John, our founder, set up The Northern Wine School after working for the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, Majestic Wines. He loved it at Majestic – especially when he was teaching customers about wine. Helping people to be more confident, more curious and just more passionate about wine just felt great.
That’s the feeling that drives The Northern Wine School – and not just for wine; for spirits and sake, too. When he’s not running tastings or teaching courses, John likes to travel – to where the wine comes from, obviously. And the sake, and the spirits. He loves getting to know the vineyards, the families, the inner workings…
Thousands of people have experienced The Northern Wine School, many posting wonderful reviews on Google, on Trip Advisor and on Facebook which is heartening to see. We’re also really proud of the hundreds of qualifications we’ve helped people achieve – some for fun, others for a career-enhancing boost or simply to get onto that ladder.
John also lectures at universities, is an industry competition judge and is the first and only educator in the north to offer Sake events and qualifications. He’s also very qualified. Very!
Your drinks expert
WSET – The Wine and Spirits Education Trust – is one of the world’s leading and best-known providers of wine education. John holds WSET’s flagship qualification: The WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits, which places him amongst the world’s wine and spirits aristocracy. He is also a WSET Certified Wine Educator enabling him to teach level three WSET qualifications.
He has taught hundreds of people WSET qualifications and is proud of his 100% pass rate across all levels. He has also boosted staff qualifications at Selfridges, E&J Gallo Wines, Tanners Wine Merchants, Reserve Wines and Kingsland Drinks.
This is the only one where you could, but you can use those companies’ logos – maybe make this one (which is the main qualification) look a bit like a hero one and the rest are extras…
John is a French and Spanish Wine Scholar (having passed both courses with honours) and is an approved instructor for the Guild. This means he is able to provide the Guild’s renowned specialised certification programmes.
The world’s leading sake educator, The SSA (Sake Sommelier Association) has a global mission to increase knowledge and appreciation of this cultural icon. John is a Certified Sake Educator for the Association and is the first educator in the north of England to offer sake events and qualifications. He has also judged at the London Sake Challenge, Europe’s oldest sake contest.
The CIVC is the body that groups Champagne production and trade together under the direction of the French government. John is an official Champagne Educator for the body and teaches Champagne masterclasses at universities across the UK.
Note: he will soon become the exclusive provider of a specialist champagne qualification in the Northwest soon – so there will be another sentence or two added to this one.
This Spanish governmental body oversees the Sherry wines region of Andalucia in Spain. John is an official Sherry Educator and hosts Sherry wine masterclasses in various locations in Manchester.
John is an active member of this professional association of highly-qualified wine educators and is committed to furthering wine education in the trade and promoting interest amongst consumers.
We have provided drinks training for companies including:
We have provided tasting events for companies including: