I'm a beverage geek at heart. Some of my best food and food/travel moments have been when there is a huge educational component to a tasting. However it wasn't until 2020 that I fully embraced my passion in wine - while I have wine tasted in a few places around the world, Paso Robles in particular stressed the importance of education in the wine tasting experience. Many of the tasting room staff and sommeliers have at least a wine certification (usually WSET or CMS) and proudly boast it. So I figured if I'm going to spend quite a bit of time and money on wine, I might as well be an educated consumer in the process. Since I don't work in the industry (I'm actually in healthcare) and I don't want to work in the restaurant biz as a sommelier the Court of Master Sommeliers cert route was a no-go. Plus the CMS route emphasizes self-study and I prefer classroom learning. For a hobbyist who may in the future want to dabble in the industry on the side, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust was the way to go. Being based in SD Wine Smarties with Lindsay was the most practical choice. She offers three levels of the WSET plus the diploma - first level being just a 1-day class followed by the test followed by the 2 and 3 being 4 and 8 1x/weekly classes, respectively, with an in-person as well as an online option. She offers her classes in San Diego as well as Temecula. Having dabbled in wine and tasted wine in parts of CA/Mexico/parts of Europe for at least 5 years my knowledge alone was enough to skip L1 plus for the cost of the class (~$300) I would rather spend on wine club allocations. So I decided to start at L2. If you are not sponsored by your employer the cost is around ~$700 for L2 and ~$1300 for L3 and if you are taking the online portion you'll also have to purchase your wines separately. While you could also skip L2 and go straight to L3 in theory many people have advised to at least take L2 to get used to the WSET testing style and to also get used to the "systematic approach to tasting", which is essential if you want to pass the L3 tasting portion of the exam (L2 is only a 50-question multiple choice exam). Plus Lindsay does have a discount for L3 students who have taken her previously for L2. Lindsay was an awesome instructor who has such passion for wine and has a lot of experience gaining that knowledge from all over the world. She does have a propensity to go slightly off topic to talk about her travels but as a fellow traveler myself I actually enjoyed those anecdotes. But in the end I highly recommend to study off the WSET course material - after all it is the WSET that tests you at the end of the day. Even while handling a full time job and other activities I studied on an average a few hours a week. There was a miscommunication at the end regarding my exam date that I had specifically mentioned a month before in an email starting the class. While the original date wasn't honored she did work with me to schedule an alternate date to take the exam. Turns out that I did pretty well - got a 94% on the L2, which qualifies as a "Pass with Distinction". The best part about taking Lindsay's WSET classes? Getting introduced to wines that I have never heard of or tasted before. I thought I knew a little more about wine than the average consumer but this was before I had ever known about a carménère or tasted a meursault. Because of this class I consider those wines some of my most favorite wines along with the usual Paso or Valle suspects. For this specifically I am super grateful. Looking forward to taking the L3 with Lindsay in 2022 and will update this review as such to detail the L3 experience. read more

See all

I've studied with Lindsay and taken many of her classes over the last year or two, including WSET 2 and 3. No matter where you are on your journey to learn about wine, Lindsay always makes you feel great about your level of understanding. Lindsay is so encouraging, and her classes are so enjoyable, that you almost don't realize that you've also learned a ton! She has the highest level of certification available (Master of Wine), and within that certification, received the Bollinger Medal, which is awarded to one person each year for excellence in tasting and outstanding achievement! Lindsay is incredibly gifted at understanding wine, and sharing that knowledge. I'm so glad she is in San Diego. read more

I took both the WSET Level 2 & 3 courses with Lindsay Pomeroy and I did pass both exams. Yay! Lindsay is a treasure trove of wine knowledge and is able share her knowledge in a very engaging, enlightening, and fun way. She really prepared the class for the exams. I am very passionate about wine and do work in the industry, her classes have expanded my knowledge beyond just the tasting aspect (I did enjoy all the wines we got to taste). I recommend her classes to anyone with a desire to learn more about wine. read more

Wine Smarties Founder Lindsay represents the pinnacle of wine expertise and is San Diego's only award-winning Master of Wine! She is an excellent, dedicated educator who is able to nurture and further the passion for wine in both casual wine enthusiasts, as well as advanced scholars hoping to take their oenology to the next level. I would highly recommend Wine Smarties for their high-quality wine education, be it their custom classes, wine tasting workshops or the standardized WSET curriculum. Lindsay is fun, approachable and definitely a wine smarty! read more

