WSET Level 3 Award in Wines prepares you for advanced professional or scholarly pursuits by providing a detailed understanding of viticulture, winemaking techniques, and the intricacies of global wine regions. Upon completion, you will be able to assess wines accurately and confidently explain wine style and quality. Completion of Level 2 or comensurate experience/education is STRONGLY recommended.
The Walla Walla Valley Wine Academy operates as a satellite location of Linfield University. When you register for the WSET Level 3 course, you will be directed to Linfield University’s website to complete your enrollment and payment. Once registered, Linfield will provide all necessary textbooks and course materials, along with instructions for accessing the WSET student portal.
All in-person classes are held at the Walla Walla Valley Wine Academy, located at 212 E Alder Street in Walla Walla. Additional course details will be shared with students by the satellite coordinator.
WSET LEVEL 3
INFORMATION
Who should take WSET 3?
You’ve successfully completed the Level 2 Award in Wines—well done! Now you might be wondering what’s next?
WSET Level 3 is an exciting and rewarding challenge. You'll taste exceptional wines from across the globe—think Burgundy, Champagne, Margaret River, and Mendoza—and deepen your understanding of what’s in the glass. You’ll also meet like-minded peers who share your passion. That said, this course is a significant commitment. While many students succeed and thrive, it’s important to approach it with focus and preparation.
Whether you're a drinks industry professional or an experienced enthusiast, Level 3 is ideal if you’re ready to explore advanced topics like spur vs. replacement cane pruning or the differences between the Ancestral and Asti methods of sparkling wine production.
Exam and Certification
The WSET Level 3 exam consists of two parts: a theory exam with multiple-choice and short-written questions, and a blind tasting of two wines, requiring you to use WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) to evaluate and describe the wines.
The theory exam is a closed-book exam consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions and four short-written answer questions requiring detailed explanations. Focus knowledge includes viticulture, winemaking, wine styles, and global wine regions.
What will the course cover?
WSET Level 3 offers an in-depth, comprehensive exploration of the world of wine. You'll study a wide range of grape varieties and the styles they produce across key wine regions, as well as the factors that influence why wines taste the way they do. The course also covers sparkling and fortified wines in detail, along with a structured approach to tasting.
A central component of Level 3 is the WSET’s trademarked Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT), which helps you analyze and describe wines with precision. The SAT breaks down the tasting process into clear, step-by-step elements—making it easier to build confidence and consistency in your tasting notes. Mastering the SAT is a key part of the course and a valuable skill for anyone serious about wine.
How long is the course?
WSET Level 3 requires 30 hours of guided learning and a minimum of 54 hours of individual study.
Weekly Format:
Thirteen weekly sessions
Tuesedays 6-8:30pm
Final 2.5 hour exam held the following week, same day and time
Are there prerequisites for WSET 3?
Although WSET Level 2 in Wine is not required for this course, it is STRONGLY recommended. Students should have a strong grasp on global wine concepts as well as a basic understanding of winemaking and viticulture. Students must be 21 years of age at the date of enrollment
How much does WSET 3 cost?
Course Fee: $1400
The course fee includes an online course book, over 70 distinct wine samples, all experiments and supplies, instruction by a WSET Certified Educator, exam and a certificate & lapel pin upon successful completion
Materials Provided:
Textbook and workbook shipped approx. 2 weeks before the course begins
Wine and food samples for tasting
All exam and course fees included in registration