Ecole des Vins et Spiritueux

What Ecole des Vins et Spiritueux does

École du Vin de France (formerly École des Vins et Spiritueux) is a French private wine and spirits education institution founded by Olivier Thiénot, operating from two physical school locations at 48 rue Baron Le Roy in Paris (headquarters, also referenced as Bercy Village) and in Lyon. The company delivers a portfolio of amateur tasting courses (priced €65–€125 per person for 2h30 to full-day sessions covering tasting fundamentals, French wine regions, Champagne, whisky, and rum) and professional certification programs (priced €195–€1,295 per person) spanning EVF's own French wine certifications (Levels 1–2, recognized by France's CNCP), authorized WSET Levels 1–3 in wines and Levels 1–2 in spirits, Champagne Specialist, non-alcoholic beverages, bartender training, and a "Sélectionner et Commercialiser des vins" program. Multiple programs are CPF-eligible via France's Mon Compte Formation platform. The business model is primarily direct-to-consumer: individual learners book via a public course calendar and redeem gift cards (bons cadeaux, €65–€125, valid 1 year) sold online, with a smaller B2B stream of bespoke on-site corporate training. Distribution is overwhelmingly in-person at the two French campuses, supplemented by a single online professional course (French Wine Level 1, 7 hours over 4 weeks).

The company's underlying technology stack is minimal: there is no proprietary platform, no AI/ML capabilities, and no disclosed API or SDK. Pedagogy relies on expert-led guided tastings (10 to 51 wines per program depending on tier), with content marketing support via "Le Mag" editorial, an A–Z wine glossary, and SEO-optimized course and region pages. Revenue mechanics are one-time course fees (pay-as-you-go per session) plus a subscription-format online course, with corporate training on a professional-services basis; pricing excludes VAT under French professional-training exemptions. Founder-owned with no disclosed institutional capital or funding rounds, the school reports having trained more than 20,000 individuals cumulatively and rebranded to École du Vin de France in April 2026 to amplify its positioning across French and international markets.

Name

Ecole des Vins et Spiritueux

Legal name

École du Vin de France

Website

https://ecole-vins-spiritueux.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

École du Vin de France is a French wine and spirits education school operating in Paris and Lyon, offering amateur tasting courses and WSET/EVF professional certifications to individual consumers, career changers, and corporate clients, with 20,000+ alumni trained.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine and Spirits Education

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Beverage & Mixology (Coffee, Tea, Wine, Cocktails) (EDAAAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bar & Beverage (Bartending/Mixology/Coffee/Tea) (EDAOAKAH), Beverage Craft Classes (Coffee, Tea, Mixology, Wine/Beer Education) (THAJAKAF), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Wine education services
• Wine tasting courses
• Sommelier certification
• Oenology training
• Spirits certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Amateur tasting courses: Single-session or multi-session tasting courses for wine and spirit enthusiasts, sold directly at price points from €65 to €125 per person.
2. Professional certification programs: Multi-day certification programs (French Wine EVF levels 1–2, WSET levels 1–3, spirits, Champagne, non-alcoholic beverages) sold at price points ranging from €195 to €1,295 per person, with partial or full funding available via CPF.
3. Gift cards (bons cadeaux): Pre-paid gift vouchers redeemable for a named course category, valid for one year, sold at €65 (Discovery), €105 (Grands Crus), and €125 (Journée Découverte).
4. Corporate / enterprise training: Custom on-site wine education courses for business clients, offered as bespoke training packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

École du Vin de France delivers wine and spirits education through guided tasting courses and professional certifications at schools in Paris and Lyon. Offerings range from amateur discovery sessions (tasting fundamentals, food-wine pairing, French regions, Champagne, whisky, rum) to multi-day professional programs, including its own EVF French wine certifications and internationally recognized WSET credentials in wines and spirits. Gift cards and bespoke corporate training round out the portfolio.

