Sake Scholar Course San Francisco, California
Wednesday - Friday, September 24-26, 2025 Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCC)
This course will feature a full three days of class, curated tastings and an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. The Sake Scholar Course covers the 47 prefectures that comprise Japan, exploring the regionality of each through the lens of sake and shochu, and by exploring their history, geography, ingredients, and sake making techniques. There will be numerous tastings (case studies) of sake to support and explore the presence of regionality (or absence of) at the macro and micro levels that can exist within the realm of Japanese sake. The core body of knowledge is crucial to understanding Japan’s key producing regions and learning about some of its principal sake breweries. The course will ultimately complement your sake knowledge and enhance your ability to sell, purchase or simply enjoy sake.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL COURSE SYLLABUS.
This is an advanced program of study. As such, a thorough understanding of sake is required (see pre-requisites below). The examination consists of a 100 question Multiple Choice test with a minimum 75% mark to pass.
Sake Scholar Course Cost: $1295 CAD (~$906 USD*) Instructor: Michael Tremblay and Kerry Jo Rizzo
Wednesday, September 24 - 9:00AM-3:00PM
Thursday, September 25 - 9:00AM-4:00PM
Friday, September 26 - 9:00AM-4:00PM
Final Exam (online) TBD (two dates are offered 4-8 weeks post-course)
Course Prerequisites: A minimum of one of the following: Sake Professional Course (SPC) Advanced Sake Professional (ASP) WSET Level 2 Award in Sake WSET Level 3 Award in Sake International Kikizake-shi (SSI) Sake Diploma (J.S.A) Certified Sake Sommelier (SSA)
Textbooks: Course textbooks will be presented on Day One of the course.
Exam: The examination consists of a 100-question multiple choice paper. A minimum score of 75% or higher is required to pass. The exam is administered online.
Cancellation and Refund Policy: A refund of 50% of the tuition minus a $150 administration fee for withdrawal prior to August 25. There are no refunds for withdrawal after September 10. All course materials are paid upon registration, and are non-refundable. Should the course be cancelled due to any pandemic-related circumstances, a full refund minus a $50 credit card processing fee, will be refunded immediately.
Early Bird Discount for Sake Day San Francisco: Sake Day is the largest and longest standing Nihonshu no Hi (Sake Day) sake celebration outside of Japan. The event is celebrating its 20th year in September! It is founded by Sake Samurai Beau Timken, owner of TRUESAKE, North America’s first sake store. The first 20 SSC students will receive a discount code for a 20% off the General Admission pricing for Sake Day, held on Saturday, September 27. It’s a great way of celebrating the end of the course and meeting other sake experts, in addition to celebrating sake! Please note: The discount code will be provided closer to the launch of the Sake Day tickets and will be available on a first come first serve basis.
Refunds on tuition are in Canadian dollars. Currency rates might affect the total refund allotted.
*Tuition is paid in CAD. USD price may fluctuate based on exchange rate.
REGISTRATION WILL BE OPEN ON FEBRUARY 10, 2025.