% below in-person.

The business model is nonprofit mission-driven: revenue funds operations and a need-based scholarship program that covers up to 85% of certification costs for eligible Texas wine industry workers. TWS is operated as part of the "AOC Collective" alongside Art of Cellaring (wine storage) and AOC Selections (retail wine shop), with shared executive leadership under Executive Director Liz Palmer and Director of Operations Brandon Kerne (Master Sommelier). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the website plus direct outreach for private events and corporate buyouts, supported by organic social, email, SEO, Yelp/TripAdvisor listings, and Houston Sommelier Association sponsorship.

Name

The Texas Wine School

Legal name

The Texas Wine School

Website

https://thetexaswineschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Texas Wine School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wine education organization that delivers WSET certifications (Levels 1-4 Diploma), Wine Scholar Guild regional programs, and consumer wine classes across Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and online, serving both wine enthusiasts and wine industry professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Education Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Beverage Craft Classes (Coffee, Tea, Mixology, Wine/Beer Education) (THAJAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bar & Beverage (Bartending/Mixology/Coffee/Tea) (EDAOAKAH), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD)

Keywords

• Wine education
• WSET certification courses
• Wine tasting classes
• Spirits certification
• Wine cellar consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. In-Person Wine Education Classes: Revenue from single-session consumer classes ranging from $65-$195, held at company locations in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Classes include wine tasting basics, comparative tastings, masterclasses, and regional wine explorations.
2. WSET Certification Courses: Multi-week certification courses with WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust). Level 1 courses priced at $325 in-person / $275 online; Level 2 at $775 in-person / $625 online; Level 3 at $1,350 in-person. Prices include tuition, study materials, and exam fees. Additional resit fees apply ($50-$150 depending on level).
3. WSET Diploma Program: Advanced Level 4 Diploma in Wines comprising 6 units (D1-D6). In-person pricing: D1 $1,550, D2 $750, D3 $3,500, D4 $975, D5 $975, D6 $350. Online pricing is lower (D1 $1,200, D2 $600, D3 $2,500, D4 $775, D5 $775, D6 $350). Includes one-time registration fee ($375-$450) valid for three years.
4. Wine Scholar Guild Certifications: Regional specialization courses including French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Scholar (Northern and Central/Southern modules at $900 each), Spanish Wine Scholar, German Wine Scholar, and Italian Wine Essentials. Prices vary by program.
5. Private Events and Corporate Hosting: Revenue from hosting private events, corporate gatherings, and full buyouts at the Houston facility. Options for exclusive VIP wine experiences. Pricing depends on event date, location, and group size.
6. Gift Certificates: Prepaid gift certificates sold in denominations of $75, $95, $100, and $325. Customers purchase certificates which are redeemed for classes.
7. Exam Fees and Resits: Separate exam registration fees ranging from $35-$850 depending on exam type and level. In-person exams at $35 (Level 1), $150 (Level 2). Diploma exams higher: D1 $200, D2 $200, D3 $850, D4 $300, D5 $300, D6 $200. Unused exam fees of $35 apply for late cancellations.
8. Wine Cellar Management Consulting: Advisory service for wine cellar management including inventory assessment, strategy development, and recommendations. Customers receive personalized reports and cellar evolution plans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Texas Wine School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wine education organization that delivers structured WSET certification courses (Levels 1 through 4 Diploma), Wine Scholar Guild regional certifications (French, Italian, Spanish, German), Sake Adviser certification, single-session consumer wine classes, private/corporate wine events, and wine cellar management consulting across Houston, San Antonio, and Austin campuses plus an online channel. Course offerings include tuition, study materials, guided tastings, and exam administration, with need-based scholarships covering up to 85% of certification costs for eligible Texas wine industry workers.

Product overview

The Texas Wine School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wine education organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of certification courses and consumer classes. The core offering centers on WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification programs spanning Level 1 through Level 4 Diploma, including specialized units in Wine Production, Wine Business, Wines of the World, Sparkling Wine, Fortified Wine, and Independent Research. Complementing WSET are Wine Scholar Guild regional certifications for French, Italian, Spanish, and German wines, plus the Sake Adviser Certification Course. Consumer education includes single-session classes covering regional wines, comparative tastings, and food pairings across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio locations. Additional services encompass private event hosting, wine cellar management consulting, wine storage through an Art of Cellaring partnership, scholarship programs funding up to 85% of course costs, and gift certificates. The school operates both in-person and online delivery formats with exams administered separately.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WSET Level 1 Award in Wines

Quantifiable outcome

• WSET Level 4 Diploma recognized internationally and fulfills prerequisites for Master of Wine program
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, primary and secondary.

• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSET Approved Program Provider since 2011. The Texas Wine School offers all WSET wine and spirits qualifications: Level 1 Award in Wines, Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits, Level 3 Award in Wines, and Level 4 Diploma in Wines. TWS provides classrooms, instructors, study materials, guided tastings, and exam administration for WSET candidates. WSET is a UK-based educational charity and the largest global provider of wine education with 100,000+ examination candidates annually across 72 countries and 17 languages.
• Wine Scholar GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthorized provider of Wine Scholar Guild certifications including French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Scholar (Northern and Central/Southern Italy modules), Spanish Wine Scholar, German Wine Scholar, and Italian Wine Essentials. TWS provides in-person instruction and exam administration for these specialized regional wine certifications.
• Art of Cellaring (AOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located facility at Houston headquarters. AOC provides secure, temperature and humidity-controlled wine storage with 24/7 biometric access to private lockers, plus a 1,000 sq ft private member lounge. TWS shares space with AOC, and Executive Director Liz Palmer is managing partner of both entities.
• Somm SpaceprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustin-based wine education venue hosting TWS WSET and consumer classes. Located at 2579 Western Trails Blvd. Suite 240, Austin, TX 78745. TWS holds classes at this partner location for Austin market students.
• Envy Wine RoomsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpring, TX wine venue hosting occasional TWS classes (WSET Level 1 and Level 2). Classes at this location are clearly labeled 'Spring' or 'Envy Wine Room' in the course title. Located at 126 Midway St., Spring, TX 77373.
• Houston Sommelier AssociationprimaryGTM or Marketing PartnerTWS sponsors the Houston Sommelier Association, which is dedicated to fostering education, community, and professional growth for wine professionals and enthusiasts. HSA creates opportunities to learn, share, and celebrate wine culture. HSA calendar and events are hosted on the TWS website.
• Texas Wine CollectivesecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFredericksburg, TX wine venue occasionally hosting TWS classes. Located at 10354 US-290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624. Extends TWS presence to the Texas wine country region.
• Sake School of AmericasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstructor Atsuko Glick from Sake School of America leads the Sake Adviser Certification Course at TWS. This one-day certification covers sake history, brewing methods, tasting, and food pairing with 13 sake samples.
• AOC SelectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail wine shop co-located at Houston campus. Executive Director Liz Palmer is managing partner. Part of the AOC Collective trio of wine companies along with The Texas Wine School and Art of Cellaring.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET): UK-based global wine education charity and the credentialing body whose certifications TWS delivers. While TWS is an Approved Program Provider under WSET, WSET itself is the broader industry standard-setter whose curriculum, exams, and brand TWS depends on for product credibility.
• Court of Master Sommeliers: International body administering Master Sommelier certification, the premier wine trade credential. TWS instructors hold CMS certifications but TWS itself doesn't deliver CMS exams; it operates in the adjacent credentialing ecosystem targeting similar trade professionals.
• Wine Scholar Guild: US-based wine education organization offering regional specialization certifications (French, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.). TWS delivers Wine Scholar Guild programs, but the Guild itself is the credentialing body whose brand and curriculum TWS leverages for its regional certification revenue.

Direct peers

• Capital Wine School: Washington DC-area wine education school offering WSET certifications and wine enthusiast classes. Comparable mid-sized regional WSET provider with similar geographic multi-city strategy and consumer/trade dual audience.
• Boston Wine School: Massachusetts-based wine education school offering WSET, Certified Wine Specialist, and consumer classes. Another similarly sized regional WSET-approved school serving both trade and consumer audiences with comparable class formats.
• International Wine Center: New York-based wine and spirits education school offering WSET certifications and consumer classes. Most comparable to TWS as a regional WSET Approved Program Provider with multi-level certification offerings serving both trade professionals and consumers.
• Napa Valley Wine Academy: Wine education provider offering WSET certifications and specialized programs. Operates as a competing WSET Approved Program Provider in California with similar diploma and consumer class structure, targeting both professionals and enthusiasts.
• San Francisco Wine School: California-based wine education school offering WSET certifications, wine scholar programs, and consumer classes. Direct peer with similar WSET-approved multi-tier certification model, comparable instructor credentials, and a parallel consumer-vs-trade offering structure.

Emerging players

• Wine Folly: Digital-first wine education platform offering online courses, certifications, and consumer content. Reaches a much larger audience via online distribution and competes with TWS for self-paced wine learners, though it lacks the in-person, multi-tier WSET certification model.

Others

• Master Wine Tasters Guild / Society of Wine Educators: US-based wine educator credentialing body offering Certified Wine Educator (CWE) and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) credentials held by multiple TWS instructors. Operates as adjacent credentialing ecosystem rather than direct competitor, but its certifications enable similar professional career advancement pathways.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TexasWineSchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/thetexaswineschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/txwineschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-texas-wine-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 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 The Texas Wine School