Explore Our Courses

Know more. Pour better.


Expert-led beverage alcohol education and performance-driven training that transforms knowledge into confidence, stronger sales, and exceptional experiences.

Education That Works

We believe better knowledge leads to better experiences—at the table, on the floor, and in the glass.

Our programs are designed for how people actually learn and work today: practical, engaging, and immediately useful. Whether you’re training a team, building product expertise, or simply looking to understand what you drink, we make beverage alcohol education clear, relevant, and impactful.

Services Overview:

For Restaurants

Train your team to sell with confidence, speak with clarity, and deliver standout guest experiences.

For Distributors

Turn product knowledge into performance with training that drives better storytelling and stronger sales.

For Consumers

Cut through the noise and learn what actually matters—so you can choose, taste, and enjoy with confidence.

SPOT QUALITY

Learn how to recognize craftsmanship in every bottle, from vineyard to distillery, so you can tell the difference between marketing hype and true excellence.

PAIR FLAVORS LIKE A PRO

Discover how aromas, textures, and tastes work together, turning every
pour into a perfect match — whether you’re curating a menu or hosting
friends.

MAKE CHOICES THAT IMPRESS

Gain the confidence to buy, recommend, or sell with authority, knowing exactly what fits the occasion, the palate, and the budget.


Course Description Templates


General Course Description


Our courses are designed to turn knowledge into action. We focus on what matters most—how to understand, describe, sell, and enjoy beverage alcohol in real-world settings.


Wine and Spirit Fundamentals


A practical introduction to wine designed for both professionals and enthusiasts. Learn how to taste with purpose, understand key regions and styles, and communicate wine with clarity and confidence.


Service & Sales Training


A hands-on approach to beverage service that improves guest engagement, increases sales, and builds team confidence—without scripted or outdated techniques.


We help teams sell and serve beverage alcohol better through practical, high-impact training that translates directly to the floor.

Most beverage training is either too basic or too academic. Ours is built for performance. We work with restaurants and distributors to deliver focused, engaging education that improves product knowledge, strengthens sales conversations, and elevates the guest experience—immediately.

Built on Experience. Designed for Impact.

Our company is led by three industry veterans with more than a century of combined experience across hospitality, distribution, and beverage alcohol. Collectively, they bring over 50 years of focused expertise in education, leadership development, and training.

With dozens of industry-recognized accreditations, their approach blends deep technical knowledge with real-world application—delivering education that builds confidence, improves performance, and elevates the experience at every level of the glass.

Mike Ward
Co-Founder & Principal

  • Italian Wine Scholar – The Wine Scholar Guild
  • Certified Wine Educator – Society of Wine Educators
  • WSET Level 3 Award in Wine – Wine & Spirit Education Trust
  • Certified Sommelier – Court of Master Sommeliers
  • Certified Specialist of Spirits – Society of Wine Educators
  • WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits – Wine & Spirit Education Trust

Andy Westley
Co-founder & Principal

  • Master of Whisk(e)y – Council of Whiskey Masters
  • Diploma in Wine, Level 3 Award in Spirits – Wine and Spirit Education Trust
  • Diploma in Single Malt Scotch & Irish Whiskey Certificate – Edinburgh Whisky Academy
  • Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Specialist of Spirits – Society of Wine Educators
  • Master of Business Administration – University of Notre Dame

Crag Locascio
Co-founder & Principal

  • Diploma in Wine & Spirits, Level 3 Award in Sake, Nominated Educator, WSET Educator — Wine & Spirit Education Trust
  • Certified Wine Educator (CWE), Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS), Past Chair Wine Accreditation Subcommittee — Society of Wine Educators
  • International Bordeaux Wine Educator — L’École du Vin de Bordeaux
  • Official Burgundy Wine Instructor — Bourgognes Wine Board (BIVB)
  • Napa Valley Wine Educator — Napa Valley Vintners
  • Certified Cicerone — Cicerone Certification Program
  • Certified Scotch Professional, Certified Whisky Specialist — Council of Whiskey Masters


Together, our principals bring a shared belief: education should be clear, practical, and immediately useful. Every program we deliver is built to translate knowledge into action—so whether you’re on the floor, in the market, or at the table, you’re better equipped to succeed.


KNOW MORE. POUR BETTER.

info@corkandcaskacademy.com

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