WSET 3 AT CASTELLO DI POTENTINO JUL 26 - AUG 2 2026
WSET 3 AT CASTELLO DI POTENTINO JUL 26 - AUG 2 2026
Working winery on a Sacred Mountain, Etruscan wine stones and WSET LEVEL 3
This is an eight day (seven night) residential course held in the beautifully restored medieval Tuscan castle of Castello di Potentino.
JUL 26 - AUG 2, 2026
The WSET 3 Wine Course AT POTENTINO
It is particularly special to study at Potentino. For millennia this area has been known as a sacred space for vine growing and winemaking. Etruscan winemaking stones lie by the river that runs alongside the castle and in the vineyards behind the castle. To study here is a great privilege. One feels a deep connection with the energy of ancient cultures and their passion, curiosity and respect for wine. It becomes more than an academic experience.
To take the WSET Level 3 course a willingness to learn about wine and taste a LOT of it is … not all that is required. It is an intriguing, fabulous, exhilarating jump from Level 2 to Level 3 - If you found yourself warming up to Level 2 you will get very hot for Level 3. The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is designed to give a thorough understanding of the factors that account for the style, quality and price of the principal still, sparkling and fortified wines of the world. The qualification will assist those who are required to make professional evaluations of wines with regards to their style, quality and price, and take the wine enthusiast to another level of LOVE for wine and the vine. Level 3 in Wines provides the in-depth product knowledge required to underpin job skills and competencies, for example in product selection in the retail and hospitality sectors.
The week at Potentino consists of 35 hours of study time followed by a blind tasting paper, a multiple choice, and a short written answer theory exam. Students are expected to commit to 50 hours minimum of private study.
On passing the course students will be able to describe the characteristics of the principal wines of the world and give information on the key factors influencing style, quality and price. They will consequently be in a position to advise management, to answer customer queries authoritatively, and to make informed selections of wines in a variety of situations.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
Identify the principal natural and human factors in the vineyard and winery that are involved in the production of still wines of the world and explain how they can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.
Identify and describe the characteristics of the still wines produced in the principal wine producing regions of the world and explain how the key natural and human factors in the vineyard, winery, law and commerce can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.
Identify and describe the characteristics of the principal sparkling wines of the world and explain how the key natural and human factors in the vineyard, winery, law and commerce can influence the style, quality and price of
these wines.
Identify and describe the characteristics of the principal fortified wines of the world and explain how the key natural and human factors in the vineyard, winery and law can influence the style, quality and price of these wines.
Demonstrate the ability to provide information and advice to customers and
staff about wines.
Accurately describe the key characteristics of the principal still wines of the world and use the description to make an assessment of quality and an assessment of readiness for drinking using the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine® (SAT)
The Castle
Castello di Potentino is set on Mount Amiata in the south of Tuscany, it is a working organic farm that produces award-winning wines and olive oil. Its grounds include a private chapel and beautiful garden. Built on an Etruscan site Castello di Potentino lies in a secret valley in one of the last undiscovered corners of Tuscany – Monte Amiata. The medieval building is surrounded by unspoilt countryside, dotted with the vines and the ancient olive trees used for the estate’s small production of high quality wine, grappa and oil.
The first document to mention the Castello di Potentino is dated 1042. However, the original foundations are probably Etruscan. Over the centuries the property passed through the hands of many well-known Tuscan families of noble descent - the Tolomei, the Bonsignori, and the the Salimbeni, whom in the company of Contessa Bianchina, received Saint Catherine of Siena as a guest at the castle. At the end of the 16th Century it became a centre for the charitable works of the hospital order of Santa Maria della Scala.
After this period of religious activity, the Medici Duke Ferdinando I conceded the estate to Marchese Giovan Battista Bourbon del Monte, famous commander-in-chief of the infantry of the Venetian Republic. His descendants finally sold the castle to a gentleman from Switzerland, Antonio Hemmeler, in 1906. Recently it was purchased and restored by the Greene family, who have given new life to the ancient traditions of the building. The castle has eight luxurious bedrooms. The rooms all have different designs, some with wood beams and others with frescoes on the ceiling. Each one has antique furniture and plenty of old world charm.
