Sommelier Training in Stockholm – A Guide
Stockholm offers a variety of sommelier training programs for those looking to become sommeliers – including full-time programs, part-time courses, and distance learning. Here we summarize available training in Stockholm, the organizations that issue certifications (such as WSET and the Court of Master Sommeliers) as well as the different certification levels and requirements to advance within them. All programs mentioned below are fee-based ("paid programs only") – see more at Vinjournalen.se.
Full-Time Programs (Vocational College)
For those who want to study full-time, there is a vocational college program in Stockholm:
International Sommelier – Restaurant Manager (Restaurant Academy)
A 1-year full-time program (200 credits) that combines theory with practice (16 weeks of internship)
Read more at Livets Goda
The training is free of charge (eligible for student aid) and developed in collaboration with the industry. It also includes international components – for example, certifications from Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) at levels 2 and 3 as part of the curriculum.
See also Instagram for current information.
The program is aimed at both aspiring sommeliers and future restaurant leaders, with elements of leadership, finance, and in-depth beverage knowledge.
More information can be found on Livets Goda.
(Note: this YH program has a limited number of places, and admission takes place through the YH system.)
Note that in addition to the above YH program in Stockholm, there is a 3-year bachelor's program, Sommelier and Meal Creator, at Örebro University (Grythyttan). This is an academic program focused on beverage knowledge and meal pairings, but is outside Stockholm and is free for students (funded by the university). However, for this guide, we focus on the Stockholm area and private/vocational programs funded by the participant. Read more at Vinguiden.
Part-Time Programs on Site in Stockholm
Several of the most popular sommelier schools in Sweden offer part-time programs in Stockholm. These are suitable for professionals or those who wish to study alongside their work. Often this involves instruction one day a week or on weekends over a longer period (e.g., one to two semesters).
Diploma Sommelier Program (Restaurangakademien)
Restaurangakademien's classic sommelier program has trained Swedish sommeliers for 40 years. It is a modernized part-time education that is typically conducted over two semesters. The program consists of four courses and includes WSET Level 2 and 3 as integrated parts, providing students with internationally recognized certifications in wine.
No prior experience is required to start, and the course is taught in Swedish (though the WSET course materials and examinations are in English). During the training, participants will taste numerous quality wines and delve into wine, beer, spirits, as well as food and beverage pairings.
Upon completion of the training (and passing the WSET exams), participants will receive the Restaurangakademien sommelier diploma and WSET Level 2 and 3 certificates. The total cost of the program is approximately 64,900 SEK excl. VAT (which includes course materials, beverage tastings, lunches, and examinations).
Restaurangakademien also offers the opportunity to continue towards WSET Level 4 Diploma for those aiming for expert level. Read more at Vinguiden.
Sommelier Training (The Wine Hub)
The Wine Hub (Scandinavian School of Sommeliers) offers a comprehensive sommelier training program in Stockholm that spans approximately 1 year (21 teacher-led training days).
The structure can be, for example, full days on weekends at regular intervals or a longer option with 29 half-days in the evenings. The course structure is clear from the start, so you are aware of all dates leading up to the exam.
During the training, over 255 high-quality wines are tasted, and the course materials are modern and divided into three parts. The Wine Hub employs some of Sweden's top wine professionals as lecturers.
After passing the final exam, you will be certified as a sommelier through The Wine Hub.
Price: From 55,000 SEK excl. VAT (approximately 68,750 SEK incl. VAT) for the basic package.
What makes The Wine Hub unique is that you can optionally add WSET Level 2 and 3 as part of the course – these are offered separately in English according to WSET standards for those who wish to receive WSET certification in addition to The Wine Hub's own diploma.
The Wine Hub's training is also recommended by the Swedish Sommelier Association, which testifies to the program's quality and industry relevance.
Sommelier Training Levels 1 & 2 (Vinkällan Beverage Education)
Vinkällan is a family business that has been providing sommelier training since 1998 and is today one of the largest sommelier schools in the Nordic region. Their program is divided into two levels:
Step 1 – Basic Wine and Beverage Education
16 weeks long with a total of 8 course sessions (approximately 60 hours of instructor-led time) at one of Vinkällan's study locations.
