Description
WSET Level 3 in Sake
Successful candidates will be able to list the principal categories of sake, state their defining characteristics, and know the key principles involved in the storage and service of sake. They will consequently be in a position to answer customer queries and provide recommendations for the service of sake.
In preparation for your upcoming course, please review the online specification provided.
This intensive 3-day sake education course is designed to build upon course material taught in the WSET Level 3 Award in Sake course. Students without WSET Level Award in Sake or Sake Adviser qualifications are requested to contact us prior to course enrollment.
Candidates are required to complete a two-week online pre-study program before attending the course.
This course provides access to the online pre-study program, an online Textbook, workbook PDF, tasting sheets PDF, WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Sake® (SAT) PDF, tasting samples, and the exam. Upon successful completion, you will receive a digital WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated WSET-certified logo.
You must be age 21 or over to take this course and exam.
*A minimum requirement of 8 students is required for this class to take place. If the minimum is not met, the course will be cancelled. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@sakeschoolofamerica.com*
Course Date and Time
Candidates are required to complete a two-week online pre-study program before attending the course.
Wednesday, September 09, 2026 (Online)
10:00am – 6:00pm PT
Monday, September 14, 2026 (Online)
10:00am – 6:00pm PT
Monday, September 21, 2026 (Online)
10:00am – 6:00pm PT
Monday, September 28, 2026 (In-Person)
10:00am – 6:00pm PT
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 (In-Person Exam)
10:00am – 1:00pm PT
Class Location:
Online
via Zoom (link will be provided prior to course)
In-Person Class and Exam
Miyako Sushi & Washoku School
843 East 4th St,
Los Angeles, CA 90013
For any class related questions, please contact Sake School directly at info@sakeschoolofamerica.com
Prerequisites
Applicants must possess a Sake Adviser, WSET Level 2 Award in Sake, WSET Level 1 Award in Sake, or have a strong sake or wine background prior to enrollment in the course.
Candidates are required to complete a two-week online pre-study program before attending the course. You must be of legal drinking age in the country where you are attending the course to participate in any alcohol tasting during the course and for the exam.
Important Notice
- You must be age 21 or over to take this course and exam.
- The exam for this course must be taken in person.
- We reserve the right to cancel the class two weeks prior to the date of the course if there is an inadequate number of registrants. In the case of a cancellation, your course fee will be reimbursed (minus the cost of course materials) or you may choose to register for a course at a future date.
- Registration deadline is Wednesday, August 5, 2026 @ 5 pm PT. Late registrations after August 5th will be issued e-book version of the textbooks ONLY.
- Reasonable adjustments may be available upon request before the registration deadline. Please contact us at info@sakeschoolofamerica.com to make your request.
- Please use your legal name that matches with your ID when registering. The registered name will be used for digital certificates.
REFUNDS / CANCELLATIONS
If you cancel your registration before tasting samples have been shipped, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel your registration after tasting samples have been shipped, we will not be able to refund you. However, you can apply your course fee to future classes.
Exam
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 (In-Person Exam)
10:00am – 1:00pm PT
The exam comprises two parts and lasts 2 hours and 10 minutes overall. Students must pass both parts of the examination paper in order to achieve the Level 3 Award in Sake. Candidates are tested over:
- Theory Exam: a 1 hour and 40 min closed-book exam of 50 multiple-choice questions and 3 questions requiring short written responses
- Tasting Exam: a 30 min blind tasting of two sake.
Note: Both parts of the examination require a minimum mark of 55% to pass.
Re-sitting an Exam:
If you need to retake the exam, the fee will be $250.00. Please email us to schedule a retake info@sakeschoolofamerica.com
Main Concepts
- The main techniques that are used in the production of sake and how they influence style and quality
- The principal and specialty categories of sake
- The sake industry and the commercial importance of sake in the Japanese and export markets
- The principles behind the storage, selection, and service of sake
- Overview and hands-on tasting of a select range of sake.
Study Support:
- Students will be given access to the online WSET Level 3 Award in Sake mandatory two-week online pre-study program before attending the course. WSET will contact students by email with online study portal login information.
- WSET Level 3 Award in Sake online specification
- WSET Level 3 Award in Sake Systematic Approach to Tasting Sake
Instructor: Sara Guterbock
Sara holds numerous certifications across sake, wine, spirits, and beer, including:
- Japan Sommelier Association Sake Diploma
- Dip WSET, Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- Certified Wine Educator, Society of Wine Educators
- Certified Wine Educator Level 3, Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- Certified Sake Educator Level 3, Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- Certified Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
- Advanced Sake Professional, Sake Education Council
- International Sake Sommelier (Kikisake-shi), Sake Service Institute
- International Sake Lecturer, Sake Service Institute
- Sake Adviser, Sake Service Institute
- Shochu Adviser, Sake School of America
- Cicerone Certified Beer Server
Sara spent a year living in Japan as a high school student and grew up in a family that placed great emphasis on learning and experiencing the Japanese language and culture. Becoming proficient in Sake has brought together Sara’s passion for the beverage industry with her life-long love of Japan, its people, traditions, and cuisine.
Sara devotes a tremendous amount of energy introducing people to the complexities and beauties of Sake and its unmatched ability to pair with food. She works as National Educator & Key Account Manager for Mutual Trading Company, the finest importer of craft sake into the United States!
Since 2013, Sara has inspired thousands of sake students, enthusiasts, salespeople & servers around the country through dynamic lectures and educational seminars with Sake School of America, The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA), Johnson & Wales University & numerous distributors, restaurants groups, retailers & more!
Instructor: Atsuko Glick
Atsuko holds numerous certifications across sake, wine, and spirits, including:
- Master Sake Sommelier, Sake Service Institute
- Sake Sommelier (Kikisake-shi), Sake Service Institute
- Shochu Sommelier (Shochu Kikisake-shi), Sake Service Institute
- Certified WSET L1 and L3 Award in Sake Educator, Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- Certified WSET L1 Award in Spirits, Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- Certified WSET L2 Award in Wine, Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- International Sake Lecturer, Sake Service Institute International
- International Sake Sommelier (Kikisake-shi), Sake Service Institute International
- Sake Adviser, Sake School of America
- Shochu Adviser, Sake School of America
- Certified Sake Professional, Sake Education Council
- Beverage Specialist Certificate, Society of Wine Educators
Atsuko Glick is a Japanese native who found herself in California teaching others how to bake bread and brew kombucha. Her love for fermentation led her to the world of alcohol. She enjoys every single step of the fermentation process. Being able to see one thing transform into another is a truly magical thing to Atsuko. Having worked in the travel industry, Atsuko learned to make the impossible possible just like the magic of fermentation.
