Founded in 2000 by wine writer and author Jonathon Alsop, the Boston Wine School has become a cornerstone for wine education in New England and beyond. With a mission to make wine fun, inclusive, and accessible, the school serves as a snob-free zone for wine lovers at all levels, from curious beginners to seasoned aficionados. The school’s guiding principle is that wine is not just for connoisseurs—it is for everyone.
Origins
The Boston Wine School began as a modest endeavor with a big goal: change the way people taste and learn about wine through informal wine classes in intimate settings around Boston. Jonathon, already an accomplished wine writer, saw the need for a space where people could learn about wine without intimidation or pretense. His vision was simple: to create an environment where learning about wine would be as enjoyable as drinking it.
As the school grew, it gained a loyal following for its hands-on, experiential approach to wine education. Classes combined theory and practice, featuring tastings of wines from around the world paired with thoughtfully selected foods. This interactive style demystified wine for students and made learning a memorable and engaging experience.
Impact
Boston Wine School quickly became a recognized institution, offering an expanded curriculum that included themed tastings, regional wine explorations, and classes on food and wine pairings. The school’s partnerships with local restaurants and venues—Sorriso in Brookline Village, The Spirited Gourmet in Belmont, and Greenvale Vineyards in Rhode Island—further broadened its reach and deepened its ties to the community.
In addition to classes, the Boston Wine School hosts special events, including the popular Boston Wine School Wine Festival at Stone Zoo, which combines the joys of wine tasting with unique local experiences. These events highlight Alsop’s commitment to blending wine education with fun, creativity, and a sense of community.
Classes & Events
There’s a ton of great wine education out there for people at the top of the wine world, but what about the rest of us? Where’s that fun, useful, relateable education for people at all levels of experience who love wine or maybe work with wine?
Our classes and events are typically small—usually 12 to 36 max—and our signature teaching style is interactive, technically informative, and deeply engaging. We teach and learn about wine by tasting wine, and equally important, our students learn about themselves and each other.
You don’t have to be a somm—or even aspire to be a somm—to take our classes. BWS is a place where real people come to learn how to taste, think, and talk about wine. And food. And history, geology, geography, you name it – all the ways people understand and engage with wine.
Legacy
Today, the Boston Wine School continues to thrive as a welcoming space for wine lovers to gather, learn, and share their passion. Jonathon Alsop’s enduring vision and dedication have made the school a pioneering force in wine education, inspiring countless students to explore and enjoy the world of wine in their own way.