WineWise

What WineWise does

WineWise bv is a privately held Belgian WSET Approved Programme Provider founded in 2011 and headquartered in Antwerp, operating the only authorized WSET Level 4 Diploma programme in the Benelux. The company delivers internationally certified courses in wine, spirits, sake, and beer across WSET Levels 1 through 4, plus Capstone California courses, in three formats: fully online via the WSET Global Online Classroom, blended/classroom with in-person tastings at 14+ partner venues across Belgium and the Netherlands, and bespoke in-company training for corporate clients. Core teaching assets include the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting methodology and WineWise's proprietary LifeLong Learning platform, which supports L2+ alumni with ongoing masterclasses, tastings, and the WineWise Alumni Plus community; tasting samples for online learners are sourced via an e-tasting.com (Vinottes) partnership.

WineWise monetizes primarily through per-course tuition (€75 for Capstone Level 1 to roughly €730 for Level 2 Beer classroom, with corporate pricing on request), with secondary revenue from optional physical textbooks, remote invigilation surcharges (€75), and re-exam fees (€140). Free Level 1 Beer and reimbursed Level 2 Beer are delivered through a core partnership with Horeca Forma Vlaanderen (Paritair Comité 302), and Flemish SMEs can apply KMO-portefeuille subsidies to eligible classroom/blended courses. The business is operated by a small team of 1-10 employees led by Sybille Troubleyn (L4 Diploma and LifeLong Learning) and Piet Vannieuwenhuyse (L1-L3), supported by six WineWise Trainers (WWTs) holding DipWSET credentials across regional venues.

The customer base spans three primary segments: hospitality professionals (sommeliers, restaurants, hotels, wine bars), the wine and spirits trade (retailers, importers, merchants), and corporate in-company clients (minimum 12 participants). Notable alumni outcomes include multiple Master of Wine holders, Best Sommelier of Belgium, the Best Sommelier of the World 2026 representative for the Netherlands, and senior beverage industry roles at Ahold Delhaize USA, Scandic Hotels Denmark, and ABN AMRO.

Name

WineWise

Legal name

WineWise bv

Website

https://winewise.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WineWise bv is the authorized WSET Approved Programme Provider in the Benelux, delivering internationally certified wine, spirits, sake, and beer courses online, in classroom, and via in-company training for hospitality professionals, the wine trade, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine and Spirits Education / Beverage Training Services

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD)

Keywords

• Wine education courses
• WSET certification training
• Sommelier certification
• Spirits and beer courses
• Corporate beverage training

Headquarters

HQ city

Antwerp

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Tuition Fees: WineWise charges tuition fees for each WSET course enrollment (Level 1 through Level 4 Diploma, plus Capstone California). Fees vary by delivery format (online vs. classroom/blended) and include study materials and examination fees. Additional charges apply for remote invigilation exams (€75) and re-exams (€140).
2. Corporate/In-Company Training: Bespoke training programs delivered at client premises or WineWise's Antwerp location for corporate groups (minimum 12 participants). Pricing is quoted on request. This is described as WineWise's 'core business' and focuses on wine merchants, hospitality businesses, and companies needing wine knowledge among staff.
3. Study Materials and Optional Books: Optional physical textbooks (in Dutch, French, or English) can be purchased separately from online course enrollment. Study packs are provided as PDFs or e-books for Level 1 and 2; physical study packs for Level 3 are mailed via Bpost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WineWise is an authorized WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Approved Programme Provider delivering internationally certified courses in wine, spirits, beer, and sake at Levels 1 through Level 4 Diploma. Courses are sold to individual learners online, in classroom/blended formats at 14+ venues across Belgium and the Netherlands, and through customized in-company corporate training programs built around each client's product portfolio. The offering is supported by the proprietary WineWise LifeLong Learning platform and the WineWise Alumni Plus community for ongoing post-certification education.

