In late August 2025, we arrived in Bordeaux to attend the CAFA Wine School as full-time students pursuing a “Diplôme de Conseiller en Vin,” or “Wine Consultant Diploma,” and professional title “Sommelier Advisor,” after traveling in France since April (e.g., see my post “Alsace Wine Region: In a Nutshell“).
Why CAFA Wine School
First and foremost, location, location, location. Bordeaux, France, is one of the premier destinations for studying wine, thanks to its historical significance in viticulture, its renowned wineries, and its proximity to international trade events.
Second, the CAFA Wine School program fits our lifestyle and needs. Its “Wine Consultant Diploma” provides targeted, practical training. This qualification is recognized by the French State and is registered with the RNCP under No. 38134 at Level 5 of the Training Framework.
A “Sommelier Advisor” is responsible for supporting, advising, auditing, and developing a wine offering within hotels, restaurants, wine bars, retail stores, and large-scale distribution. The “CAFA Wine School “Wine Consultant Diploma was the right choice for us since we each already hold advanced degrees.
Third, we received outstanding support throughout the entire application and visa extension process. CAFA staff exceeded our expectations.
As I write this, we are in Larnaca, Cyprus. It is 2:33 AM. We will leave Cyprus at 5:00 AM (I hope my cab driver comes on time) and head back to our Airbnb in Bordeaux, France. Wine school starts on Monday, September 22, 2025.