Product overview

École du Vin de France (formerly École des Vins et Spiritueux) is a wine and spirits education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of tasting courses and professional certifications. The school operates in Paris and Lyon with two main product lines: (1) Discovery Courses (Cours Découverte) for amateur enthusiasts covering tasting fundamentals, food-wine pairings, French wine regions, Champagne, whisky, and rum; and (2) Professional Training Programs (Formations Professionnelles) including EVF-certified French wine training (Levels 1 and 2), WSET certifications in wines (Levels 1-3) and spirits (Levels 1-2), Champagne Specialist, non-alcoholic beverages training, and bartender training. The school also offers Masterclass programs focused on classified Great Growths (Bordeaux and Burgundy), gift vouchers, and publishes educational content through its magazine. All programs combine theoretical knowledge with practical guided tastings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Les clefs de la dégustation (Initiation 1) 2h30 introduction to wine tasting fundamentals covering observation, smell, and description techniques through a selection of guided wine tastings; €65 per person.
• Les accords mets et vins (Initiation 2) Discovery of food and wine pairing principles through guided tastings, teaching the main association rules with a simple and concrete method.
• Le tour de France des vins (Initiation 3) Exploration of major French wine regions through a selection of emblematic wines, identifying main grape varieties, terroirs, and wine styles.
• Les essentiels du Champagne 2h30 Paris-only course discovering Champagne through guided tastings of emblematic cuvées, covering grape varieties, terroirs, and production methods; €65 per person.
• Journée Découverte du vin (Initiations 1 & 2) Immersive full-day combination of Initiations 1 and 2 (2h30 morning + 2h30 afternoon) tasting 10 wines; €125 per person.
• Les Grands crus classés de Bordeaux Masterclass discovery of classified Great Growths of Bordeaux through guided tastings of emblematic cuvées; €105 per person, Paris.
• Les Premiers et Grands Crus de Bourgogne Masterclass discovery of Burgundy Premier and Grand Crus through guided tastings of exceptional cuvées, covering climats, terroirs, and appellations.
• Les secrets du Whisky Discovery of major whisky styles through guided tastings of emblematic references, covering origins, production methods, and main whisky characteristics.
• Les secrets du Rhum Discovery of major rum families through guided tastings of emblematic rums, covering origins, production methods, and main rum styles.
• Les vins français - Niveau 1 (en présentiel) 1-day in-person professional training (12 guided tastings) discovering French wines, identifying main grape varieties, terroirs, appellations, and styles; €245 per person.
• Les vins français - Niveau 1 (en ligne) Online professional training over 7 hours across 4 weeks using interactive videos, virtual classes with instructors, and quizzes; €195 per person.
• Les vins français - Niveau 2 (en présentiel) 3-day in-person advanced training deepening knowledge of French wines through 39 guided tastings, mastering main vineyards, grape varieties, appellations, and wine styles; €745 per person.
• Les vins français - Niveaux 1+2 (en présentiel - CPF) 4-day comprehensive in-person training combining Levels 1 and 2 through 51 guided tastings; €1,095 per person; CPF-eligible.
• Champagne Spécialiste (en présentiel - CPF) 2-day in-person professional training exploring Champagne terroirs, grape varieties, and production methods through guided tastings; €595 per person; CPF-eligible.
• WSET en vins - Niveau 1 (en présentiel) 1-day in-person WSET Level 1 in wines delivered at the Paris school; €295 per person.
• WSET en vins - Niveau 2 (en présentiel) 3-day in-person WSET Level 2 in wines delivered at the Paris school; €795 per person.
• WSET en vins - Niveau 3 (en présentiel - CPF) 5-day in-person WSET Level 3 in wines for in-depth mastery of world vineyards, grape varieties, and wine styles; €1,295 per person; CPF-eligible.
• WSET en spiritueux - Niveau 2 (en présentiel) 2-day in-person WSET Level 2 in spirits exploring main world spirit categories through guided tastings; €755 per person.
• Conseiller et promouvoir des spiritueux (en présentiel - CPF) Professional training exploring main spirit families through guided tastings, mastering origins, production methods, and sensory profiles for advising and promoting spirits; €995 per person; CPF-eligible.
• Les boissons de dégustation sans alcool (en présentiel - CPF) Professional training discovering non-alcoholic tasting beverages (beers, dealcoholized wines, fermented drinks, mocktails); €945 per person; CPF-eligible.
• Formation barman Professional bartender training program for hospitality professionals.
• Bon cadeau Cours Découverte Gift voucher for 1 person, valid for 1 year, redeemable for any Discovery Course in Paris or Lyon including guided tastings by recognized experts; €65.
• Bon cadeau Masterclass Grands Crus Gift voucher for 1 person, valid for 1 year, redeemable for Masterclass Grands Crus in Paris with tastings of exceptional great wines; €105.
