We arrived in Bordeaux in late August 2025 to start full-time studies at the CAFA Wine School to pursue a “Diplôme de Conseiller en Vin,” or “Wine Consultant Diploma,” and professional title “Sommelier Advisor.” Before this, we had been traveling around France since April (See https://bonvivant365.com/).
Here’s what we thought about our experience at the CAFA Wine School.
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 offers in-depth training recognized by the French State and is registered with the RNCP under No. 38134 at Level 5 of the Training Framework. If you complete all the testing, you can earn a “Wine Consultant Diploma.”
Third, we received fine support throughout the entire application and visa extension process from CAFA Wine School.
Update:
We just wrapped up our time in Bordeaux and completed the CAFA Wine School program. Now we’re in Paris, getting ready to start the Ferrandi Paris Intensive Professional Program in French Cuisine, which will last four months. Here are our pros and cons of the CAFA Wine School program, along with a summary of what to expect.
PROS: CAFA Wine School
- We spent six months living in the Chartrons neighborhood of Bordeaux, 10 minutes from the school. It was a magical experience.
- The wine school’s training program is thorough.
- We attended about 10-12 conferences. Some were day trips to wine regions and winemakers, while others involved visits from winemakers or their representatives; fantastic exposure.
- A core instructor leads the class, and guest speakers often visit, which makes the experience even richer.
- We tried so many different wines—probably over 400, though I lost count. Tasting that many was really helpful for learning to taste wine in a structured way and for identifying different grape varieties and the wine’s origin.
- The class was international and small, with just 10 people; our classmates were well-educated, professional, and very friendly.
- It’s great value for money. You really get a lot for what you pay.
CONS: CAFA Wine School
- When we enrolled at CAFA Wine School, we believed we understood the requirements for obtaining the “Wine Consultant Diploma.” However, on the first day, we realized that our expectations did not align with reality. The school did not adequately communicate the program details during the registration process or prior to the program’s start.
- Approximately 25 percent of the program focuses on esoteric wine topics that are not relevant to the level of training, diploma requirements, or entry into the wine industry. Allocating this time to reinforce core knowledge already covered in the program would be more beneficial.
Wine Consultant Diploma Requirements
At the time of this blog post, to earn the Wine Consultant Diploma, which is officially recognized by the French Ministry, you need to do more than just attend classes and complete quizzes. There are also some additional requirements:
- Curate, publish, and print in book format a detailed wine and spirits list featuring 175 to 225 wines from around the world.
- Write, publish, and print in book format a 40 to 50-page paper on marketing and selling a wine of your choice.
- Write, publish, and print in book format a 10- to 15-page wine event paper.
- Attend at least 80% of your classes.
- Complete a rigorous two-day testing regimen at the end of the course, which includes several tests, including presenting your papers to an external jury and answering questions to assess your wine knowledge. If you do not pass the test, you may reapply to retake it next cycle if a spot opens up.
In addition to the required coursework, I recommend setting aside 8 to 10 hours of independent study each week to learn the material and do well on the weekly quizzes.
Summary
We would go to the CAFA Wine School again and recommend it to others. Before you sign up, check with the school about their current requirements, as these might have changed. This way, you will know what to expect from the start. If you are thinking about doing an internship, make sure to get clear answers from the school in writing about how the process works and the support they offer, so there are no misunderstandings.