Product overview

WineWise is a WSET-certified education provider in the Benelux offering internationally recognized wine, spirits, sake, and beer certification courses through a multi-format learning system. The core product portfolio consists of WSET qualifications across four levels (Level 1-4 Diploma) spanning wine, spirits, sake, and beer disciplines, plus Capstone California wine courses (Levels 1-2). WineWise delivers courses in three formats: fully online via the WSET Online Classroom platform, classroom/blended with in-person tastings, and in-company training tailored to business clients. The LifeLong Learning add-on module provides ongoing education, networking, and events for graduates from Level 2 onwards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WSET Level 1 Award in Wines Introductory WSET certification covering basic wine knowledge, grape varieties, and wine tasting fundamentals. Targeted at hospitality staff, wine enthusiasts, and newcomers to formal wine education.
• WSET Level 2 Award in Wines Intermediate WSET certification focusing on grape varieties, wine regions, production methods, and structured wine tasting using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting. Targeted at hospitality professionals and trade employees building formal wine credentials.
• WSET Level 3 Award in Wines Advanced WSET certification covering detailed wine regions, grape varieties, winemaking processes, and wine classification systems, with emphasis on tasting skills. Targeted at advanced sommelier candidates and trade professionals preparing for the Diploma.
• WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines Professional-level WSET Diploma recognized as the pinnacle of wine education, covering all aspects of wine knowledge, business, and research. WineWise is the sole provider in the Benelux; exams held centrally in Antwerp. Targeted at career-track sommeliers, trade executives, and Master of Wine candidates.
• WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits Entry-level WSET spirits certification covering production methods, main categories, and basic tasting. Targeted at hospitality staff, bartenders, and enthusiasts building spirits knowledge.
• WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits Intermediate WSET spirits certification covering global spirit categories, production methods, and flavor profiles with guided tastings. Targeted at bartenders, hospitality professionals, and spirits trade employees.
• WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits Advanced WSET spirits certification exploring detailed production methods, global spirit categories, and detailed tasting analysis. Targeted at advanced spirits professionals and educators.
• WSET Level 1 Award in Sake Introductory WSET sake certification covering Japanese rice wine production, categories, and tasting fundamentals. Targeted at hospitality professionals and sake enthusiasts.
• WSET Level 1 Award in Beer Entry-level WSET beer certification covering basic beer styles, production methods, ingredients, and tasting using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting. Targeted at hospitality staff, brewers, and enthusiasts; free for eligible hospitality employees via Horeca Forma Vlaanderen (PC 302).
• WSET Level 2 Award in Beer Intermediate WSET beer certification exploring diverse beer styles, brewing techniques, ingredients, and detailed tasting of at least 30 beers. Targeted at hospitality professionals and trade; eligible hospitality staff may receive Horeca Forma Vlaanderen reimbursement upon passing.
• Capstone California - Level 1 Introductory level of comprehensive California wine study from the California Wine Institute, covering California wine history, geography, and key grape varieties. Six hours online; accessible 7 days a week; groups of 15+ can request a tasting session. Targeted at wine enthusiasts and trade staff seeking California specialization.
• Capstone California - Level 2 Intermediate-level Capstone California program covering California wine regions, geographic factors, and winemaking fundamentals, including an obligatory tasting session in Antwerp, Gent, or Brussels. Twenty hours online plus a 2.5-hour tasting. Targeted at trade and enthusiasts pursuing California expertise.
• Bedrijfsinterne Opleiding (In-Company Corporate Training) Customized wine, spirits, beer, and sake training delivered at client companies using their own product assortment to motivate employees and improve sales. Minimum 12 participants per group; delivery at client premises or WineWise's Antwerp location; pricing quoted on request. Targeted at hospitality groups, retailers, and companies seeking to build staff wine/spirits expertise using their own portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates of WineWise have won national and international sommelier competitions including Best Sommelier of Belgium, Best Sommelier of the Netherlands, and 3rd place at Best Sommelier of the World.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ecole du Vin de Bordeaux (Bordeaux Wine School)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcole du Vin de Bordeaux is listed as a WineWise partner, likely facilitating cross-promotion or complementary wine education offerings between the two organizations in the Benelux region.