Agriculture and viticulture are about growing and living, so eating and drinking well are an important element in the Potentino ethos which is concerned with the sustainability of how we inhabit a place and relate to it physically and mentally. The castle has its own vineyards, olive groves and vegetable garden.
LOCATION
Castello di Potentino lies in a secret valley nestled in one of the last undiscovered corners of Tuscany - the Amiata. There will be an organised transfer leaving from Florence at 16:00 on Sunday 26 July, and departing for Florence from the castle at 9:30 on Sunday 2 August. Please let us know if you would like to book a place.
Airports: Nearest airports are Pisa (2hrs 15 minutes), Florence Peretola (2hrs 30 minutes), Perugia (2hrs 15 minutes, but difficult driving) Rome Fiumicino (3hrs) and Rome Ciampino (3 hrs 30 minutes)
By Car: We recommend that people coming to Potentino come by car as it gives the maximum amount of freedom and there are no local taxi services on Monte Amiata.
Coordinates: 42.924265, 11.543227
Train Stations: Grosseto is the nearest mainline station (50 minutes by car) although Chiusi/Chianciano Terme is also an option. There are also nearer stations at Buonconvento and Paganico but the trains are infrequent and transport can be difficult to arrange from there. Train timetables are available here.
Taxis And Private Cars: There are usually taxis available at Grosseto station. They should cost about €100-€120. If you would like us to organise a private car, we can do so.
Buses: Buses can be found (at very weird times and are exceptionally irregular, don’t bet on them) to our local towns Seggiano and Castel del Piano from Grosseto train station. The timetable is available at Tiemme SPA.
Electric Vehicles: We have two chargers for Electric Vehicles, one for Teslas and one for other cars which are free to use.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1 Sunday, 26 July
Welcome aperitivo and wine tasting of current releases and past vintages with Charlotte Horton, Castello di Potentino’s owner and winemaker who will guide you through the castle’s award-winning wines. Dinner prepared in the kitchens at Potentino using local meats and vegetables from our vegetable garden.
Day 2 Monday 27 July
Breakfast and the WSET course begins with a workshop on Level 3 tasting technique
Lunch under the loggia in the courtyard
Back to class, down in the vineyard and into the castle winery to look at the natural and human influences that can impact Style, Quality and Price wines.
Dinner in castle dining room.
Day 3 Tuesday 28th July
Breakfast in the castle kitchen and class begins with the white wines of Germany, Alsace, Austria and Tokaj followed by the white wines of Burgundy, Loire and Bordeaux
Lunch under the loggia in the courtyard
Tasting and study of the red and rosé wines of Bordeaux, South West France and the Loire Valley
Day 4 Wednesday 29th July
Breakfast followed by WSET course: Red wines of Burgundy, Beaujolais, and the red and white wines of the northern Rhône Valley plus Red, white and rosé wines of southern Rhône and southern France.
Lunch at the Castle under the loggia or in the grand dining room at Potentino followed by free time
WSET course continues in the courtyard: Red wines of Spain and white wines of Spain and Portugal.
Evening meal at Potentino
Day 5 Thursday 30th July
Free morning for relaxing by the pool and/or revising by the pool or in the castle libraries.
Lunch at the Castle
Late afternoon class: Red and white wines of Italy, red wines of Portugal and red and white wines of Greece,
Evening meal in the courtyard.
Day 6 Friday 31st July
Breakfast and WSET course recommences with the premium white wines of New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, USA and Canada and the premium red wines of New Zealand, USA and Australia, followed by the regional specialities of Australia, South Africa and USA. Premium red and white wines of Argentina and Chile
Lunch at the Castle
Fortified Wines
Dinner at the castle
Day 7 Saturday 1 August
Breakfast and Sparkling Wines with some light revision.
Lunch in the courtyard
Tasting and Theory Exam
NEGRONIS, Aperitivo using Potentino’s own distilled Gin, Vermouth and Bitters for a Castle Negroni.
DINNER in the castle dining room whilst…that chapel transforms into (for those with enough vermouth in their veins) a DISCO!
Day 8 Sunday 2 August
Breakfast, Goodbyes and Departures
