About
Welcome to the London Wine Academy
Our approach is simple: Enlighten – Empower – Elevate.
The London Wine Academy shares knowledge with clarity, elevates experiences with real-world practice, and leaves people feeling empowered. From curious enthusiasts to hospitality teams and regional producers, everyone is invited.
The London Wine Academy Story
For over 30 years, we have been sharing the joy of wine through engaging and informative wine tastings, award-winning courses, bespoke wine events, and tailored staff engagement training.
At the heart of The London Wine Academy is a commitment to making the world of wine accessible, enjoyable, and inspiring for everyone—whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned enthusiast.
At The London Wine Academy, we believe wine should be a source of joy and discovery, not intimidation. Our courses are designed to:
- Guide participants on their wine appreciation journey.
- Demystify what’s in the glass with clear, practical insights.
- Help attendees improve their tasting skills and confidently select wines they’ll love.
We’re committed to delivering high-quality, value-driven wine education in a friendly, professional, and contemporary environment.
Meet our founder
Leta Bester, founder and director of The London Wine Academy, discovered her passion for wine while studying ‘Commerce and Wine Culture’ at Stellenbosch University, situated in the heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands. Her journey has taken her across the globe, from exploring and studying in key viticultural regions to working in the Wine Trade in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.
Leta completed her WSET Diploma in Wine in just five months and began the Master of Wine programme in the same year. After five years as a freelance wine educator, Leta’s vision grew into creating a global programme of structured wine courses, designed with a clear purpose: to make the world of wine approachable and exciting at all levels.
“Our aim is for course attendees to discover the joy of wine, guiding them on their wine appreciation journey and helping them to understand what’s in the glass; improve on their tasting skills and be able to pick out their next wines with confidence.
