Bourgogne Masters
The most respected and complete certification program on the wines of Bourgogne.
175 global graduates
Program Overview
The pinnacle in wine education, the Wine Scholar Guild presents the Bourgogne Masters Program.
Accredited by the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB), WSG's Bourgogne Masters Program is led by the most esteemed names in wine including:
Andrew Jefford (WSG Academic Advisor, contributing editor and columnist for Decanter and World of Fine Wine; author, The New France)
Robin Kick MW (journalist, judget and independant consultant)
Jasper Morris MW (seminal author, Inside Burgundy)
Frédéric Barnier (Technical Director, Louis Jadot)
Jeremy Seysses (co-proprietor, Domaine Dujac) and more...
This certification was created for the most passionate wine enthusiasts and professionals, offering the most comprehensive deep dive into the history, terroir, and timeless art of Bourgogne winemaking with interviews and lectures from some of the most prolific names in wine.
This certification program culminates with a final exam and Bourgogne Masters designation, elevating your expertise while catapulting you to the forefront of Bourgogne wine mastery.
Prefer to study in the region?
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn your Bourgogne Masters certificate in Beaune, France.
What's Included
Navigate the labyrinth of Bourgogne and Burgundy wine with a library of resources covering history, geography, topography, climate, terroir, viticulture, winemaking, vintages, appellations, classifications, noteworthy producers, culture, tradition and more.
358-page Study Manual
You will receive a printed and e-book version of the 358-page fully-revised Bourgogne Masters comprehensive study manual, along with a list of recommended wines to sample on your own or in a tasting group.
A 358-PAGE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY MANUAL
The Bourgogne Masters study manual is a combination of the content of “The Wines of Burgundy” (14th edition) by Sylvain Pitiot and Jean-Charles Servant with WSG insights and perspective.
These materials have been amassed into a single book and the student is given three voices within one manual and an opportunity to look at Bourgogne from the standpoint of very different yet complimentary assessments. The goal of this approach is to paint a multi-dimensional view of a multi-faceted wine region.
Through both presentation of hard fact and philosophical mindset, the manual will comprehensively cover:
- Viticultural history
- Geology, topography, soil layers
- Climate
- Grapes and the vine
- Burgundian grape growing practices
- Burgundian winemaking practices
- Vintages
- All sub-regions and all appellations
- Terroir as expressed in climats and lieux-dits
- Wine villages; grands crus & premiers crus
- Wine trade, wine statistics, industry trends
- PLUS: Detailed maps for each village
Recorded Lectures
Access more than 40 on-demand lectures covering topics spanning Bourgogne's history, geology, viticulture and winemaking practices, terroirs, vintages and significant producers of the region.
MORE THAN 35 RECORDED LECTURES ON BOURGOGNE'S HISTORY, GEOLOGY, VITICULTURAL AND WINE MAKING PRACTICES, TERROIRS, VINTAGES, AND SIGNIFICANT PRODUCERS OF THE REGION.
Students will study the history, geology, viticulture and winemaking practices, terroirs, vintages and significant producers of the region via more than 35 recorded lectures. Content has been divided into shorter segments to minimize screen time and maximize content retention.
Course content is divided in tracks with strong focus on producers:
- Regional context: history, viti/vini practices, wine law
- Terroirs: climate, geology, sub-regions and their appellations
- Producers: historic, leading & new generation
- Vintages
Live Classes & Student Community
Join live monthly lectures with your instructors. Classes are always recorded for on-demand replay in case you can't join live. You can also discuss the course content with your instructors and fellow students anytime on the community forum.
Video Interviews
To supplement your learning, enjoy video interviews hosted by the acclaimed Andrew Jefford. Meet experts from the region that take a deep dive into the current trends, challenges and opportunities for Bourgogne.the acclaimed Andrew Jefford hosts a series of
interviews with experts from the region that take a deep dive into the current trends,
challenges and opportunities for Bourgogne.
