Our Origin
Founded on a Simple Complaint
The CaskMark Sommelier Guild was founded in 2019 by a small group of trade examiners frustrated with certificate mills that awarded credentials for attendance rather than demonstrated skill. We set out to build a program where a candidate's rating actually meant something to an employer, a retailer, or a private collector reviewing a cask offer.
Every module closes with a proctored, examiner-graded practicum. There is no self-assessment quiz standing between a candidate and their certificate — only a panel of trained palates and a fixed rubric.
