TL;DR: Vinkällan Dryckesutbildningar has taught wine since 1996, from introductory courses to the sommelier diploma, in classrooms in Sweden and Denmark and online. Its course certificates and diplomas are issued through TRUE, on the school’s own domain. Principal Erik Plöen Casterud says the administration became significantly easier, and his students keep their diplomas on their phone, which matters to the many who want to work abroad.
Erik Plöen Casterud is the principal of Vinkällan Dryckesutbildningar, which he describes as the largest sommelier training institute in the Nordic region. He is responsible for the courses: wine courses, tastings and the sommelier programme, taught in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Växjö, Sälen, Åre and Denmark, and entirely online for students who cannot travel to a classroom.
Open the diploma through the link the sommelier shared, straight on a phone. The page shows that Vinkällan Dryckesutbildningar issued it, for which course, and that nothing has changed since. Vinkällan’s own page for checking diplomas is diplom.vinkallan.se, and you can also paste the link into TRUE Verify. The answer comes in a few seconds, and you do not need an account.
The sommelier programme runs in two steps. Step 1 lays the foundation: the history of wine, production and styles, spirits and beer, and the tasting method sommeliers use around the world. No prior knowledge is needed. It runs over 16 weeks in a classroom, or entirely online as DigWine, and ends with a written exam. Those who pass receive a certificate and a silver pin.
Step 2 runs for about 30 weeks and goes deeper: classic and new wine regions, how growing and production shape style and quality, blind tasting, maturity and ageing potential, and food and wine pairing. It ends with written exams and a blind tasting. Those who pass are diploma sommeliers, with a sommelier diploma, a gold pin and an apron with their name embroidered in gold.
For those who want to go further, Vinkällan offers advanced courses: WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, French Wine Scholar from the Wine Scholar Guild, Champagne Specialist, and masterclasses and master tastings on single regions such as Burgundy and Piedmont.
Proof that travels. Wine is an international trade, and many of Vinkällan’s students plan their careers around it.
“We also appreciate that students have access to their certificates or diplomas at all times. This is crucial for us, especially since many of our students aspire to work internationally, making it even more important for them to have their certificates and diplomas on their phones or computers.”
A framed diploma hangs on a wall at home. The sommelier who applies for work abroad needs it on the phone in their pocket.
Printed, framed and sent out.
“As a school offering everything from shorter courses to vocational training and international education in beverages, there is an expectation to receive a diploma certifying a certain level of knowledge. This has always been the norm in our industry.”
Erik Casterud, Principal, Vinkällan Beverage Education
Diplomas come at different levels and in different forms, and each one was a sheet to print, frame and send. Asked about the main challenge before TRUE, Casterud names the paperwork.
“Primarily the administrative aspect. Previously, we printed, framed, and distributed diplomas more extensively.”
Erik Casterud, Principal, Vinkällan Beverage Education
They are issued through TRUE in Vinkällan’s own design, signed by the principal and published on the school’s own domain.
“Now, some of our certificates remain digital, streamlining our handling. This part has become significantly easier with TRUE’s diplomas.”
Erik Casterud, Principal, Vinkällan Beverage Education
Asked what he likes most, Casterud names three things: that anyone can verify the diploma is authentic, that it spreads through social channels, and that the school can follow the traffic it brings. Each diploma a student shares carries Vinkällan’s name into their network. That is what makes it a verifiable credential: proof anyone can confirm without contacting the school.
“TRUE’s diplomas have been crucial for us and our students.”
Erik Casterud, Principal, Vinkällan Beverage Education
The students noticed the look too. Casterud says they appreciate the appearance of the diplomas. When a sommelier opens one for an employer abroad, the employer sees where the training came from.
Vinkällan presents its courses at vinkallan.se, and they are also listed in TRUE Upskill. For another school whose graduates show their diplomas to the people they work for, read Nordiskt Näringscenter, or see how digital diplomas work in education.
More on digital diplomas and course certificates.
Vinkällan Dryckesutbildningar is a Swedish school for wine and beverages, founded in 1996. It runs everything from introductory wine courses to the sommelier diploma, in classrooms in Sweden and Denmark and online.
Course certificates and diplomas, including those for its sommelier programme. They are published on the school’s own domain, diplom.vinkallan.se.
They were printed, framed and sent out. The principal names the administration as the main challenge of that time.
After step 1, a certificate and a silver pin. After passing the final exam in step 2, the sommelier diploma, a gold pin and an apron with their name embroidered in gold.
Many of them want to work internationally. The principal says that makes it even more important for them to have their diplomas on their phone or computer.
Open the link to the diploma, or paste it into TRUE Verify. The answer comes in a few seconds, and you do not need an account.
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