The course concludes with a written exam; a passing result provides a certificate of completion for the basic course.
Price: 27,900 SEK excluding VAT.
Step 2 – Advanced Continuing Education
About 30 weeks with 13 course sessions (approximately 100 hours of instructor-led time).
Here, knowledge of the wine world is significantly deepened.
Step 2 concludes with a comprehensive written examination as well as a blind tasting.
With a passing result, one receives the title Sommelier, along with Vinkällan's own diploma, sommelier pin, and a personally embroidered apron.
Price: 39,700 SEK excluding VAT.
Package Price for Step 1 + Step 2
For those who enroll in the entire package, a discounted package price is offered:
About 59,900 SEK excluding VAT (~74,875 SEK including VAT for both steps).
The education is given in Stockholm (as well as in other cities such as Gothenburg and Malmö) with course starts several times a year. Normally, sessions meet about every other week – for example, lectures are held on Sundays or some evenings – which means that Steps 1+2 together run for about one year.
No formal prerequisites are required for Step 1, but to take Step 2 it is necessary to have either completed Step 1 or possess equivalent basic knowledge. After completing the education at Vinkällan, one thus has a certified sommelier exam.
Vinkällan's diploma is reputable within the industry in Sweden, and they train sommeliers for both restaurants, wine trade, and import.
In addition to their own diploma program, Vinkällan also offers independent courses for international certificates such as WSET and Court of Master Sommeliers. Read more at Vinguiden or directly at Vinkällan.se.
Online Courses
For those who are unable to attend classes in Stockholm, there are several distance-based sommelier training programs. These are often self-paced online courses where you study theory independently through a digital platform, combined with home tastings, assignments, and online exams. The distance formats offer the flexibility to study at your own pace, either full-time over a shorter period or part-time alongside work.
Wine Legs Academy – Certified Sommelier (Distance)
Wine Legs Academy offers a fully web-based training program that corresponds to approximately WSET Level 1 and 2 in scope.
The course is divided into seven blocks (modules) that cover everything from viticulture and wine production to the most important wine regions and grape varieties. After each block, a partial exam is taken online. The training concludes with a certification exam, and participants who pass receive a certificate and the title Certified Sommelier.
The study pace is flexible – you can study at your own pace and entirely remotely without any physical meetings. A guideline is that it corresponds to about 8 weeks of full-time studies (or 16 weeks part-time) if following a normal study pace (Studentum).
Price: approx. 29,900 SEK (additional costs for wine for tastings) (Studentum). This training is well-suited for wine enthusiasts or professionals who need the freedom to study at unconventional times.
Academy Online – Certified Sommelier (Distance)
Academy Online is a platform for vocational training at a distance across many fields, including a sommelier course. The structure is similar to Wine Legs Academy: the course is studied entirely online at your own pace, without mandatory meetings.
The study time is estimated at about 8 weeks full-time (40 hours/week) or 16 weeks part-time, which is roughly equivalent to one semester of study. The content provides a foundational wine education and upon passing the final exam, you become Certified Sommelier through Academy Online.
Price: approx. 19,750 SEK (including VAT) (Studentum), making it a relatively affordable option.
This course is primarily aimed at beginners or those seeking their first sommelier qualification at a distance.
Other Distance Options
Some established schools offer partially distance-based programs:
Vinkällan Beverage Education offers its Step 1 as a digital distance course (DigWine) for those who want to study the foundational level online (Vinguiden). One can then build on with Step 2 on site.
WSET Certificate Courses can be taken remotely via online classrooms (exams are then taken at an approved examination center).
International Online Courses are available for those who are proficient in English, such as through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)'s own online studies or the International Sommelier Guild's web-based programs.
These options can be valuable, but keep in mind that any practical components (tastings, service exercises) may be difficult to fully grasp entirely online.
