William Chris Wine Academy · Hye, Texas
WSET and Texas Wine Ambassador certification, staff training and continuing education. Taught at William Chris Vineyards and at partner venues across Texas.
Courses
Start with Texas, start with the world, or take both. The Texas courses don’t require WSET, and WSET Level 1 isn’t required for Level 2.
Grapes, growers and terroir across the state.
Texas grape growing, tasting and how to talk about Texas wine with guests. Pin and certificate on passing.
Varietal choices, vineyard practice and the major Texas terroirs, through comparative tastings. No prerequisite.
The international standard, from first glass to working proficiency.
A first course in wine. No experience needed. Lunch, materials, pin and certificate included.
Principal grapes, regional styles and the Systematic Approach to Tasting. Level 1 is not required.
Working proficiency in still, sparkling and fortified wine. Level 2 or equivalent knowledge required.
How we teach
Wine as food, as an experience and as a product of agriculture.
Every class pours wine, and a good share of it comes from vineyards a short drive from the classroom. You taste, you talk it through with an instructor, and you leave able to explain what’s in the glass.
Some students work the floor at a tasting room. Some are new to the industry. Some just want to taste with more confidence. The courses are built so each of them gets something real out of the day.
Private and staff training
We run private classes and staff training for wineries, restaurants and retailers, at the winery or at your place.
A native of the Texas High Plains, ANDREW SIDES’ path in winemaking began while working at the family farm (vineyard) alongside Uncle Andy Timmons during his high school summer breaks. After earning his degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech, Andrew took a 9-5 job in San Antonio but couldn’t resist being pulled back toward the passion he’d cultivated for growing and making wine. In 2012, Andrew and Andy partnered with Troy Ottmers, Andrew’s father-in-law, to launch Lost Draw, a winery focused on growing and sharing wines from the Texas High Plains. Since then, the Lost Draw portfolio has expanded to feature wines from several other Texas AVAs and has captured the attention of local and national press along with many adoring fans.