• Bon cadeau Journée Découverte Gift voucher for 1 person, valid for 1 year, redeemable for a full Discovery Day in Paris or Lyon with guided tastings led by a recognized expert; €125.
• Corporate / Enterprise on-site wine education Bespoke wine education (e.g., Tour de France des vins) delivered on-site at client premises for corporate team-building, sommelier training for restaurant staff, or staff wine knowledge development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ individuals trained
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Association France – Hong KongminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2017EVF director Olivier Thiénot was invited by the France-Hong Kong Association to speak at a conference on Champagne market development in Hong Kong at the OIV headquarters. The partnership supports EVF's visibility in Asian wine markets.
• WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEVF is an authorized WSET exam center offering WSET Levels 1–3 in wines and spirits. WSET is a UK-based global leader in wine and spirit education, providing internationally recognized qualifications. EVF's partnership enables students to obtain WSET credentials alongside EVF's own French wine certifications.
• CPF / Mon Compte Formation (France compétences)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSeveral EVF professional certification programs (French Wine Levels 1+2 combined, WSET Level 3, Champagne Specialist, Spirits Advisor, Non-alcoholic beverages) are eligible for financing through the French government's CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation). This partnership broadens access to professional certifications for French workers.
• Business FranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner on EVF's website footer. Business France is the French national agency supporting the international development of French businesses.
• Atout FranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner on EVF's website footer. Atout France is the French tourism development agency.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Sommelier Guild (ISG): ISG delivers sommelier certification programs worldwide with a strong in-person teaching model. Comparable to EVF because both monetize instructor-led sommelier certification pathways for hospitality professionals and career changers.
• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET): WSET is the global standard-setter in wine and spirit education and is both EVF's credential partner and direct competitor through its other Approved Programme Providers. Comparable because both monetize the same WSET certification framework and compete for the same learner pool.
• Wine Scholar Guild: Wine Scholar Guild delivers specialized country/region-focused wine certifications and study tours. Comparable to EVF because both monetize structured, multi-level wine certifications aimed at enthusiasts and trade professionals.
• Society of Wine Educators: Society of Wine Educators is a US-based wine and spirits education body offering the Certified Wine Educator credential. Comparable to EVF because both serve wine educators and serious enthusiasts pursuing formal teaching/service credentials.
• Court of Master Sommeliers: The Court of Master Sommeliers administers the most prestigious sommelier certifications globally. Comparable to EVF because both train wine professionals seeking top-tier credentials and serve the same sommelier/hospitality career-changer segment.
• Académie du Vin (de Paris): Académie du Vin is a Paris-based wine school offering amateur and professional wine courses. Comparable to EVF as a direct French competitor targeting the same Paris-resident amateur and professional learner base with similar tasting-based pedagogy.

Broad incumbents

• Le Cordon Bleu: Le Cordon Bleu is a globally recognized culinary and hospitality education institution that includes wine and beverage programs in its curriculum. Comparable to EVF as a broader incumbent whose wine/beverage programs overlap with EVF's professional training catalog.
• Culinary Institute of America: CIA is a leading US culinary school with a Wine & Beverage certificate program and the CIA Wine Studies concentration. Comparable to EVF as a broader culinary incumbent that competes for the same career-changer audience entering wine/hospitality.

Emerging players

• Wine Folly: Wine Folly is a digital-first wine education platform combining content, courses, and certifications. Comparable to EVF because it addresses the same amateur enthusiast demand but through online delivery rather than in-person tasting.

Regional players

• Bordeaux Wine School (École du Vin de Bordeaux / CIVB): The Bordeaux Wine School is the regional wine education program run by the Bordeaux wine council, with partner schools worldwide. Comparable to EVF as a wine-region-anchored education provider competing for French and international wine learners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/evs-ecole

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Ecole des Vins et Spiritueux