DIPLOMA PREP: Mastering D3 Wines of the World

Studying for your WSET Diploma D3 exam? Join the online course designed to help you achieve success on WSET D3

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The WSET Diploma is one of the most respected and prestigious wine courses in the world... and it's more than a little challenging. You're going to spend close to $10,000 getting through this course, so make sure it's a success!

*NEW* You can choose your timeline: 9 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks study plan options are available

Join me on a condensed overview, where you'll quiz yourself to success on the grapes, wines, and regions that you need to master. Included are quizzes on every section of the current Diploma D3 curriculum, including the many countries within the toughest section of the Diploma (France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia, NZ, USA, Greece, & more). I created this course from the study notes and cue cards that I used to pass D3/Unit 3 on the first try! Fully updated with the new D3 curriculum.

Along with a group of Diploma students from around the globe, you'll work to do a complete review of the curriculum, develop your spreadsheet grid, and receive direct feedback from Rachel on your work.

Over 9 modules, we'll review and work our way through the D3 curriculum together.

By Module 9, we'll have reviewed each country and region, to make sure you're prepared for the big exam. Each week, you'll be guided through the material and assignments, with helpful prompts from Rachel.

Every section will have a variety of activities to complete, that will help you process the huge amount of information covered: drawing maps of the region to understand the geography, taking quizzes to see where you need to improve, and when you just can't study anymore - there are pre-selected youtube videos that assembled so you can put on autoplay.

This course is designed especially for WSET* Diploma students (*Please note, this course is not affiliated with WSET Global, it is a quiz prep course based on working with hundreds of students in the Diploma) - it doesn't replace the reading and studying that are a MUST in order to pass your exam, but it will help keep you accountable and guide you through a review of the curriculum! You do the studying, the Prep Course helps you stay accountable and test how well you've prepared.

Get ready to feel confident going into your WSET Diploma D3 exam

The course includes extensive quizzes for each module, plus downloadable cheat sheets, and map activities. Assignments are sent to you each week along with helpful guidance on preparing for the final exam.

Want to get a head start on your WSET Diploma D3 studies? This is the course for you.

NOTE: The textbook for this course is your D3 Study Guide.

Wine Prep Courses have helped hundreds of WSET students prepare for and pass their exams. Here are what some of Rachel's students have said about taking the course:

"Results just in. Passed with distinction. Could not have done it without your setup. Many thanks"

"The study modules really helped. I passed top of the class!"

"Thanks to your theory prep I passed the exam 😀"

"Really happy to participate in your fantastic program and I found it very helpful for me! Thank you for all your precise and particular advice and comments!"

"It was absolutely invaluable to use your content as a barometer while reading the entries and studying."

"This is a terrific program and I know it's been extremely beneficial to my preparation for the exam"

"I subscribe to your online course. I really find it fantastic and extremely useful for my studies. Very happy I subscribed to your course."

"I just passed the exam. Your review system is very helpful. Thank you very much!"

"Very well organised. Kept me on track."

"Using your study program helped break down what seemed unachievable at the beginning, into very achievable chunks. Your study programs are excellent. Keep up the great work."

"THANK YOU! Your feedback is priceless!!"

"Thank you for your guidance. Thank you, once again. Without your support I wouldn’t be able go through this. It is indeed one of the toughest exams."

"I got my results from unit 3 exam and I passed with merit. Many thanks to you and your well organized course, I don’t think I would have done so well without it!"

"Your quizzes are invaluable. After taking your Prep Class I passed with Distinction"

"I think your program is excellent. I'm so glad I found it. "

"What I liked best: the systematic approach with maps, quizzes, what entries to read."

"I loved your course. I can't wait to restart your content over again."

"Yesterday I received my result and I got "Pass With Merit". Thank you so much for your help and materials."

"I found starting revision for the Diploma Unit 3 overwhelming, with so many countries, regions, grapes and wine styles to learn. The Prep Course gave me exactly what I needed: a structured study plan to make sure I covered everything in the time I had. It also gave me reading lists, maps and really useful quizzes that I could also access on my mobile phone. It is a very well thought out course and was a really important part of passing my diploma."

"Thank you so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it. Especially, your comments on my tasting notes. They were very helpful."

"Thank you so much. Studies are going well. Your quizzes and cards have been essential."

"YOU’RE awesome!!! :) I passed my exam. I couldn’t have done it without your awesome prep course. Thank you!!!"