Lindsey's Language of wine course was super fun, engaging, educational. My wife and I really enjoyed all the knowledge and wine insights she had to share. We came away with a better appreciation for the wine we drink and deeper understanding of how it's made and what to look for when tasting. I highly recommend it to people who are really good at drinking wine ;) and those looking to expand their knowledge of wine and what to look for while tasting it. read more

I have great things to say about the Wine Smarties. I like wine, and enjoy learning about it, so finding Lindsay was one of my best San Diego finds of 2008. I met her when I enrolled in her wine and chocolate pairing class: "Wine 101", at Tango Wine Bar in Little Italy. I fell in love with her. She's dynamic, funny, and knowledgeable. I've taken since more classes, done more pairings, and took the Intermediate Wine Class, and soon, I will be venturing in the Advanced Wine Class. She's the best! read more

Wine Smarties - Wine Smarties: Wine 101 Class - Wineries Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Where do I start?! I wanted to get into wine and make wine my career so I looked into Lindsay's WSET program called Wine Smarties. Best decision I ever made! Her classes were fun, super informative and taught me so much. After only a month since completing my level 2, I got a full time wine and beverage steward job where I also order all the retail product for a store that does $120k a week! Without this school and Lindsay's awesome guidance, I'd never be in this industry. She also has SO many connections and will help with job placement since she knows loads of industry people. Well worth the money and time invested to better my wine knowledge and career. Can't thank her enough for helping me get to where I want to be in my life! read more

When you begin your career in the wine industry, you will likely notice that there are many schools and programs from which to choose in order to further your studies beyond the confines of your living room and Google. There's the Court of Masters, the CSW exam, SDSU and Grossmont programs...it can be overwhelming! I chose the WSET program, as I felt it was the most well-rounded of the major programs. In the beginning course, you will be introduced to major varietals, regions, and styles, and gain an excellent overview of all the information necessary to get started in the industry. I have taken both the intermediate and advanced classes with Lindsay and have found them to be not only informative, but a ton of fun! Lindsay's style is an engaging mix of valuable information blended with a fantastic sense of humor and a genuine desire to see all of her students succeed. She makes herself available before and after classes to answer any questions, and is quick to respond to any emailed questions a student might have. Oh, and did I mention you get to drink in every class?! The Wine Smarties also offers a series of one-off classes geared towards a specialized interest, such as blind tasting, aging, and Premier Cru classes. If you're looking to break in to the wine industry, or just to learn how to not sound like a novice at a wine bar, I highly recommend taking your first steps by attending one (or more!) of Lindsay's classes with the Wine Smarties. You'll be happy you did! read more

I came to the Wine Smarties with the goal of meeting some wine professionals in my new city of San Diego, and brushing up on global wine knowledge. What I didn't bargain for - an excellent Instructor, who I now call a friend. I found Lindsay's style to be prepared and intelligent, all the while keeping the classes engaging. It's not an easy task when there is so much material to cover. She has wicked funny opinions, too! Fast forward 1 year later, I accepted a great job offer which lists WSET as a primary qualification. I really didn't expect the course to pay off that quickly, in such a direct way. WSET Level 3 is a difficult course. Blind tasting is humbling and it takes dedication to learn the information. I couldn't have chosen a better guide than Lindsay as mentor throughout this process. Just do what she tells you to, and you'll be golden! read more

Lindsey is an amazing teacher. I have attended several of her Wine Tastings about San Diego and have found her to be very charming and personable. Her wine courses are very informative and worth the fees. Any time you can go to a Wine Smarties event, go! read more

After going wine tasting in Paso Robles I mentioned to my boyfriend that I would love to take a course on how to taste wine. I know I love wine, but I have never known what exactly to be looking for in a better wine. He took me the Basic Tasting 101 class that was held in a private room at 57 Degrees. I didn't know what to expect and was blown away. I was blown away not only by how knowledgable Lindsay is, but how much knowledge other people in the class had. I could take this class a couple more times and learn something new every time. I really enjoyed Lindsay's approach to teaching, her demeanor, and overall knowledge on the wines she was speaking about. We already have two classes on our calendars to come back and try. I would recommend this class to anyone that would like an opportunity to expand their knowledge of what wine is really all about, and wants to do so in a comfortable, and fun setting. Way to go with providing us a 5 star experience. read more

My wife and I have taken the WSET Intermediate and Advanced classes from Lindsay at Wine Smarties. She is a great teacher. Very approachable and fun. Definitely not the snobby wine type that you might expect. She has a wealth of knowledge on wine and spirits. She still considers herself a student of wine. Lindsay has opened up the world of wine to us. Thank you Lindsay! read more