Regardless of which distance option one chooses, it is advisable to schedule personal practical training in wine tasting, for example by tasting wines at home or in local wine tasting groups, to complement the theory.
Certifications and Industry Organizations
No state license is required to formally become a sommelier – the title "sommelier" is used by those who possess deep beverage knowledge, often supported by diplomas/certificates. However, there are a number of well-known certification systems and exams within the wine and sommelier field that add weight to one’s resume.
The two most prominent international certification organizations are WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS), but other sommelier diplomas also exist. Below, we clarify the levels available within each certification and what is required to advance.
Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)
WSET is a British educational organization that issues perhaps the world's most widely recognized wine education certificates. The WSET courses focus on theoretical knowledge about wine (as well as spirits and sake in separate tracks) and sensory analysis, but do not cover restaurant service to the same extent as some sommelier courses.
The WSET certificates are divided into four levels of wine:
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines
A basic introductory course to the world of wine. No prior knowledge is required. The course provides an overview of the main wine types (red, white, sparkling), basic tasting methodology, and simple principles of food and wine pairing.
Typically a short course (e.g., 1–2 days or equivalent evenings) with a multiple-choice exam. Level 1 is suitable for those who are beginners in wine and want foundational knowledge with a first certificate.
WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
A comprehensive beginner/continuation course providing a broad overview of the wine world (Vinguiden).
The content covers:
Key grape varieties
Classic wine regions in both Old and New World
Basics of wine production
Advanced tasting techniques
No formal prerequisites (you can start directly at Level 2), but some basic wine experience is helpful. The course concludes with a multiple-choice exam.
Recommended for: Wine enthusiasts and individuals at the beginning of a wine or restaurant career (Vinguiden).
WSET Level 3 Award in Wines
An advanced certification that goes deep into viticulture, winemaking, and the world’s wine regions (Vinguiden).
The course includes:
Self-study and more comprehensive theoretical content
Theoretical exam (including written questions)
Blind wine tasting
It is strongly recommended to have WSET Level 2 or equivalent knowledge before Level 3 – many course organizers require a passing Level 2 result to allow enrollment in Level 3.
After Level 3, one possesses internationally recognized sommelier expertise that qualifies for work globally within the wine industry (for example, as a sommelier, wine buyer, educator). WSET Level 3 is also a prerequisite for certain higher education programs, such as the Master of Wine program and WSET Level 4.
WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines
The highest WSET award in wine. The Diploma is a two-year part-time expert-level program, divided into six modules (units) with in-depth examinations covering:
Wine production
The world's wine regions
Business knowledge in wine trade
Beverage analysis
To start the WSET Diploma, a passing WSET Level 3 is required (Vinguiden).
Target audience: Wine specialists aiming for leading roles in the industry – such as in wine import, top-level sommelier, wine journalism, or teaching (Vinguiden).
Completing the WSET Diploma is also the most common pathway towards the prestigious title of Master of Wine (MW).
Where can you take WSET in Stockholm?
WSET courses are offered through approved course providers.
In Stockholm, you can take WSET Level 2 and 3 as part of the Restaurangakademien program (Vinguiden).
WSET 2, 3, and Level 4 Diploma are also offered as standalone courses at The Wine Hub.
Furthermore, Vinkällan / Scandinavian Wine Academy offers WSET education separately (Scandinavian Wine Academy).
The instruction is usually conducted in English (according to WSET's requirements), but support in Swedish is available. WSET certificates are internationally recognized and serve as a valuable complement to practical sommelier credentials.
Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS)
Court of Master Sommeliers is an international organization founded in 1977 with the aim of raising the standard of beverage service in restaurants and hotels (Vinkällan).
CMS is primarily known for its multi-level certification, culminating in the title Master Sommelier (MS) – one of the most prestigious titles in the sommelier profession.
The CMS certification focuses on both theoretical knowledge of beverages and practical skills in restaurant service and blind tasting, making it especially relevant for professional sommeliers.
There are four levels within the Court of Master Sommeliers:
Level 1: Introductory Sommelier Certificate
The first step within CMS. It consists of an intensive 3-day course, which concludes with a written exam (Vinkällan).