A SERIES OF VIDEO INTERVIEWS BY ANDREW JEFFORD WITH SOME OF THE MOST ADMIRED EXPERTS OF THE REGION
JASPER MORRIS MW
Bourgogne Author and Expert
Jasper Morris MW is a British Master of Wine since 1985, known particularly for his expertise on Burgundian wines. He began his wine career in 1979 when he joined the UK Wine Trade with Birley & Goedhuis, and later co-founded Morris & Verdin in 1981, which became known as the UK's leading Burgundy importer during the 1990s. The company was sold to Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) in 2003, where Morris worked as the Burgundy Director from 2004 to 2017. He is also an author, with his notable work being "Inside Burgundy", and has interests in other pinot-producing countries like New Zealand, alongside emerging wine industries in China and Japan
JEREMY SEYSSES
Domaine Dujac
Jeremy Seysses is associated with Domaine Dujac, a Burgundy wine producer run by the Seysses family. The domaine was founded by Jeremy's father, Jacques Seysses, in 1967, with its first release in 1969. Currently, Jeremy, along with his brothers Alec and Paul, and his wife Diana, largely runs Domaine Dujac. Jeremy also established a small-scale négoce business known as Dujac Fils & Père in 2000, which has contributed to the expansion of Domaine Dujac's holdings over time, including the acquisitions of unique vineyards and leased vineyards in different regions of Burgundy
FRÉDÉRIC BARNIER
Technical Director of Louis Jadot
Frédéric Barnier joined Maison Louis Jadot in 2010 as the Technical Director, succeeding the legendary winemaker Jacques Lardière. Under Lardière's mentorship, Barnier took over the responsibilities of winemaking and bottling for all Maison Louis Jadot wines. Barnier's approach to winemaking emphasizes allowing the terroir and wines to express themselves without being overshadowed by a winemaker's style. Before becoming the Technical Director, Barnier joined Louis Jadot in 2004 and worked as an assistant to Lardière until taking over the winemaking team in 2010, following Lardière's retirement
Final Exam
Online, proctored exam sit to be scheduled within one year of your registration.
ONLINE, PROCTORED EXAM SIT
The exam is comprised of three separate sections: 50 multiple-choice questions (worth 50 points), four short-answer essay questions (worth 40 points total) and a map identification exercise (worth 10 points). Passing score is 75/100. The exam questions and essay topics are taken from the Bourgogne study manual and online lectures. The map exercise asks students to identify ten features on a map of Champagne (rivers, cities, sub-regions, topographical features etc.) Practice maps are available on the online classroom.
Certificate
Upon passing, receive your coveted Bourgogne Masters certificate. Add this reputed credential to your LinkedIn profile and résumé or CV.
Why People Choose Bourgogne Masters
Tanya
"The master level programs in general make me a better teacher, and I hope will translate into more success for my students in not just the French Wine Scholar courses, but in all the classes I teach."
Tanya Morning Star
Faculty at Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College
WSET Diploma, FWS, IWS, Certified Specialist of Wine CSW
Dr Matias
"The WSG program offered a unique experience to get a deep understanding of the world’s most fascinating wine region."
Dr. Matthias Schmusch
Wine Blogger
WSET Diploma
Kari
"The Master-Level program allowed me to take a more general understanding of wine and focus on a specific area and type of wine. I love understanding how the history, natural attributes and culture of a given place shape its wines."
Kari Dawson
WSET Level 3, Certified Specialist of Wine CSW, Certified Specialist of Spirits
Jake
"This program has given me the confidence to sell, buy, and discuss wines from a region that most seasoned wine professionals find intimidating"
Jake Skakun, Bourgogne ML
Grey Gardens
General Manager, Wine Director
WSET Diploma, International Sommelier Guild Diploma
Detailed Schedule
Enjoy the flexibility of on-demand lectures with the dynamic engagement of live online sessions, enhancing your mastery over this intricate and highly complex region. All live sessions are available on replay after they air live.
Monthly Focus Topics | Month | |
|---|---|---|
1 | Welcome & Orientation Come meet your instructor for an overview of the course structure and schedule. You will learn about all of the resources and where to find them. Your instructor will also outline study tips for success and speak briefly about the final exam. In the meantime, get to know your fellow classmates or form a local tasting group in the dedicated space just for you on the WSG Community. Your live Welcome & Orientation session takes place on September 10, 2024 at 12:00 noon ET (recorded for on-demand viewing if you can't join live). | September 2024 |
2 | Bourgogne Overview Gain context and framework for your Bourgogne studies. Get the lay of the land starting with the history of the region, viticultural and winemaking practices, regional geology and the regional AOCs. Gain a better understanding of why the wines of Bourgogne are just so special and sought after. This unit of study concludes with a live session on October 29, 2024 at 12:00 noon ET (recorded for on-demand viewing if you can't join live). | October 2024 |
3 | Chablis and Grand Auxerrois Take your first deep dive into a specific sub-region and starting the northern end of Bourgogne. Build on last month by examining the specific geology and the terroirs of the AOCs found here. We also have our first sessions that explores the vintages and producers of this sub-region. This unit of study concludes with a live session on November 26, 2024 at 12:00 noon ET (recorded for on-demand viewing if you can't join live). | November 2024 |
4 | Côte de Nuits During this month of study, take a virtual journey to the Côte de Nuits, land of the most expensive wines in the world, where we investigate the specific geology, terroirs, vintages and producers of these fabled villages. Included are sessions on every village level AOC. This unit of study concludes with a live session on January 8, 2024 at 12:00 noon ET (recorded for on-demand viewing if you can't join live). | December 2024 |
5 | Côte de Beaune We continue our march south and discover what is unique about the Côte de Beaune - just how is it different from the Côte de Nuits, with which it is often coupled? Geology, terroirs and vintages are all explored - as is the role of the négociant, an important player in the Bourgogne wine trade. This unit of study concludes with a live session on January 28, 2024 at 12:00 noon ET (recorded for on-demand viewing if you can't join live). | January 2025 |
6 | Côte Chalonnaise and Maconnais & Exam Preparation Our studies wrap-up in the southern reaches of the region with the Côte Chalonnaise & Mâconnais, where we find some of the most innovative and exiciting things happening, as well as many rising-star producers offering value. In addition to sessions on geology, terroir and producers, we pause to consider the commercial position of these sub-regions and their often overlooked quality potential. This session also includes what to expect on the exam and tips for success. This unit of study concludes with a live session on February 25, 2024 at 12:00 noon ET (recorded for on-demand viewing if you can't join live). Preparing for the Exam You will take your exam online when you are ready. While there are benefits to keeping the momentum going and writing shortly after the session finishes, you have a full year from your enrolment date to take the exam. | February 2025 |
Your Instructors
Study under true Bourgogne experts and masterful instructors.