I have taken the WSET Intermediate & Advanced wine certification classes through Lindsay through Wine Smarties and have worked on several tastings with Lindsay. Her teaching skills and passion for wine shine through as she details varietals and regions with personal stories and visuals. Her classes are entertaining and fun and always involve tastings of excellent wines. Whether taking a WIne Smarties class or attending on of the tastings, you will not be disappointed with the experience! read more

I met Lindsay of Wine Smarties when I took her Blind Tasting 101 class, which I really enjoyed. I had taken a "Wines of the World" class at community college but we hadn't done any blind tasting. She was very approachable and funny and really knew her stuff. I ended up taking the Advanced WSET class with her. Her class is a great prep for the test. Also, I was impressed with the fact that after the first class or two, when I came to her in a panic after class and had that "deer in the headlight" look when it came to blind tasting, she encouraged me to meet with her one-on-one, at which time she not only walked me through with some tips, but she reassured me that I was on track and that I'd do fine in the end. If you want to learn more about wine in an unpretentious setting from a very good instructor, definitely give Wine Smarties a try. read more

I recently attended a Wine 101 Class put on by Wine Smarties, and was so impressed with the class. The owner and instructor, Lindsay, was absolutely fantastic, and really did a wonderful job of educating while making wine tasting approachable. I highly, highly, highly recommend going to one of her classes! read more

I have taken Lindsay's Advanced WSET and several of her wine tasting classes and have loved every class and session. Great humor, lot's of information and good discussions. It's a non-intimidating way to learn to breakdown each wine and understand what you are tasting, why it tastes that way and more. Highly recommend! read more

When I decided to change my career path I knew I wanted to work in wine. I had read many books but formal training seemed necessary. Luckily, Wine Smarties is located in San Diego where I was living at the time. I studied with Lindsay Pomery for both the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2 and 3. Both challenging programs, Lindsay brought a freshness to learning about wine, and what is extremely technical and educational is also entertaning when Lindsay is involved. I passed both levels and hope to move into the Diploma program - that is after my two year contract position with a internationally renowned winery in Mendoza, Argentina. Thanks to Lindsay I have the tools necessary to follow my career dream. Thank you, Lindsay and thank you Wine Smarties. Nick B. read more

I consider myself to be pretty savvy when it comes to wine, but I learned several things in Lindsey's class that I had not known previously. Lindsey is extremely knowledgable about wine, and she's pretty funny as well. The class was casual and fun, and of course involved lots of wine drinking, so it was a blast. Highly recommend. read more

For Valentine's Day, my bf surprised me with wine tasting and chocolate making/pairing class. Wow! It was fabulous! We tasted 4 different wines and I loved 2 of the 4. To make it even better, they were locally available at BevMo and part of the 5 cent sale! I love tasting wine and be able to buy it without paying for shipping. I have always been more of a beer tasting person, but I am slowly becoming a "Wine Smarty"! Can't wait to go back in a few weeks! Love the groupons!! You really should give this a try for a fun night! read more

My husband & I attended a Wine Smarties blind tasting class recently and loved it! Lindsay is super knowledgable and really entertaining. You learn a lot of useful information in a fun, casual, no-stress environment and taste some really good wine. We're looking forward to attending Lindsay's wine & cheese pairing class next month. Great date night! read more

We booked a class for my friends birthday last week. She loves wine, so we thought it'd be great to take her somewhere where she could taste & learn about wine. It was the best idea ever! We all had so much fun, and learned a lot in the process. Lindsay is very warm and personable and helped us learn how to appreciate all of the many subtleties and nuances of the different wine varieties. She is a true wine professional and I suggest you check out one of her classes if you are looking for something new & interesting to do. Also, I feel much more confident discussing wine during business events and with my clients now. read more

I took the WSET course with Lindsay last summer as well as wine making in Ventura. Absolutely amazing learning environment. She teaches with excitement and passion for wine. I highly recommend any of her courses to anyone in the industry or just wanted to know more about wine!! read more

