My Wine School

Specialties

Midwest Wine School (MWS) was founded with the purpose of establishing an organization dedicated to providing high-​quality and unbiased wine education in a relaxed and fun atmosphere for wine lovers throughout the Midwest.

Over the years, we have seen an influx in the availability and diversity of wine in our stores and restaurants. MWS aims to eliminate your concerns and confusion about wine by giving you the knowledge to feel confident about purchasing and tasting wine.

Midwest Wine School does not deliver classes in one center, but rather has partnered with the area’s premier retail stores, restaurants and educators to provide wine education throughout the city.

We offer comprehensive, multi-​session courses designed by the most trusted name in wine education, WSET, as well as a dedicated program for French Wine, designed by the French Wine Society. Finally we offer Food and Wine pairing classes for everyone, from novices to aspiring sommeliers.

History

Established in 2004.

Jessica Bell started the Midwest Wine School in June 2007. She had lived in New York City and Madrid over the previous ten years and had seen the increase in demand for unbiased, structured wine education. Surprised to see there was little to no opportunities for the serious wine enthusiast and/​or professional, Jessica set about setting up classes to meet the need.

MWS specializes in structured class offering with textbooks, a set curriculum, and exams for those seeking certification or a logical path for building their wine knowledge. In spite of this advanced level of instruction, the classes remain informal and fun.

MWS also offers some food and wine pairing classes for those who are seeking a more social and relaxed setting for their wine interests.

Meet the Business Owner

Jessica L.

Business Owner

Jessica started the Midwest Wine School in June 2007. When she found work at a winery in Spain, she found her calling. Upon returning stateside, Jessica decided to formalize the wine knowledge she continued to acquire on the job by studying with several New York-​based wine and spirit education programs. She now holds the Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and a certificate in Viticulture and Vinification from the American Sommelier Association. She is also an accredited Spanish Wine Educator and French Wine Educator. While studying in New York City, Jessica worked as a Sommelier at The Modern Restaurant and with a boutique importer. In recent years, she has traveled to several wine-​making regions from Champagne to Sherry, Maipo to Mendoza, Santa Barbara to Sonoma and most everything in between. Jessica is the Beverage Expert on the television program Wisconsin Foodie and a regular contributor to the podcast «Life Between the Vines»