• Capstone California (California Wine Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWineWise is an authorized delivery partner for Capstone California, a comprehensive study program of California wines presented by the California Wine Institute. WineWise offers Level 1 (introductory, 6 hours online, €75) and Level 2 (intermediate, 20 hours online + tasting, €125) through its platform, with in-person tasting sessions in Antwerp, Gent, and Brussels.
• Brussels Beer Challenge / Luc De RaedemaekercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWineWise collaborates with beer specialist Luc De Raedemaeker of the Brussels Beer Challenge for all WSET beer qualifications (Level 1 and Level 2 Award in Beer). Luc serves as a WSET-certified Beer Trainer for WineWise and contributes beer-related content to the WineWise blog.
• Wine in ModerationminorOthersWine in Moderation is listed as a WineWise partner. This is a global wine industry initiative promoting responsible wine consumption and sustainable production practices.
• KMO-portefeuille (Vlaio)coreOthersWineWise is an approved training provider registered with the Flemish government agency VLAIO for KMO-portefeuille subsidies (Registration No. O109987). Flemish businesses can use KMO-portefeuille to offset course fees for eligible WineWise classroom/blended courses.
• Horeca Forma VlaanderencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHoreca Forma Vlaanderen is the official training organization for the hospitality sector (Paritair Comité 302). They channel eligible horeca employees to WineWise for free WSET Level 1 Beer and reimbursement for WSET Level 2 Beer upon passing. WineWise courses are listed on the Horeca Forma platform as approved training.
• SPA (brand)minorOthersSPA (a Belgian mineral water brand) is listed as a WineWise partner, likely providing water/sparkling water for tasting sessions at classroom courses.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wine Scholar Guild: Direct competitor offering structured wine education programs with certification, including country-specific and level-based curricula targeting wine enthusiasts and trade professionals. Like WineWise, it delivers self-paced online and guided study options with comparable price points.
• International Wine Center: New York-based WSET-approved program provider delivering Levels 1-4 Diploma courses. Direct peer as another WSET authorized provider operating in a comparable model (online, classroom, in-company) targeting hospitality professionals and enthusiasts.
• Society of Wine Educators: US-based wine education organization offering Certified Wine Educator, Certified Sommelier, and other credentials. Directly comparable to WineWise as a competing certification pathway for wine professionals, though with a US-centric curriculum and exam structure.
• Napa Valley Wine Academy: WSET-approved program provider in the US offering the full WSET curriculum from Level 1 through Diploma with classroom, online, and corporate formats. Operates with a comparable business model, certification authority, and target audience as WineWise.
• Court of Master Sommeliers: Global certifying body for sommeliers offering Introductory, Certified, and Master Sommelier qualifications. A direct competitor at the high end of wine service certification, with many WineWise alumni pursuing both WSET Diploma and Master Sommelier pathways.
• Capstone California (California Wine Institute): Wine education program presented by the California Wine Institute, for which WineWise is an authorized delivery partner. Direct peer as a regional specialty wine education offering (Levels 1-2) with comparable pricing (€75-€125) and audience overlap with WSET courses.
• École du Vin de Bordeaux (Bordeaux Wine School): Regionally branded wine education program that is also listed as a WineWise partner. Comparable as a curriculum-focused wine education provider with regional specialization, targeting similar hospitality and trade audiences but focused on Bordeaux-specific content.

Broad incumbents

• Le Cordon Bleu: Global culinary and hospitality education institution offering wine programs within a much broader curriculum (culinary arts, patisserie, hospitality management). Comparable as a higher-education brand in the hospitality space, with wine education as one offering among many.
• Culinary Institute of America (CIA): Leading US-based culinary and hospitality school with wine and beverage management programs integrated into broader culinary degrees. Comparable as an established education provider serving the same professional hospitality audience, though wine is one of many curricula.

Others

• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET): The parent organization that issues WineWise's curriculum and certifications. WSET is comparable as the source of the global standard in wine/spirits education that WineWise delivers, and its provider authorization model directly determines WineWise's addressable market and monopoly position.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/winewisest
• Facebookfacebook.com/WineWiseBE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/winewise
• Instagraminstagram.com/winewisebenelux

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 WineWise