The course covers:
Basic wine knowledge (grapes, regions, wine aging)
Spirits and other beverages
Wine tasting methodology
Basic service and sommelier skills
Prerequisites: No formal requirements, but some wine experience (equivalent to WSET Level 2 or 3) is recommended to keep up with the pace.
Upon passing the exam, you will receive the Introductory Sommelier Certificate, which confirms the foundational knowledge of a sommelier.
Level 2: Certified Sommelier
The next level builds on the Introductory certificate. To take the Certified Sommelier exam, one must first have completed the Introductory course.
The Certified exam tests three areas:
Theory – Written exam with deeper knowledge of wine and beverage.
Blind Tasting – Identification of wines.
Practical Service – Demonstration of sommelier skills, such as decanting, champagne pouring, and food & wine recommendations.
CMS expects candidates to have practical restaurant experience and to be comfortable with sommelier techniques.
Note: In some cases, the Introductory and Certified levels may be given in direct succession – some CMS courses allow top students from the Introductory course to attempt the Certified exam immediately after (Wine Source).
Level 3: Advanced Sommelier
The advanced sommelier level.
To apply to the Advanced Sommelier program, the following is required:
✅ Certified Sommelier certificate
✅ Several years of experience as a professional sommelier
CMS conducts special preparatory courses (often 5 days) before the exam, which tests:
Theory – In-depth knowledge of the entire wine and spirits world.
Blind Tasting – Identification of 6 wines in a short time.
Service Assessment – Service evaluation with high demands for perfection.
Difficulty:Low passing rate – requires intensive preparation.
Those who pass become Advanced Sommeliers and can then aim for the final step.
Level 4: Master Sommelier (MS)
The highest level within the Court of Master Sommeliers.
To attempt the Master Sommelier exam, one must have passed the Advanced exam and be approved by CMS into the process.
The MS exam is extremely demanding and is usually held once a year. It consists of three parts:
Theory – An encyclopedic level of wine and beverage knowledge.
Blind Tasting – 6 wines identified in 25 minutes.
Service Exam – Skill in sommelier techniques assessed by Master Sommeliers.
Difficulty level:Less than 300 people in the world have passed the Master Sommelier exam since its inception in 1969.
✅ MS-certified sommeliers often work as:
Head Sommeliers at top restaurants
Wine & Beverage Consultants
Trainers & Lecturers
High-level Wine Buyers
CMS in Sweden
CMS is primarily administered through its European section in London, but Sweden is one of the few countries in Europe where Introductory and Certified courses are held regularly.
Vinkällan (Scandinavian Wine Academy) is an official partner and offers the Introductory Course and Certified exam in Stockholm when enough participants enroll (Vinkällan).
✅ Examples:
Introductory Sommelier Course held in Stockholm on March 19–21, 2025 (Vinkällan).
Price:10,000 – 12,000 SEK for the Introductory course (including exam).
Certified exam has a similar or higher price.
Advanced & Master Exams:
For these levels, Swedish candidates typically must travel abroad (e.g., London or the USA) to participate in preparatory courses and take the exam.
All CMS certifications are completely in English and are conducted by Master Sommeliers appointed by the organization.
Other Certifications and Pathways
In addition to WSET and Court of Master Sommeliers, there are other certifications that may be relevant:
ASI Diploma (ASI Diploma)
The international sommelier federation Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) – of which The Swedish Sommelier Association is a member – also awards its own diploma for sommeliers. ASI organizes various prestigious sommelier world and European championships, but they also have a standalone certification exam that measures a sommelier's knowledge and skills according to a global standard (Vinjournalen).
ASI diploma certification is available at two levels:
Silver
Gold (the gold level requires higher scores)
The exams cover theory, practical components, and blind tasting, similar to CMS.
In Sweden, it is the Sommelier Association that usually arranges the opportunity to take the ASI exam for professional members. The ASI certification is a great complement for those already working as sommeliers who want to attain an international quality stamp without going through WSET or CMS.
