Sommelier & Food Pairing Diploma by Fani Kolaki & Dimitris Groumpos
Education: In person
Starting: November 2026
Duration: 50 teaching hours
Language: Greek
A comprehensive and interactive training program designed for hospitality and wine professionals, as well as passionate wine enthusiasts seeking to develop specialized knowledge and expertise in the fascinating world of wine.
In collaboration with AD VINUM, and under the guidance of renowned sommeliers Fani Kolaki and Dimitris Groumpos, participants will gain comprehensive knowledge of both the fundamental and advanced principles of oenology, winemaking, wine tasting, and professional wine service.
The seminar provides a comprehensive overview of the world of wine, beginning with viticulture and winemaking, with a focus on essential production techniques and grape varieties. Special emphasis is placed on wine tasting and aroma analysis, while participants will explore different winemaking methods, including red, white, and rosé wine production, as well as the processes of ageing and bottling.
Participants will also become familiar with the principal Greek and international grape varieties, comparing the characteristics of the Old World and the New World of wine. In addition, they will learn the fundamentals of professional wine service, including the proper use of glassware, decanting techniques, and the creation of a well-structured wine list.
A key highlight of the seminar is the art of food and wine pairing. Participants will learn how to create harmonious wine pairings for a wide range of cuisines, including Greek, Asian, and fusion gastronomy, while also exploring the ideal wine selections for pasta, risotto, pizza, cheeses, and charcuterie.
The program also features an exclusive winery visit, offering participants the opportunity to experience the winemaking process firsthand and enjoy a guided tasting of the estate’s wines. Upon completion of the course, participants will have the confidence and practical skills to correctly open and serve wine, identify key grape varieties, and create exceptional food and wine pairings, providing the perfect foundation for a future career in the world of sommeliers.
- White and Red Wine: Winemaking processes, indigenous white and red grape varieties, and their distinctive characteristics through guided wine tasting.
- Sparkling Wine: Production methods, differences and similarities between the Méthode Champenoise (Traditional Method), Prosecco, and Moscato d’Asti, followed by a guided tasting of all three sparkling wine styles.
- Sweet Wines: Understanding sweet and naturally sweet wines, the differences between Botrytized wines, Icewine, Muscat of Samos, and Sauternes, followed by a guided tasting of a sweet wine.
- Emerging Wine Trends: Exploring the growing demand for more natural, lower-sugar wines, including low-intervention, organic, biodynamic, biocyclic, and vegan wines, followed by a guided tasting of low-intervention wines.
- Masterclass: Exploring how Greece’s indigenous grape varieties express themselves across different wine regions through a comparative guided tasting.
- Masterclass: Explore the differences between Old World and New World expressions of international grape varieties, examine the latest consumer trends in the wine industry, and participate in a guided comparative tasting.
- Wine Service: Professional wine service techniques, including decanting, selecting the appropriate glassware for different wine styles, and using the Coravin® Wine Preservation System.
- Wine List Development: Learn how to create a well-structured wine list and apply best practices for proper wine storage and cellar management.
- Reading a Wine Label: Understanding PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), and Varietal Wines.
- Food & Wine Pairing: Master the principles of pairing wine with meat, fish, pasta, and risotto. Explore expertly curated recommendations from our Executive Chef and experience a guided food and wine tasting that brings theory into practice.
Fani Kolaki
Fotini Kolaki has studied chemistry at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and postgraduate studies in France where she obtained the title of oenologist - DNO at the University of Bordeaux, along with a Master's degree in oenology and viticulture. After and alongside her studies, she made 9 winemakings in France, America, New Zealand and Greece to gain the necessary practical experience in the field of winemaking. She was a professor of oenology and food tasting from 2017 to 2022 at the DELTA IEK. At the same time she works as a wine consultant in 6 wineries throughout Greece and has been active for the last 10 years in wine sales in America, Canada, Europe and Japan and is the organizer of the Wine And Art Festival. He is a wine consultant and oenologist at Karpos & Fish - Market restaurants.
Fani Kolaki and Dimitris Groumpos are two wine makers, co-founders of AD VINUM.
AD VINUM is the effort of two people to promote and sell in Greece and abroad a group of small producers from all over Greece. These boutique producers emphasize the indigenous varieties of Greece, sustainable farming and gentle winemaking, with respect to the environment and the land. At the same time, Fani and Dimitris, through their love for wine and education, have been delivering wine tasting and food & wine pairing seminars since 2017.
Dimitris Grumbos
Dimitris Groumpos is a graduate of Le monde, a wine consultant in 5 wineries throughout Greece, he is also active in wine sales in Greece and is the organizer of the Wine And Art Festival. From February 2019 until 2021 he was a professor of oenology at the IEK DELTA. He works as a Sommelier in the restaurants Karpos & Fish - Market. He has 22 years of professional experience in the food industry and has attended seminars from major implementers. Since then he has been involved in tastings and food & wine pairing techniques, an indispensable skill for a proper oenologist.
Fani Kolaki and Dimitris Groumpos are two wine makers, co-founders of AD VINUM.
AD VINUM is the effort of two people to promote and sell in Greece and abroad a group of small producers from all over Greece. These boutique producers emphasize the indigenous varieties of Greece, sustainable farming and gentle winemaking, with respect to the environment and the land. At the same time, Fani and Dimitris, through their love for wine and education, have been delivering wine tasting and food & wine pairing seminars since 2017.
With your participation in the program you are entitled to free participation in the"Career Days" that HotelBrain Group implements every year, where you will meet and talk to the Managers of all 110 hotels of the Group.
