WSET Courses and Masterclasses at Weeno: How They Changed Their Lives

Why choosing WSET courses can transform your career (and your life)

Whether you already work in the wine and spirits industry or are simply passionate about tasting, WSET courses can be life-changing.

Deepening your product knowledge, gaining credibility, advancing your career, or simply refining your palate for pleasure—there are many reasons to start, and one common result:

👉 A clear before and after.

In this article, we share 4 inspiring stories from students who completed a course at Weeno, a school specializing in WSET courses (wine, spirits, beer and sake) available in Paris, Marseille and online.

Whether they are tour guides, entrepreneurs, corporate managers or curious amateurs, they all share one thing in common:

👉 They chose to invest in their passion… and they’ve never looked back.

Djameel Djengue’s Testimonial: From Tour Guide in Réunion to Expert in Wine, Spirits & Beer

When passion meets expertise, it leads to inspiring journeys like Djameel’s.

Thanks to the WSET courses he took remotely with Weeno, Djameel was able to elevate his role, broaden his knowledge, and gain legitimacy in the world of wine, spirits—and now beer!

1) Who are you?

My name is Djameel Djengue, and I’m a tour guide at a rum distillery on Réunion Island. Every day, I welcome visitors from around the world to explore the fascinating universe of rum.

I’ve always been passionate about sharing knowledge, but I wanted to deepen my expertise to gain more credibility and take my explanations further.

2) What was your breakthrough moment?

I felt like I was repeating myself too often in my tours.
I needed more structure, technical vocabulary, and a real step up in skills.

I was frustrated by not being able to answer more detailed or technical questions—especially when dealing with an international audience.

My goals were clear: improve my knowledge, expand my expertise, and better communicate my passion to the people I welcome.

That’s when I discovered Weeno’s distance-learning WSET courses. It immediately felt like the perfect fit.

3) Where are you now?

Today, I’ve completed WSET Level 1 and 2 in Wines, Level 2 in Spirits, and more recently, the brand-new WSET Level 2 in Beer.

Each course helped me gain legitimacy, build a richer vocabulary (in both French and English!), and lead my tours with greater depth and confidence.

I’m even considering new career opportunities in the beer industry—something I thought I already knew well.

But the WSET Beer course opened my eyes to a whole new world: forgotten styles, diverse origins, surprising pairings. I learned how to taste, recognize, and explain—just like I did for wine and spirits.

4) How did Weeno’s training help you achieve these results?

I was able to take every course from Réunion Island, at my own pace, while balancing family, work, and study.

The training materials were clear, the workbooks very practical, and the tasting kits delivered to my home were well thought out. The online sessions really helped me structure my learning.

Thanks to Weeno’s partnership with CLOE (a certified language training provider), I was also able to benefit from dual professional and language training, fully covered by my CPF funding.

I validated both my tasting skills (WSET) and my professional English.

That part was incredibly useful in my job—I’ve enriched my vocabulary, improved my confidence when speaking, and feel much more legitimate in front of international visitors.

5) What did you enjoy the most about WSET courses?

The human connection behind the screen.

In online courses, you can easily feel alone… but not with Weeno.

Pauline Bonfils and my online WSET instructor were always responsive, helpful, and kind.
I never felt like just another number—I felt genuinely supported from start to finish.

6) What advice would you give to someone in your situation?

Go for it!

If you’re passionate and eager to learn but lacking structure or professional credibility, these courses are made for you.

Even at a distance, the support is top-notch—and the results are real.

7) One last word about Weeno?

Thank you for the experience!

Thanks to Weeno, I was able to take a major step forward in my career without ever leaving my island—while balancing work, family, and my passion.

I’m excited to meet more like-minded enthusiasts in the Weeno learning community!

Anna Olejnik’s Testimonial: From Estate Co-Manager to Wine Entrepreneur with the WSET Level 3

With a strong background in the wine industry, Anna Olejnik decided to take things to the next level: a deeper, certified education to launch her own wine venture.

Her choice in the WSET courses available?
The WSET Level 3 in Wines, which she completed with Weeno in Marseille.

A major turning point in her professional journey.

1) Who are you?

My name is Anna Olejnik.
I’m French-Polish and spent five years as the co-manager of Château Fortia, a historic estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

That role gave me experience in all aspects of the wine business—production, marketing, sales, exports.

Deeply passionate about wine, I felt the need to formalize my knowledge to support a more personal and entrepreneurial project.

2) What was your breakthrough moment?

The breakthrough came when I decided to start my own business: Le Monastrell & Jalan Wines.

To be seen as credible in this new role—especially on an international level—I knew I needed a recognized qualification and certified expertise.

The WSET Level 3 in Wines was the obvious choice.

3) Where are you now?

I completed the WSET Level 3 with distinction during an intensive session in Marseille with Weeno.

Today, I’m actively developing Le Monastrell & Jalan Wines, with a clear goal: to build cultural bridges through wine and offer unique experiences to wine lovers.

The WSET diploma gives me credibility in my professional exchanges, both in France and abroad.

4) How did our training help you achieve these results?

The teaching quality of my instructor, Alexia Hupin, was a real asset.
She has a true gift for making complex concepts clear and engaging.

The international scope of the program is also incredibly valuable—especially in such a globalized industry.

And the high standards of the final exam pushed me to deepen and structure my knowledge—a true step forward in expertise.

5) What did you enjoy the most about the training?

The structured approach, the demanding academic level, and the professional but friendly atmosphere.

You can really tell Weeno is a specialist school: they take their training seriously, carefully curate the wine selection (with a focus on organic and terroir-driven wines), and always keep the joy of sharing wine at the center.

6) What advice would you give to someone in your situation?