Your lead instructor: Sharon McLean
• French Programs Director at WSG.
• Certified Sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild.
• Teaches WSG and WSET courses on Vancouver Island and is a freelance wine writer and wine judge.
• Completed the Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust® with the highest marks in Canada in 2009.
Robin Kick, Master of Wine
• Independent wine consultant, journalist, educator and wine judge.
• Studied at the BIVB (Bureau Interprofessionel des Vins de Bourgogne) in Beaune, the Université du Vin in Suze-la-Rousse in the Rhône Valley and the WSET.
• Previously worked as a Wine Auction Specialist for Christie’s in Beverly Hills, California and Fine Wine Buyer for Goedhuis & Co., a London-based wine merchant with an award-winning Burgundy list.
• Became a Master of Wine in 2014 with a dissertation on whole cluster fermentation in Pinot Noir from the Côte d’Or.
Andrew Jefford
• Wine writer since 1988.
• Author of The New France, Whisky Island, Andrew Jefford's Wine Course.
• WSG Academic Advisor
• Contributing Editor and columnist for Decanter and World of Fine Wine.
• Winner of 8 Glenfiddich Awards and 8 Roederer Awards
• French resident (Montpellier) since 2010.
Donald P. Kinnan CSS, CWE
• Over 35 years in the fine wine trade.
• Spent over 20 years as the Director of Education at Kobrand Corporation, a family-owned wine importer, vineyard owner, and marketing company.
• Cited by the US Government for his role as founder of the Society for American Wines in Canada.
• Recognized by the French Government and designated “Chevalier dans l’Ordre du Merite Agricole”.
• Served as board member of the Society of Wine Educators.
Tim Magnus
• Wine educator with over 10 years of experience.
• Founder of Magnus Vinum with the vision of offering high-level Burgundy education.
• Magnus Vinum has evolved to also import a number of Burgundy domaines.
• WSET Level 4 Diploma.
• Official Bourgogne Wine Ambassador.
Françoise Vannier
• Consulting geologist, specializing in the terroirs of France’s wine regions, and most notably those of Bourgogne.
• Produced several preliminary technical reports to reclassify certain plots at a higher appellation level.
• Instructed at the University of Burgundy, Burgundy School of Business, Lycée Viticole de Beaune and ISARA.
• Contributor to the geological chapters in Remington Norman’s (UK) book “Grand Cru”, “Le Rouge & Le Blanc”, “La Revue des Vins de France”, “Le Magazine of Ficofi”.
• Author of the cross-sectional geological maps in “The Wines of Burgundy” by Sylvain Pitiot and Jean-Charles Servant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wine professionals, including sommeliers, food & beverage directors, servers, wine educators, distributor representatives, and importers, looking to enhance their expertise in Bourgogne's appellations, both sparkling and still.
Enthusiasts of Bourgogne seeking a comprehensive education in viticulture, winemaking, history, and the unique people behind this renowned wine region.
Individuals desiring the ability to confidently discuss and provide exceptional service and guidance about Bourgogne, encompassing both its regional and wine aspects.
WSG Masters programs go a step further than the Wine Scholar programs by focusing on a single wine region. This focus gives advanced students the opportunity to develop an area of specialization and expertise. Students can currently gain internationally recognized certification in the regions of: Bordeaux, Bourgogne and Champagne.
Have a different question? Feel free to contact us.