Category: Behind the Scenes

Introduction

If you’re curious about wine and want a solid place to start, the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is designed exactly for that. I took the one-day course with Napa Valley Wine Academy in June 2025 at the Epicurean Hotel in Tampa, and this is what the experience was like, from class structure and tasting exercises to the exam at the end.

Course Overview

Name

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines In-Person Tampa

---

Location

📍 Epicurean Hotel, 1207 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

The course was held in the Theatre Room at the Epicurean Hotel, a boutique property in South Tampa’s Hyde Park district. Valet parking was included with registration, and the classroom was easy to find just off the main lobby.

---

Provider

Napa Valley Wine Academy (Tampa satellite since 2014)

---

Cost

$423*

*As of June 2025

---

Format

One-day intensive course:

• 10:00am – 5:00pm (with the exam starting around 4:00pm)
• Six hours of coursework, 45-minute exam

---

Lunch Options

Lunch was included and served by the hotel. Options included falafel and hummus, pea soup, a Mediterranean Caesar with chicken, and a smashburger with fries.

Course Content

What’s Covered

Morning

• Session 1: An Introduction to Wines
• Session 2: Understanding the Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT)

Lunch Break (45 minutes)

Afternoon

• Session 3: Storage and Service
• Session 4: Food and Wine Pairing
• Mock Exam
• Final Exam (30 multiple-choice questions)

---

Materials Provided

• Pre-course digital PDF
• Course booklet and tasting grid (given on-site)

---

Class Atmosphere

Student Mix

The group was a blend of industry professionals and casual wine enthusiasts, including a few students exploring wine for future retirement plans or personal enrichment.

Vibe in the Room

The tone was relaxed but focused—questions were encouraged, and no one was made to feel out of their depth. Students were engaged, taking notes, sharing impressions during tastings, and chatting during breaks.

Pacing & Participation

The pace was steady and structured, with natural pauses built in for discussion and tasting. It never felt rushed, but the one-day format kept things moving. Participation was low-pressure; students could speak up during tastings or simply listen and follow along. Throughout the day, mini quiz questions were presented on the TV screens to reinforce key concepts, with students calling out answers as a group.

---

Instructor Spotlight: Laura Tamayo

Laura Tamayo was approachable, friendly, and highly knowledgeable. She encouraged questions and kept the class engaging and accessible. She holds the WSET Diploma (DipWSET) and recently completed the Italian Wine Ambassador program through the Vinitaly International Academy. She’s also involved with the recently opened wine bar in Downtown St. Pete, Savoir on Central.

Read more about Savoir’s wine club here.

One memorable teaching moment was her personal method for assessing acidity in wine:

“I count to five. I drink a little bit of wine, immediately tilt my head forward, and count to five to see how long it takes my mouth to stop salivating. The longer it takes, the higher the acidity is to me.” — Laura Tamayo, DipWSET

It was a simple, sensory-based trick that made a technical concept click.

The Exam

The test was approachable, especially if you:

1. Reviewed the pre-course materials in advance.
2. Used the WSET 1 textbook during the lecture to follow along with the slides instead of over-notetaking.

The exam is closed-book, so no materials or notes are allowed during the test. You don’t need to memorize every detail ahead of time, but skimming the pre-course material will help you stay engaged in class and feel ready for the exam.

If you pass, you’ll receive the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines certification. WSET will email you a link to claim your digital certificate through Accredible. To access it again later or download your badge, you’ll need to set up an Accredible account after claiming the certificate.

---

Takeaways

Was It Worth It?

At $423, the course is a bit of an investment, but it delivers a structured, approachable introduction to wine with a globally recognized certification. Whether you’re starting from scratch or brushing up before WSET Level 2, it gives you tools to talk about wine with more confidence.

Level 1 can be completed with just a few hours of focused prep and a day of class, and sets the foundation for deeper study if you choose to continue. It’s ideal for beginners, casual wine lovers, or those exploring a future in hospitality or retail.

---

Who This Course Isn’t For

If you already have a solid foundation in wine, or have completed WSET Level 2 or beyond, this course may feel too basic. You can skip Level 1 entirely and enroll directly in Level 2 without needing prior certification.

PRP stands for Pieroth, Romanet, and Piccolomini—three founding families from Germany, France, and Italy, each tied to some of Europe’s most iconic wine regions. Today, the name lives on through PRP Wine International, a global company offering private, in-home tastings featuring exclusive selections you won’t find in stores.

We first came across PRP at the 2025 St. Pete Italian Festival, where they had a booth promoting their private, in-home tastings. Each experience includes a curated lineup of wines—usually four, six, or eight bottles depending on what’s booked—and is typically designed for small groups, with guest limits based on the package. According to their website, pricing starts at $215 for weekday bookings and $345 for tastings held on any day.

They occasionally run special offers at local events, which can provide a more accessible entry point for first-timers.

How it Works

PRP tastings are private, sales-oriented events hosted in your home. A wine consultant leads your group through a curated selection, tailored to the tasting package you choose. Before the event, the consultant reaches out to learn your preferences (reds, whites, rosé, sparkling, or regional focus) and builds the tasting around that. Higher-end bottles can carry an upcharge. Everything poured during the tasting are yours to keep, so the bottles stay behind at the end of the event.

What We Tasted

While we requested an Italy-focused lineup, a couple selections came from outside the country—but still featured grapes with strong Italian ties.