Short Story: I simply can't give a higher or more positive recommendation for Lindsay and Wine Smarties. Call her. Pronto. Long Story: I was interested in organizing a private event for my wife's birthday, and thought a wine tasting might be a great way to both introduce her to new wines AND bring our friends and family together to celebrate. After a little research, I gave Lindsay a call and she was immediately helpful in terms of how to approach the evening. For the record, I know zero about wine and really appreciated Lindsay's guidance. For example, although I had initially wanted to focus on Rose, Lindsay suggested including some alternatives to Sav Blanc upon learning that my wife was a fan of the grape/style. She helped us think through price points for the wines, wisely advising us to focus on available/affordable options that we could drink more often (vs. blowing it out on pricier options). We settled on a 6-wine tasting (3 Sav Blan alternatives, 3 Rose) with 2 affordable options and 1 special/pricier version for each style. Lindsay also gave us some great suggestions in terms of food/snacks to have on hand for the tasting. Suffice it to say that having Lindsay walk us through each wine was like having a good friend with tons of wine smarts at the table. She was great with the noobs (ahem, me) and non-noobs alike. Just a really comfortable, casual and fun evening. Here's a text I received from a friend the next morning: "Dude. Home run last night." 'Nuff said. read more

I have taken two WSET levels from Lindsay and have learned a lot. I highly recommend Wine Smarties!

I was so fortunate to take Lindsey's WSET Level 2 at La Costa wine company!!!!! What a fun vue!!!! Even tho the classes were long, Lindsey made everything so interesting, plus the awesome 100+ wines we got to taste. I am scheduled for Level 3 In September and cannot wait!!!!! read more

After taking the WSET course, I feel much more confident in social settings or in the company of wine gurus as I Now have a great foundation for understanding the various grapes and regions of the world and which wines correspond to the specific regions. She is a great teacher and I suggest her for all wine educational needs. A+ read more

I've taken the intermediate and advanced WSET classes with Lindsay, and have learned so much. She definitely knows how to teach a class and most definitely has a copious amount of knowledge about the world of wine. read more

I took 2 wines classes from Lindsay Pomeroy who is proprietor of Wine Smarties. The first class WSET3 was ok. The second class - French wine Scholar program of the Wine Scholar Guild - was a disaster . It was extremely expensive - $1200. I failed the final exam by one point . I purchased the new French Wine Scholar book, renewed my online access to the program, did all the on-line learnings, and retook the exam - all at additional cost. I was just informed I failed the exam for a second time , this time by a score of 73. There is no appeal. Wine Scholar Guild will not provide me with a copy of the exam, my wrong answers and the correct answers so it is impossible to verify the result . The suggestion of Lindsay and Wine Scholar Guild: retake the exam at a cost of another $200. I am convinced they are manipulating the scores, this is a money making scam and the Wine Scholar Guild is committing fraud . I do not recommend you take any of the Wine Scholar Guild courses on line or with Lindsay at Wine Smarties. read more

Just completed the WSET Intermediate program with Lindsay at Wine Smarties and really enjoyed the experience. Lindsay is a great teacher and presents the material in a fun and approachable way, plus we get to taste a number of wines from all over the world. I've also taken a few of her wine classes and always found them to be fun and informative. Highly recommend. read more

I have taken the WSET Level 2 course and several wine classes from Wine Smarties. It would be easy to become intimidated by the broad subject of wines but Lindsay made learning fun and her skills helped me develop my base of knowledge, my palate and tasting skills step by step. I just returned from a week in Paso Robles where the knowledge gained from her classes created an entirely different experience in the region. The tasting room hosts were more willing to share stories about their industry and even offer wines off the tasting menu as they could sense your deeper interest in the subject. It made it more interesting for them and fun for me. read more

Lindsay (and the Wine Smarties) is awesome! I took both the WSET Intermediate and Advanced classes and I've learned sooo much about wine. I thought I was knowledgeable before the class, but my previous knowledge was focused mainly on CA and Oregon. Now, I can confidently say I understand all of the major wine producing regions in the world. I took the classes for fun, and they were definitely that! Lindsay's high energy and extensive knowledge-base kept me going even when the class got tough. I have also attended several of her other nonWSET classes and we're even making our own wine! I highly recommend Wine Smarties to anyone who's interested in learning all about wine! read more

I loved the WSET Advanced Certificate course. Lindsay is so knowledgeable and fun. I totally recommend any classes with her/wine smarties! She offers very interesting seminars too! She has very good communication skills and truly does make it feel as it should- Wine Smarties, not Wine Snobs! read more

I have been in the wine industry for about 5 yrs but the last 2 I had been unemployed in San Diego. I decided to further my education with the WSET program that Lindsay teaches. I have been to through a few programs and classes, but the WSET ones taught by Lindsay were the best! She's fun down to earth and makes the entire experience amazing! Not only did I pass the level 2 with flying colors, it also opened me up to a manager position at Wine Steals in Hillcrest! I cannot wait to begin the Level 3 class and continue on with the WSET program. If you are looking to further your wine knowledge, whether for career purposes or just for fun; I highly recommend Wine Smarties and Lindsay!!! read more