Welcome to Vagabond's Wine Academy, where we offer internationally recognised WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses.
Ready to start your journey from wine enthusiast to total wine pro? Welcome to Vagabond's Wine Academy, where we offer internationally recognised WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses. Whether you're a curious beginner or aspiring wine professional, join us as we do wine learning, the Vagabond way.
All Courses Include:
• WSET Level 1 "An Introduction to Wine" book
• Expert tuition from our wine-loving educators
• All exam fees and materials
• 9 wines for tasting
• £15 Vagabond Tasting Card
• Lunch
• Access to 100+ wines by the glass at Vagabond Wines
DipWSET, Head of Wine Academy
A cycling accident sparked Ben’s winding journey into wine. Leaving his native Chile and a career teaching music, he joined a UK wine retailer in 2002 and never looked back. More cycling took him to the Rhône Valley and Burgundy, and his love for wine flourished.
Ben has worked as a buyer, export manager, and in hospitality management. A Decanter World Wine Awards judge for Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, he also sits on tasting panels for the magazine. After earning his WSET Diploma in 2010, he joined Vagabond in 2013 and became a certified WSET Educator in 2018, sharing his passion for wine ever since.
In his words: “Many see wine as a status symbol—I see it as a social conduit and a life enhancer. The language of wine tasting, like any other, seems incomprehensible until you learn it.”
Wine Academy Educator
Thanks to a wine-loving grandad, Jason was introduced to the joys of the grape long before he realised how deep the interest would run. But it was travel that truly brought wine to life for him. He and his wife Flo have made a habit of seeking out vineyards wherever they go—from Chianti to California—with each region adding a new layer of fascination and enjoyment.
Jason joined Vagabond in 2014 while also working at Bibendum Wines, and gradually made his way from part-time wine advisor to Head of Guest Experience. His first wine love was the rich, full-bodied reds of the Southern Rhône, but these days he’s drawn to fresher styles—think lightly chilled Pinot Noir or a well-aged dry Riesling, which he describes as “like catnip to me.”
He holds WSET Level 3 and is one step away from completing the notoriously challenging Diploma. Nearly there—feel free to cheer him on!