What we tasted:

• 2023 Golden Grape Fiano – Murray-Darling, New South Wales, Australia
• Alghero Torbato – Sardinia, Italy
• 2023 Caporosa Primitivo Rosé – Puglia, Italy
• Sardegna Cannonau – Sardinia, Italy
• Roc de l’Aigle – Corbières, France
• Mongibello Nero d’Avola – Sicily, Italy

Each bottle was introduced with detailed background from a company pamphlet. The lineup featured a mix of structured, region-driven styles, some with lesser-known grapes, all priced in the $35–$38 range.

Our consultant, a branch manager trainee, was open and happy to answer questions. Although it was only his third hosted event, he was still able to provide thoughtful information as he continues to learn under a sommelier.

These tastings are especially popular with women’s groups, teacher happy hours, and social get-togethers. Among the more unexpected bookings? A nudist resort, where the consultant was greeted by a security guard wearing nothing but a fanny pack and shoes.

Pricing and Perks

PRP operates on a client model. If someone at your tasting purchases a case (12 bottles), they become a client and unlock access to a range of perks:

• $49 for future 6-bottle tastings up to 12 people
• $59 for future 8-bottle tastings up to 12 people
• Food and wine dinners
• Large warehouse tastings (featuring up to 40 wines)
• Wine release parties and other special events
• The ability to invite others to exclusive experiences

An option for groups is to split a case purchase, designating one person as the official client to access the benefits, making the buy-in a little more approachable.

Booking the Experience

To redeem a tasting voucher, PRP asks you to fill out a short questionnaire on their website with your contact information and preferred dates. Submitting the form doesn’t confirm your booking—a representative from the local office will follow up to finalize availability.

We were told there are about 15 consultants currently covering the Tampa Bay area, so availability may vary depending on demand. If you’re planning around a specific date, it’s a good idea to book early.

Final Sip

PRP offers a different kind of tasting experience: part guided tasting, part introduction to their portfolio. With the right group, it’s an enjoyable way to explore new wines.

It’s a low-pressure way to host a tasting at home, as long as you’re comfortable with the sales component. Catching a deal at a local event makes the value even better.

Tasting vouchers also make thoughtful gifts or creative raffle prizes, especially for clients, teachers, or wine-loving friends.

Before wine reaches your favorite bar, bottle shop, or tasting event, it moves through a quiet but powerful system: the 3-tier structure. Florida enforces this framework, and it plays a major role in shaping how wine gets to St. Pete—and which bottles actually make it here.

Here’s what you need to know.

What Is the 3-Tier System?

After Prohibition ended in 1933, the 21st Amendment gave states the power to regulate alcohol sales—and most, including Florida, adopted a 3-tier system. Designed to prevent monopolies and overconsumption, this structure still defines how wine moves through the state today.

In Florida, it looks like this:

• Tier 1: Producers/Importers
  These are the wineries, breweries, and distilleries—along with the importers who bring in products from abroad.
• Tier 2: Distributors (Wholesalers)
  Licensed middlemen who buy from producers and sell to retailers. In Florida, producers are not allowed to sell directly to retailers or bars—distributors are legally required.
• Tier 3: Retailers (Shops, Restaurants, Bars)
  These are the businesses that sell to you, the consumer—whether it’s by the bottle or the glass.

Retailers in Florida can’t buy directly from a winemaker or vineyard. Everything must go through a licensed distributor.

Why It Matters in St. Pete

This setup may seem invisible, but it impacts everything from what wines show up at your local bottle shop to the prices you pay.

1. Choice Is Filtered by the Middle Tier

Distributors decide what to carry based on availability, demand, and margin. That means even if a St. Pete shop wants to support a small, biodynamic producer from Spain, they can only do so if a Florida distributor carries it. No distributor? No dice.

2. Smaller Distributors = More Curated Selections

Some wine bars and shops in St. Pete work closely with boutique distributors who specialize in natural, organic, or lesser-known wines. These relationships allow places like CellarMasters, Hawthorne, and Book + Bottle to build lists with real personality—not just what the big guys push.

3. It Affects Tastings and Events

If you’ve ever wondered why some wine tastings lean heavily toward certain regions or brands, it’s often tied to what distributors are promoting. Distributors often provide the wines—and sometimes even staff or cover costs—for local tastings. That can be great for exposure, but it also means some events are more about sales than discovery.

Can a Bar or Shop Buy Direct from a Winery?

In Florida, no. Retailers and restaurants are not legally allowed to purchase wine directly from wineries or out-of-state producers. Everything must go through a licensed Florida distributor—even if the winery is just a few states away.

This rule applies across the board, with no exceptions for local shops, bars, or restaurants.

What About Buying Wine Online?

Some wineries are allowed to ship directly to Florida consumers, depending on the state and licensing—but that’s a different category. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping laws are separate from the rules that apply to retail shops and bars.

How It Shapes the Local Scene

Understanding the 3-tier system helps explain why wine in St. Pete can feel both exciting and limited at the same time. We have some exceptional buyers and shop owners who know how to navigate the system and build thoughtful inventories despite the constraints. But it also means there are wines you’ve read about—or even tasted on vacation—that you simply can’t find here.

That’s not a lack of effort—it’s the structure.

Final Sip: What to Keep in Mind

• Florida’s 3-tier system is non-negotiable for local bars and shops.
• Distributors play a key role in what shows up in St. Pete—and what doesn’t.
• The best local spots build strong distributor relationships to offer more distinctive, story-driven wines.
• Supporting places that go the extra mile helps bring more dynamic wines into the city.

Want to drink outside the box? Start by supporting the people who stock their shelves and lists that way—even if it means asking your bartender where the wine came from.