THE WINE EDUCATION CENTRE
The educational arm of Wines of Western Australia
The Wine Education Centre (WEC) is the prime provider of wine education for consumers and trade in Western Australia.
It has been providing quality wine education for well over 40 years. The Wine Essentials Course is designed to increase your wine knowledge and develop your palate. The only prerequisite is a love of wine. It is also an appropriate course for those about to enter the wine trade, with a Certificate of Merit awarded upon completion. Throughout the year, Old Bridge Cellars also hosts the Wine Education Centre’s specialty wine courses. These are short courses which focus on a particular style or region. All courses are managed by Blair Hill, who comes with a wealth of wine industry experience.
Wine Educator – Blair Hill
BPE, Dip Ed (UWA), Grad Dip Bus (Marketing)(ECU) DIPWSET (WSET-UK)
In addition to his longstanding role as Director at the WEC, Blair’s wine education experience includes the delivery of Level 2 and 3 of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) courses, and a sessional lecturer at Curtin University in Sensory Evaluation 202, a second-year Oenology and Viticulture unit. In his ‘day job’, Blair consults to a number of Western Australian boutique wineries in strategic and tactical sales, marketing and business development across domestic and international wine markets. He is a Director of Vintage Fine Wine Distributors (VFWD), which imports and distributes exclusive French, Italian and ultra-premium Australian wines of provenance and regionality. Blair has been the wine reviewer for ABC 720 radio’s ‘Afternoons’ for ten years, for which he won the Court Wine Bar/Wine Press Club Media Award. He is currently the Perth wine reviewer for ‘What’s Cooking’ – Radio NTS and Virgin airlines.
Wine Education Courses 2025
Wine Essentials Course North Fremantle
These Wine Essentials courses are conducted at By Old Bridge North Fremantle:
- Venue: By Old Bridge Cellars
- FEB Dates: Commencing Tues 11 February 2025
- MAY Dates: Commencing Tues 6 May 2025
- Price – $395 pp (15% off for WoWA Members and their staff)
The Wine Essentials Course is held over four consecutive weeks, the course covers six wines per session.
Click here to learn more
The course provides the necessary information for all wine enthusiasts who are looking to increase their wine knowledge and approach to tasting. It is also an appropriate course for those about to enter the wine trade.
- Week One – Learn how to taste and assess a range of wine styles and understand the wine show system in Australia.
- Week Two – White wine production, styles and botrytis cinerea (noble rot).
- Week Three – Red wine production, styles, importance of oak and cellaring potential of wine.
- Week Four – Food and wine matching to be held at Samsons Paddock restaurant, Mosman Park.
- Plus a Saturday vineyard visit to the Swan Valley or Perth Hills, and The Essential Wine Tasting Guide.
Contact Person: Blair Hill
Telephone: 0417 987 461
Email enquiries: [email protected]
Wine Essentials Course Como
These Wine Essentials courses are conducted at Old Bridge Como :
- Venue: Old Bridge Cellars Como
- FEB Dates: Commencing Monday 10 February 2025
- MAY Dates: Commencing Monday 28 July 2025
- Price – $395 pp (15% off for WoWA Members and their staff)
The Wine Essentials Course is held over four consecutive weeks, the course covers six wines per session.
Click here to learn more
The course provides the necessary information for all wine enthusiasts who are looking to increase their wine knowledge and approach to tasting. It is also an appropriate course for those about to enter the wine trade.
- Week One – Learn how to taste and assess a range of wine styles and understand the wine show system in Australia.
- Week Two – White wine production, styles and botrytis cinerea (noble rot).
- Week Three – Red wine production, styles, importance of oak and cellaring potential of wine.
- Week Four – Food and wine matching to be held at Next Door Angelo Street South Perth. Wednesday 5 March 2025
- Plus a Saturday vineyard visit to the Swan Valley or Perth Hills, and The Essential Wine Tasting Guide.
Contact Person: Blair Hill
Telephone: 0417 987 461
Email enquiries: [email protected]
Sparkling Wines of the World
Explore the wonderful world of sparkling wines. You will be guided through a range of the world’s best sparkling wine styles including Champagne, Cava, Prosecco and others.
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- Date: Tuesday 2 December 2025
- Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm Venue: By Old Bridge Cellars North Fremantle
- Price: $90 Contact: Blair Hill Telephone: 0417 987461
- Email enquiries:[email protected]
Grower Champagne with Tracy Mann
More information to follow soon
Riesling Revival
More information to follow soon
Chablis Explored
More information to follow soon
Northern Italy WInes
More information to follow soon
Testimonials
I loved that course! Never have I looked forward to Tuesday evenings so much. Blair is such a good teacher!