Mentorship opportunities
Certified Sommelier Exam – Mentorship Study Sessions 2025
These study sessions are designed to support students preparing for the Certified Sommelier Exam. Master Sommeliers and Advanced Sommeliers lead each session and provide guidance and practical advice.
Session 1: Theory Preparation
- Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
- Time: 10-11 am PT
- Session Focus:
- Review of Updated Resources
- Overview of Theory Exam Scope & Question Types
- Discussion of Study Techniques and Exam Day Strategies
Session 2: Deductive Tasting Exam Preparation
- Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
- Time: 10-11 am PT
- Session Focus:
- Review of Certified Sommelier level wines
- Discussion of tasting grids
- Methods for studying tasting
- Skills & mindset approaches on exam day
Session 3: Hospitality & Service Preparation
- Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
- Time: 10-11 am PT
- Registration link
- Session Focus:
- Review of Hospitality & Service Exam expectations
- Methods for studying and practicing service skills
- Exam day mindset and strategy tips
Session 4: Business of the Sommelier Preparation
- Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
- Time: 10-11 am PT
- Registration link
- Session Focus:
- Overview of Business of the Sommelier Topics in the Exam
- Focus on Theory Questions Related to Business and Math
- Practical Approaches to Crunching Numbers and Understanding Business Concepts
Sign up for Office Hours with Master Sommeliers
The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas is committed to supporting students and candidates through mentorship. CMS-A offers 30-minute virtual sessions at no charge to assist anyone preparing for a course or exam.
- Students can seek guidance on topics such as Theory Study, Deductive Tasting, Hospitality & Service, The Business of the Sommelier, exam preparation strategies, CMS-A organization insights, study group connections, and general career mentorship.
- Each session is one-on-one, or you may invite additional guests if you wish.
- Office Hours are for CMS students only.
*To ensure access for all, we kindly ask students to limit appointments to one session per month.
Rebecca Fineman MS
Robert Jones MS
Morgan Harris MS
Scott Tyree MS
Melissa Monosoff MS
Master Sommelier Theory Exam – Mentorship Study Sessions 2025-2026
This five-part mentorship series is designed to support students preparing for the Master Sommelier Theory Exam. Master Sommeliers will lead each session and provide guidance and practical advice. All sessions will be recorded.
Session 1: Finding Your Own Path & Resources for Study
- Date: Monday, December 8, 2025
- Time: 10-11 am PT
- Registration Link
- Session Focus:
- Understand what the Master Sommelier Theory Exam measures and evaluate personal readiness to sit for the exam.
- Learn the full range of CMS-A study resources and how to use them effectively.
- Clarify expectations for the required depth, scope, and knowledge integration at the Master Sommelier level.
- Identify strategies to maintain meaningful study and continued growth between exam attempts.
Session 2: Breaking Down a Region – Process over Panic
- Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Time: 10-11:15 am PT
- Registration Link
- Session Details:
- Apply a structured, repeatable method to study a wine region—moving from facts to structure, significance, and cause-and-effect understanding.
- Strengthen critical thinking by connecting theory, tasting, service, and food-and-wine concepts into an integrated web of knowledge.
- Evaluate depth of mastery using real exam examples to understand how questions are built and what they measure.
Session 3: Content vs. Strategy
- Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
- Time: 10-11:15 am PT
- Registration link
- Session Focus:
- Understand the structure, timing, and rules of the Master Sommelier Theory Exam, and apply strategies to manage pacing and delivery effectively.
- Strengthen test-taking performance by learning how to stay composed, think strategically under pressure, and maximize every opportunity for points.
- Develop tools for self-assessment and long-term growth, adapting study and strategy after each attempt to build sustained progress.
Session 4: Mindset & Exam Day
- Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
- Time: 10-11:15 am PT
- Registration link
- Session Focus:
- You have done the work, here is how to show up ready.
- Master Sommeliers share personal “exam day” strategies and approaches to performing under high-pressure conditions.
- Build resilience, focus, and confidence for exam performance and long-term growth.
Session 5: What to Expect – Exam Day Details
- Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
- Time: 10-11:00 am PT
- Registration link
- Session Focus:
- Review the practical details and schedule for exam day.
- Address any remaining questions and provide guidance for final preparation.
