Running a wine school is corking!
LISA Moreton has managed to combine her talent for teaching with her love of wine. the 38-year-old former lecturer owns Manchester Wine School, which organises wine tastings every week.
In 2002, the mother-of-two joined the Majestic Wine Graduate programme and went on to complete her Level 3 wine qualification with the Wine & Spirit education trust.
But she then opted for a career change in 2004, becoming a higher education lecturer and went on to work at the University of Bolton, teaching on its Professional Graduate Certificate ineducation programme.
However, some 12 years later, she returned to her original career after the owner of Manchester Wine School stepped down and she took over.
Lisa, who is mother to four-year-old toby and four-month-old theo, says: ‘It’s come full circle. I started off inwine and took a few courses at the school, then I became a teacher, but now teach people about wine. It’s
EDUCATION & COURSES
worked out well. Undoubtedly, my teacher training and experience helps. I’m able to differentiate betweendifferent abilities in the group.
‘I remember getting some feedback from someone who was WSet Level 3 qualified. He was there with his girlfriend, who knew nothing about wine, but he said they both left the session having learned something, which was brilliant.’
the school uses venues around Manchester city centre and runs a wide variety of events, from individual evening tastings to eight-week courses. Students can also acquire professional wine qualifications.
Lisa’s husband richard, 35, a commercial surveyor, shares her love of wines. She is recruiting more tutors, but still regularly teaches wine courses herself. ‘I love it,’ she says. ‘the mainethos of the school is to take people who know nothing about wine and start them on their journey.
‘I had a couple who came to our fourweek introductory course in January who have been completely inspired. they’re now going on to do their Level 2 qualification and then hopefully their Level 3 qualification.’
Lisa insists that, despite her experience, she is not snobby about wine. ‘I try to get the majority of my wine for tastings from local supermarkets, so everyone can go and buy what they like,’ she says.