The target group for sommelier training are companies and hosts, as well as employees from hospitality businesses who want to acquire wine knowledge or deepen their knowledge in an advanced course.

The target groups and admission requirements are determined independently by the schools. There may therefore be slight differences from school to school.
We therefore recommend contacting the school of your choice directly via our contact form or using the "Ask a question" button to get in touch with the right contact person - quickly, easily and without obligation.

Those who complete the Sommelier Training First Part receive the certificate Swiss Wine Sommelier® First Part / Swiss Wine Sommelière® First Part as well as the certificate from Wine and Spirit Education Trust London - WSET® Level 2 Award in Wine and Spirits. Those who also pass the second part receive the WSET® Award in Wine and Spirits Level 3 certificate in addition to the "Wine Sommelier" or "Wine Sommelière" qualification

A basic sommelier training course at GastroSuisse lasts 6 days plus one examination day. The Swiss Wine Sommelier® Second Part training course comprises 15 training days plus two examination days. Other training courses, e.g. by beverage type (water, beer, spirits) last 6 to 9 days within two months.

Anyone who has successfully completed sommelier training is able to taste wine professionally, determine the grape variety and describe the wine accurately. He or she has a good knowledge of viticulture worldwide and can explain the relationships between soil conditions, climate, region and grape or wine. He or she can also serve wine with style and possesses solid wine expertise.

Not only is it possible to train as a wine sommelier here in Switzerland, but for some time now expert training has also been available for other drinks, such as Swiss beer sommelier, Swiss spirits sommelier or even Swiss water sommelier.

For anyone interested in spirits, sommelier training in the field of spirits can be an extremely interesting continuing education, further training, but above all for employees from beverage companies, restaurant specialists, restaurant managers, management staff from restaurants and the hotel industry, for managers in the hotel and catering sector, for bar specialists as well as for bar staff and the chef de bar, such a course can advance their career in a very targeted manner.