If you’re in a career transition or looking to boost your legitimacy in the wine world—especially with international ambitions—look no further.

The WSET Level 3 is a gold standard. It can truly make a difference whether you’re launching a business or working in wine consulting.

7) One last word about Weeno?

A big thank-you to the entire Weeno team for their support and the energy they bring to every session.This kind of training goes far beyond a diploma—it’s a true catalyst for both professional and personal growth.

Pierre Albert’s Testimonial: Scoring 100/100 on the WSET Level 2 in Spirits and Accelerating His Career at Carlsberg

1) Who are you?

My name is Pierre Albert Giraud and I’m a Marketing Manager at Carlsberg, working on the brand La Bête.

I’ve always been passionate about spirits and cocktails—I love experimenting, tasting, staying ahead of the trends… and I never miss a spirits masterclass in Paris.

That passion naturally led me to pursue a more serious and structured education.

2) What was your breakthrough moment?

As a marketing professional in the beverage industry, I realized I was lacking a solid theoretical foundation.
I wanted to speak about products with more precision—whether with R&D teams, sales reps, or consumers.

I needed a proper framework, a shared vocabulary, and an internationally recognized qualification. That’s when the WSET Level 2 in Spirits became an obvious next step.

3) Where are you now?

I completed the WSET Level 2 with a perfect score of 100/100 — Distinction.

The course gave me in-depth knowledge about major spirit categories, production methods, styles, and tasting techniques—and, most importantly, a sense of legitimacy in a highly technical industry.

Since then, I’ve been promoted to Senior Group Manager – Innovation at Carlsberg, with a much sharper product vision.

And I’m not stopping here: I’m planning to take the WSET Level 3 in Spirits in Paris in January 2026—a brand-new course offered by Weeno.

4) How did our training help you achieve these results?

The quality of the materials, the pedagogical rigor, the clarity of instruction by Vanessa Guébels, the precision of the content… everything was perfectly designed.

The structured lessons, the tasting kits, and the professional-level support helped me make quick, lasting progress.

It’s more than a class—it’s a full immersion into the world of spirits, taught from a professional perspective.

5) What did you enjoy most about the training?

The challenge.

WSET courses are not superficial programs—you go deep into production, tasting, and technical analysis. You learn how to describe, evaluate, and understand spirits at a high level.

That depth and seriousness really stood out to me.
At the same time, the course was engaging and enjoyable—a true pleasure to learn.

6) What advice would you give to someone in a similar situation?

If you work in spirits, marketing, or product innovation, WSET courses are a strategic investment.

It builds strong foundations, enhances your credibility, and helps you communicate more effectively with professionals (and yes, it’ll impress your colleagues at tastings too!).

7) One last word about Weeno?

A big thank-you to Weeno for this high-level course.
I can’t wait to come back for the Level 3 and keep learning with the same passion and precision.

Thierry Padovani’s Testimonial – Thalès Engineer and Wine Enthusiast

1) Who are you?

My name is Thierry Padovani, I’m an engineer at Thalès.
I’m passionate about red wine and dancing, curious by nature, and always looking for new sensory experiences.

I was gifted a Weeno Masterclass evening on red wines… and I didn’t expect to learn so much in such a short time!

2) What was your breakthrough moment?

Even though I’ve loved wine for years, I struggled to understand why I preferred some reds over others, or how to pair them properly with food.

I wanted to sharpen my palate, better identify aromas, structures, and grape varieties—without necessarily committing to a full course.

The Weeno Masterclass turned out to be the perfect fit: accessible, engaging, and incredibly educational.

3) Where are you now?

After that evening, I never taste wine the same way again.
Now I take my time, spot aromas, understand what I like and why, and I feel more confident talking about wine or giving recommendations.

And when it comes to food pairing?
No more random reds on the table!
I’ve learned how to match wines with dishes more thoughtfully—a real game-changer when hosting friends.

4) How did our Masterclass help you get those results?

The evening’s quality, the energy of Margherita Ferrari (our instructor), the six red wines (plus a bonus bottle!), and the flow of the session—it was all well-structured and enjoyable.

I loved being able to ask questions freely, learn practical insights quickly, and taste contrasting styles to develop my preferences.

5) What did you enjoy most about the Masterclass?

The atmosphere!
I had a fantastic time—it was relaxed yet professional.

The learning materials provided during the session were also a great bonus.
They’re super helpful for reviewing things later at home.

6) What advice would you give to someone in your shoes before joining Weeno?

If you love wine but find it hard to express your preferences or make the right food pairings, this Masterclass is a great first step.

You don’t need any technical background—just curiosity and a desire to explore.

7) One last word about Weeno?

A big thank-you to the Weeno team for this amazing experience!I’m already looking forward to the next Masterclass… and maybe even signing up for the WSET Level 1 soon!

And what if it were your turn?

WSET courses are not just a certification.
It is a professional lever, a confidence booster, and a powerful tool to unlock the world of flavor.

What do Djameel, Anna, Pierre Albert, and Thierry all have in common?

👉 They took the leap.

And now, they can speak about wine, spirits, or beer with precision, confidence, and passion.

At Weeno, we are committed to guiding every profile—from complete beginners to seasoned professionals—through:

• WSET courses recognized in over 70 countries
• Flexible options: online or in-person courses
• Certified, passionate instructors
• Complete home-delivered tasting kits
• A warm, welcoming community of fellow learners

You too deserve to feel at ease with the drinks you love.
You deserve to understand what you’re tasting, to express your preferences with confidence, and to grow your skills at your own pace.

👉 Explore all our upcoming WSET courses at weenodrinksacademy.com

And if you’re still hesitating…
These testimonials speak for themselves.