Canterbury Wine School offers the WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) courses, as well as bespoke events and training, and is based at Canterbury Christchurch University.

The WSET Level 2 Course is designed to raise the knowledge and understanding of wine and spirits of those attending as well as cover areas such as service and storage, social responsibility and aspects such as quality and ageing. It is a course intended to improve the professionalism of front of house staff in bars and restaurants and well as those working in the wine trade.

Canterbury Wine School can also offer a range of wine events for businesses and charities as well as wine dinners and games for those who want an evening with a difference, either in their home or in a number of venues in the area.

The courses and events are presented by Clive Barlow MW who began his career in the wine trade in 1989 after spending a number of months working on an English vineyard in Hampshire. He subsequently worked for the supermarket Safeway and then moved to Peter Dominic and Wine Rack as a branch manager and subsequently became a trainer in Product Knowledge and Marketing.

On becoming a Master of Wine in 1999 he established his own company, Press Wine Services, based at the Goods Shed in Canterbury, which sells wines to private clients and the on-trade. In addition to these activities he has worked as a consultant and trainer to Whitbread, Waitrose, Adnams, Antique Wine Company, London Wine Academy, Wine Adventure and Sotheby’s. He is a recognised international wine judge, being a senior judge for Decanter and a Panel Chair for the International Wine Challenge. Clive has recently completed a four year period as the Chair of Education for the Institute of Masters of Wine and regularly presents at seminars around the world.

Clive also runs a number of wine events such as presentations for wine groups, corporate events and food and wine dinners. As well as being able to discuss the wines in detail, he feels that the main aim of any event is to open up the wine to the tasters so that they both learn and, equally as important, enjoy the experience.

Canterbury Wine School is run by Ann Morris MA who began her interest in wine many years ago.  She was a founder member of a local wine club which ran for over 25 years and during this time she developed a strong passion for wine.  She organised wine talks and tastings for the club each month, organised visits to local and European vineyards, as well as wine dinners. More recently she has attended many tastings run by national importers in order to further develop her interest in wine.  Wine has been an evolving hobby for a number of years supporting a successful career in teaching and educational management.  Ann will administer and organise the events for Canterbury Wine School.

For further information and / or advice, please email Ann at: canterburywineschool@gmail.co.uk . Alternatively you could phone on 07789407742.  We shall be pleased to help you choose the correct course or provide more details about our day events and bespoke events.