"I've appreciated this course so much for giving me the tools to make sense of the huge world of wines - guiding my inquiry and encouraging me to draw connections and insights for the real world implications of wine, style, regionality and how it makes dollars and sense."

"Thanks you for offering this course. It helped me to find direction with my studies and supplemented the information I received in class."

"Can't thank you enough for your help and your advice. Extremely grateful for everything, you rock!"

"Good news from my end- I passed the Unit 3 theory exam!!! "

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Your Instructor

Rachel von Sturmer

Hi, I'm Rachel! My passion is learning about wine and sharing wine knowledge. I developed this course after not being able to find a condensed online wine study program while prepping for the WSET Level 3 & the WSET Diploma. The theory units in these programs are some of the most challenging exams I've ever encountered.

This prep course is perfect for WSET students who need help studying these challenging wines and regions, and provide extra accountability getting through the material. My goal is that after studying and using the prep course, that you'll walk into your exam feeling confident and prepared for success.

I'm a wine writer and beginner wine grower; I'm currently a student in the Master of Wine program, having successfully completed the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma program after 15 months of study, passing every unit on the first attempt. I've also been awarded the Vinitialy Italian Wine Ambassador, designation, and published Winetripping, a guide to the wineries of British Columbia's Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.

My husband and I own a 5 acre organic vineyard in BC's Similkameen region. In my free time, I love visiting ancient ruins, growing heirloom tomatoes, cozy pubs with friends, Star Trek TNG reruns, and of course, trying new wines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should take this course?

This course was designed especially for students of the WSET Diploma in mind (please note: we are not affiliated with WSET).

What supplies do I need?

You'll need your D3 Study Guide, plus a supply of cue cards to write on, dry-erase markers, and access to a printer (to print out the map activities in each module).

How much time does it take to complete this course?

Allow for 15+ hours per week to study for your D3 exam, about two hours per day. If you have more time to devote, even better, especially in the final month before your exam! There are 9 modules in this prep course. At a minimum you'll need to have read the corresponding sections in your D3 Study Guide and made your own study notes on each region, in order to be successful.

How long do I have access to the course?

After enrolling in the course, you'll have access for one year - across any and all devices you own.

What level of WSET should I be to take this course?

This course specifically prepares you for the Level 4 Diploma D3 unit.

I'm a student in the D3 Prep Course. Can I take the D3 course?

Absolutely! Students can repeat the class at no cost for one year after purchase. Just send Rachel an email asking to be added to the new session of the course.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us within the first 7 days after enrollment and we will give you a full refund. If you sell similar training programs or courses, you will not be eligible for a refund.

What format is this course in?

The course contains 9 modules, that you can take over and over for each region covered by the D3 WSET Diploma curriculum. Committing info to memory is easiest when you actively quiz yourself! There are also cheatsheets, and printables. You will receive weekly messages from Rachel that include assignments to be submitted for feedback, such as tasting notes.. Plus, a bonus of personalized feedback from Rachel on your own theory assignment. You choose your timeline when you enroll: 9 weeks, 12 weeks, or 16 weeks.

What happens after I take the course?

Students are encouraged to take the Prep Course as many times as they need for up to one year. This is included in the initial enrollment fee. Feedback assignments are included the first time you take the course, but not for subsequent enrollments.

When does the course start and finish?

Access begins as soon as you enroll, when you'll receive the first assignment via email from Rachel. Each week, we'll work through the curriculum together (9 modules in total). Registered students retain access for one year from purchase. When you enroll, you can choose a 9 week, 12 week, or 16 week study timeline.

Enroll in Course

Are you considering the WSET diploma prep course?

I recently finished the Diploma, and noticed candidates really need a site to help study and prepare for what are some very challenging exams. We do so much reading, research and studying, and spend a LOT of money on this course, so where's the mobile-friendly site that helps us learn via self-testing, with features like quizzes (lots and lots of quizzes) for your phone. What was needed was a framework to refresh the memory, check to see if we have weak areas that we need to review, or just a fun way to spend an hour in the evening.

I've compiled all my spreadsheets, notes, and cards from D3/Unit 3 into quizzes and activities that you can use to review the material, check where you may have weak areas, and study while you're in line at the grocery store, waiting for the train, or on roadtrips. The 9 modules will lead you through a review of the curriculum and help keep you on track with your study plan.

While studying for D3/Unit 3 theory, I bought dozens of books that were too long and dense to get through and retain the information. What I needed was something organized, easy to use, and online. The goal of this prep course is to give you a ton of challenging questions that are completely focused on the D3 Diploma wines.

Happy studying!

Rachel