Zürich Wine Academy

Effective date: 25 October 2026

​

1. About us

​

These Terms & Conditions apply to bookings and purchases made with Zürich Wine Academy and to the use of our website, www.zurichwineacademy.com. Zürich Wine Academy is operated by Zürich Wine Academy, Joseph Benvenuto, in Switzerland (“we”, “us”, or “our”).  Teaching venue: Werdstrasse 8, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland.  Email: info@zurichwineacademy.com  We offer wine education, certification courses, masterclasses, tastings, and private and corporate events.

 

2. Bookings and payment

 

Please review the description, dates, location, language, prerequisites, price, and cancellation conditions before booking.  Unless we agree otherwise in writing, full payment is required at the time of booking. Your place is confirmed when we receive payment and send your booking confirmation.  Prices are stated in Swiss francs (CHF). Applicable taxes and any additional charges will be disclosed before you complete your booking. Course descriptions specify whether materials, tastings, examinations, and certificates are included.

You are responsible for providing accurate booking and contact information and notifying us of relevant changes.  These Terms and any specific conditions supplied before booking form part of your agreement with us. Specific booking conditions take priority where they expressly differ from these Terms, subject to mandatory law.

 

3. Participation and responsible tasting

​

Participants in courses and events involving alcohol must be at least 18 years old.  Additional entry requirements may apply to individual qualifications.  Wine tasting is voluntary. You may spit out samples or choose not to taste. Please drink responsibly and arrange appropriate transport after attending.

Tell us before booking about accessibility needs, allergies, or dietary requirements that may affect your participation. We will discuss reasonable arrangements with you, but cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.  We may refuse alcohol service or ask a participant to leave where their behavior presents a safety risk or seriously disrupts others. Any financial consequences will be assessed reasonably in light of the circumstances and applicable law.

 

4. Cancellations and transfers

 

Send cancellation and transfer requests to info@zurichwineacademy.com, identifying the participant and booking.

 

WSET courses

 

Based on our existing published booking conditions:

• Cancellations received at least 15 calendar days before the course starts qualify for a full refund, subject to the study-material conditions below.

• Cancellations received fewer than 15 calendar days before the course starts do not qualify for a refund.

• Where study materials have already been supplied, they must be returned in perfect condition at the participant’s expense. Damaged materials may be charged at their replacement cost.

• Refunds will be processed within 15 calendar days after cancellation is confirmed and any required materials have been received.

 

Academy courses other than WSET

 

Cancellations received at least seven calendar days before the first class qualify for a full refund or a transfer to an available future course. Cancellations received within seven calendar days of the first class incur a CHF 100 administration fee.

 

Masterclasses, tastings, and public events

 

These conditions will be displayed before purchase.

Private and corporate events

 

Deposits, final attendance numbers, cancellation charges, and rescheduling conditions will be set out in the written proposal accepted before the booking is confirmed.

Transfers between courses, substitutions of participants, and changes to examination registrations require our written confirmation and may be subject to awarding-body requirements. Any additional charges will be disclosed before you agree to the change.

 

Mandatory cancellation or refund rights remain unaffected.

 

5. Changes or cancellations by the Academy

​

We may make reasonable changes to instructors, tasting wines, or teaching arrangements while maintaining the essential content and standard of the booked experience.  If we cancel a course or event, you may choose an available alternative or a refund for the canceled service. If we make a substantial change to its date, location, or content, we will explain the change and offer appropriate alternatives, including a refund where you do not accept the change.  If an event outside our reasonable control prevents delivery, we will contact you promptly to discuss rescheduling or a refund for services not provided. Mandatory legal rights remain unaffected.

 

6. Qualifications, examinations, and materials

 

Certification courses are subject to the relevant awarding body’s eligibility, assessment, examination, and academic-conduct requirements, as disclosed before enrollment.  Attendance does not guarantee a passing examination result or qualification. Resits, replacement certificates, or examination changes may involve additional charges, which will be disclosed before being incurred.  Course materials are for your personal study. You must not reproduce, distribute, sell, or publicly share protected materials without the rights holder’s permission, except where permitted by law.

 

7. Photography and recordings

 

Please obtain permission before photographing or recording instructors or other participants. Recording classes or sharing protected course content requires our prior permission.

Any photography or recording undertaken by the Academy for promotional purposes will be addressed separately, with appropriate notice and consent where required. Booking a course does not automatically constitute consent to promotional use of your image.

 

8. Website use and intellectual property

 

You may use our website for lawful personal and business inquiries and bookings. You must not interfere with its operation, attempt unauthorized access, or misuse its content.

Website text, photographs, branding, and teaching resources belong to their respective rights holders or us. Use beyond what is permitted by law requires permission.

 

9. Responsibility and liability

 

We will provide our services with reasonable care and skill.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for intent, gross negligence, or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited. Any other limitation of liability applies only to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

10. Privacy and marketing

 

Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle personal information. Marketing preferences are managed separately from your acceptance of these Terms.

 

11. Complaints, applicable law, and updates

​

Please send questions or complaints to info@zurichwineacademy.com. Qualification-related complaints and appeals may also follow the relevant awarding body’s procedures.  These Terms are governed by Swiss law, subject to any mandatory consumer protections that apply. Jurisdiction is determined by applicable law; any agreement concerning Zürich courts applies only where legally permitted.  We may update these Terms for future bookings. Existing bookings remain subject to the terms accepted when the booking was made, unless a change is required by law or agreed with you.