Sommelier Diploma from Recognized Schools
Completing a diploma sommelier training at an established school (Restaurant Academy, Vinkällan or The Wine Hub) results in a sommelier exam.
These diplomas are often referred to as "diploma sommelier" or "certified sommelier", depending on the school, and are well-regarded in Sweden.
The difference from international certificates is that Swedish schools' diplomas are most known nationally, whereas, for example, WSET and CMS provide more international recognition.
Many Swedish schools collaborate with international certification organizations:
Restaurant Academy includes WSET levels
The Wine Hub offers WSET as an option
Vinkällan hosts CMS courses
This means that one can obtain both a Swedish diploma and international certificates in the same program.
Other Wine Education Programs
For completeness, it can be mentioned that there are additional educational programs in wine tasting and beverage knowledge.
Examples:
Wine Scholar Guild offers certifications such as French Wine Scholar (FWS), Italian Wine Scholar (IWS), etc., specializing in the study of each respective country’s wines.
Society of Wine Educators (SWE) offers Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Certified Wine Educator (CWE), most common in the USA.
International Sommelier Guild (ISG) has its own level-based online sommelier courses internationally.
These can be beneficial depending on the focus (especially for those who wish to work in wine education or specialization).
However, for a sommelier career in Sweden, the aforementioned paths – WSET, CMS, or a Swedish sommelier school – are the most common and relevant.
Advancing as a Sommelier – Summary of Requirements
In summary: the path to becoming a sommelier can be tailored to your goals. For basic knowledge, a part-time or distance course that provides a diploma as "certified sommelier" is sufficient.
If you want to gain deeper knowledge and international recognition, you can advance through the WSET levels up to Diploma or through the Court of Master Sommeliers level steps – but each level imposes higher requirements for study time, experience, and cost.
Below is a brief list of what is required to advance in various paths:
WSET Pathway
To reach the next level, you typically need to have completed the previous level (especially for step 3 → 4) and prepare for an increasing level of difficulty.
Examples:
No prior knowledge required for Level 1 and 2
WSET Level 3 assumes knowledge equivalent to Level 2
WSET Level 4 Diploma requires completion of the Level 3 certification (Vinguiden)
📌 Each step requires extensive self-study and examinations with higher demands on analysis and factual knowledge.
Court of Master Sommeliers Pathway
Here, each level must be completed before moving to the next.
Step-by-step:
1️⃣ Introductory (no previous exam requirement)
2️⃣ Certified Sommelier – Requires passing the Intro Certificate (Vinkällan)
3️⃣ Advanced Sommelier – Requires Certified Sommelier certification, several years of professional experience, and often a recommendation
4️⃣ Master Sommelier (MS) – Requires passing the Advanced as well as a formal application/approval from CMS
📌 Each step serves as a filter to determine which candidates are ready for the next challenge.
⚠️ Time investment is required!
Practical training in blind tasting and service skills is crucial, especially between Intro/Certified and up to Advanced.
Swedish Diploma Programs
For schools with segmented levels (e.g. Vinkällan), the following applies:
Level 1 is required to take Level 2 (unless you can demonstrate equivalent knowledge).
📌 Restaurangakademien's structure requires passing exams
(including WSET Level 2 and 3) to obtain the full diploma (Restaurangakademien).
📌 After obtaining the basic diploma, you can advance through experience
Many sommeliers, for instance, take WSET Level 3 after a few years in the profession if it was not included in their foundational training.
📌 The industry values both formal education and practical experience
To progress as a sommelier involves a combination of both:
✅ Courses and certifications
✅ More responsibilities in the workplace (e.g., wine list management, competitions, fairs)
In conclusion, the choice of educational path depends on your ambitions and life situation.
📌 In Stockholm, you can progress from beginner to advanced sommelier through various training and certifications.
📌 Regardless of whether you choose:
A classroom-based diploma program
International certifications such as WSET/CMS
A combination of both
Stockholm can offer the right platform for you to achieve your goal of becoming a high-level sommelier.
Good luck on your journey! 🍷