Our Story
The London Wine Academy story
The smarter way to learn about wine.
The London Wine Academy story – we aim to share knowledge with clarity, elevate experiences through real-world expertise, and leave people feeling more confident, capable and inspired after every course. From curious enthusiasts to hospitality teams, corporate clients and international wine regions, everyone is welcome on our courses and events.
About The London Wine Academy …
The London Wine Academy was established in 1993 and has since welcomed over 50,000 students to its independent, experience-led wine courses in Mayfair and St James’s. Rated 4.6 on Google, the Academy is one of the UK’s longest-running wine schools and one of the few that is fully independent — all courses follow an in-house curated syllabus designed around immersion and enjoyment, not exams. Every tutor holds a WSET Diploma, Master of Wine qualification or Master Sommelier certification. The Academy’s founder is a brand ambassador for the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux region and regularly presents at the London Wine Fair and other major trade events. The London Wine Academy is also the only wine school in the UK that bridges the wine trade, wine consumers and the corporate sector — working with organisations such as the Monastrell Association, Vinuverdi and Bordeaux alongside its public courses. The Academy provides wine consultancy, staff training and bespoke events for corporate clients including Google, Deloitte, Shell, BMW, Barclays, The Telegraph and Van Cleef & Arpels. Courses run at some of London’s finest venues, including The Punch Bowl in Mayfair, St. James’s Hotel & Club and The Duke of Sussex in Waterloo.
About The London Wine Academy...
The London Wine Academy was established in 1993 and has since welcomed over 50,000 students to its independent, experience-led wine courses in Mayfair and St James’s. Rated 4.6 on Google, the Academy is one of the UK’s longest-running wine schools and one of the few that is fully independent — all courses follow an in-house curated syllabus designed around immersion and enjoyment, not exams. Every tutor holds a WSET Diploma, Master of Wine qualification or Master Sommelier certification.
The Academy’s founder is a brand ambassador for the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux region and regularly presents at the London Wine Fair and other major trade events. The London Wine Academy is also the only wine school in the UK that bridges the wine trade, wine consumers and the corporate sector — working with organisations such as the Monastrell Association, Vinuverdi and Bordeaux alongside its public courses.
The Academy provides wine consultancy, staff training and bespoke events for corporate clients including Google, Deloitte, Shell, BMW, Barclays, The Telegraph and Van Cleef & Arpels. Courses run at some of London’s finest venues, including The Punch Bowl in Mayfair, St. James’s Hotel & Club and The Duke of Sussex in Waterloo.
The Academy’s founder is a brand ambassador for the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux region and regularly presents at the London Wine Fair and other major trade events. The London Wine Academy is also the only wine school in the UK that bridges the wine trade, wine consumers and the corporate sector — working with organisations such as the Monastrell Association, Vinuverdi and Bordeaux alongside its public courses.
The Academy provides wine consultancy, staff training and bespoke events for corporate clients including Google, Deloitte, Shell, BMW, Barclays, The Telegraph and Van Cleef & Arpels. Courses run at some of London’s finest venues, including The Punch Bowl in Mayfair, St. James’s Hotel & Club and The Duke of Sussex in Waterloo.
Our Story - The London Wine Academy
The London Wine Academy Story started in 1993.
The concept of The London Wine Academy was born from a desire to offer a smarter, more approachable way to learn about wine. For over 30 years, we have helped thousands of people build confidence through clear explanations, practical tasting experience and courses that are genuinely enjoyable.
What began as consumer wine courses in London has grown into three distinct areas: wine education, trade consultancy and UK market representation, and carefully tailored corporate and private events. While the business has evolved, the guiding principle has remained the same – to make wine knowledge engaging, professional and accessible.
Independent from the start, The London Wine Academy has always focused on quality teaching, expert tutors and an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions. Our aim is simple: to help you understand what you are tasting, choose wines you enjoy and feel confident doing it.
