What Is an ISG Diploma (And Why Should You Care?)

When people find out I'm a sommelier, they usually ask two questions. The first is "what should I drink?" — always happy to answer that. The second is "what does that even mean?"

Fair question. The wine world has a lot of credentials flying around and they're not all created equal. So let me break down what I actually have and why it matters when it comes to the bottles I pick for you.

What Is the ISG?

ISG stands for the International Sommelier Guild. It's one of the most respected wine education organizations in the world, with a curriculum built around serious, rigorous wine study — not just tasting, but understanding viticulture, winemaking, regions, grape varieties, and how all of it connects.

What Is the Diploma?

The ISG Diploma is the advanced level of certification. It goes well beyond "here are some grapes, good luck."

We're talking hundreds of hours of study covering every major wine region in the world, blind tasting, production methods, food pairing, and service. It takes years of dedicated study to complete.

Think of it this way: if the entry-level certificate is a driver's license, the Diploma is closer to a commercial pilot's rating.

Why Does That Matter to You?

Because when I pick a bottle for your wine club shipment or make a recommendation for a special occasion, it's not a guess. It's not based on what was on sale or what someone told me was trending.

It's based on real knowledge — what that producer does, what that region is known for, what that vintage was like, and whether it's actually worth your money.

No wine snobbery. No filler bottles. Just real picks from someone who did the homework so you don't have to.

That's what the Diploma means. And that's what you get every time you open a Munk Mafia bottle.

Ready to let the Wine Dad pick for you? Join the Wine Club.

— Darrin, The Wine Dad