What began as consumer wine courses in London has grown into three distinct areas: wine education, trade consultancy and UK market representation, and carefully tailored corporate and private events. While the business has evolved, the guiding principle has remained the same – to make wine knowledge engaging, professional and accessible.
Independent from the start, The London Wine Academy has always focused on quality teaching, expert tutors and an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions. Our aim is simple: to help you understand what you are tasting, choose wines you enjoy and feel confident doing it.
What We Believe
We believe wine should be a source of pleasure, interest and discovery – not intimidation. Our courses use practical explanations and guided tastings to make concepts clear, without unnecessary jargon or rigid textbook learning. The result is real confidence and knowledge you can use in everyday life, whether you are choosing a bottle for dinner, exploring a new region or building your professional understanding.
The London Wine Academy Teaching Approach
People learn best when the atmosphere is relaxed, supportive and engaging. Our tutors bring decades of trade experience, but teach in a warm, down-to-earth style that helps people feel at ease. Small groups encourage discussion, questions and genuine confidence-building.
We use the Systematic Approach to tasting because it works – not just in the classroom, but in real life. After more than three decades of teaching wine in London, we know what helps people progress quickly, comfortably and with lasting understanding.
We use the Systematic Approach to tasting because it works – not just in the classroom, but in real life. After more than three decades of teaching wine in London, we know what helps people progress quickly, comfortably and with lasting understanding.
Meet our founder
Leta Bester founded The London Wine Academy after discovering her passion for wine while studying Commerce and Wine Culture at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Her early career took her across New Zealand, Australia and the UK, where she worked directly within the wine trade and developed a strong understanding of both education and the wider industry.
She completed her WSET Diploma in five months and began the Master of Wine programme the same year. After several years as a freelance educator, Leta created The London Wine Academy to offer structured, modern wine education delivered with warmth, clarity and real-world relevance. Today, she continues to lead the business across courses, masterclasses, consultancy, trade partnerships and international wine projects, while maintaining the Academy’s independent and experience-led approach to wine education
She completed her WSET Diploma in five months and began the Master of Wine programme the same year. After several years as a freelance educator, Leta created The London Wine Academy to offer structured, modern wine education delivered with warmth, clarity and real-world relevance. Today, she continues to lead the business across courses, masterclasses, consultancy, trade partnerships and international wine projects, while maintaining the Academy’s independent and experience-led approach to wine education
Recognition
After more than thirty years of teaching, The London Wine Academy is proud to be recognised within the wider wine and education community.
In 2026, founder Leta Bester was named a finalist for Educator of the Year at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Industry Awards – one of only four shortlisted across the UK wine industry. The winners will be announced at the IWC Awards Dinner at the Guildhall, London, in September 2026.
10 Reasons Why People Choose The London Wine Academy
- More than 30 years of independent wine education
- Trusted by international wine bodies, corporate teams and private clients for polished delivery, credible expertise and a personal approach
- A broader perspective on wine, spanning education, events and trade
- Our own courses and teaching framework, shaped by real experience rather than off-the-shelf syllabuses
- Approachable, expert-led teaching — practical, immersive, and designed to give you real confidence, not just exam technique
- Tutors with genuine trade insight and strong academic knowledge
- Small groups and a welcoming, non-intimidating atmosphere
- High levels of repeat bookings and consistent 5-star feedback
- A long-standing reputation built on trust
- Courses designed for real life — whether you’re choosing a bottle for dinner, exploring a new region or developing your professional knowledge
Whether you are just beginning or building on what you already know, our courses and events are designed to give you practical skills, lasting confidence and an experience you will genuinely enjoy.
We hope our story at The London Wine Academy helped to inspire and convince you that wine tasting can be for everyone and we would like to extend a warm welcome for you to join us on a course or a tasting in the near future.
Ready to begin? Explore our courses and find the class that suits you. Want to connect with us, please follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Italian Wine Guide