The Larry Ruvo Academy at Southern Glazer's Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada raises the bar in beverage education for wine, spirits, and beer.

  • Upcoming classes
  • About
  • Wine
  • Spirits
  • Beer
  • Sake


JANUARY

 

01.09.25 | Wine 101: Introduction to Wine | Registration opens on 11.08.24

 

01.16.25 | Wine 102: Introduction to Fine Wine Service | Registration opens on 11.15.24

 

01.22.25 | Aperitivo World Masterclass | Registration opens on 11.22.24

 

01.23.25 | Wine 103: Principles of Food & Wine Pairing | Registration opens on 11.22.24

 

01.29.25 | Spirits 101: An Introduction to Spirits | Registration opens on 11.29.24


 

FEBRUARY

 

02.05.25 – 03.26.25 | ASFS: Academy of Spirits and Fine Service Masterclass | Registration opens on 12.05.24

 

02.06.25 – 02.27.25 | Wine 201: Viticulture & Vinification | Registration opens on 12.06.24

 

02.18.25 | Cocktail 101 | Registration opens on 12.18.24


 

MARCH

 

03.06.25 – 03.27.25 | Exploring the Wine Regions of France | Registration opens on 01.06.25


 

APRIL

 

04.03.25 – 04.24.25 | Exploring the Wine Regions of Italy | Registration opens on 02.03.25

 

04.09.25 – 05.14.25 | ABC: Academy of Bartending & Cocktail Masterclass | Registration opens on 02.10.25


 

MAY

 

05.08.25 – 05.22.25 | Exploring the Wine Regions of Germany, Austria, Greece, and The LevantRegistration opens on 03.07.25

 

05.28.25 | Aperitivo World MasterclassRegistration opens on 03.28.25


 

JUNE

 

06.05.25 | Beer 101: An Overview of Beer | Registration opens on 04.04.25

 

06.12.24 | Beer 201: Ales of the World | Registration opens 04.11.24

 

06.19.25 | Beer 202: Lagers of the World | Registration opens on 04.18.25

 

06.23.25 | Cocktail 101 | Registration opens on 05.23.25


 

JULY

 

07.23.25 | Spirits 101 | Registration opens on 05.23.25


 

AUGUST

 

08.08.24 – 08.29.24 | ASFS: Academy of Spirits and Fine Service Masterclass | Registration opens on 06.20.25


 

SEPTEMBER

 

09.11.25 – 10.02.25 | Exploring the Wine Regions of USA | Registration opens on 07.11.25


 

OCTOBER

 

10.09.25 – 10.23.25 | Exploring the Wine Regions of Oceania, South America, and Southern Africa | Registration opens on 08.08.25

 

10.29.25 – 12.23.25 | ABC: Academy of Bartending & Cocktail Masterclass | Registration opens on 08.29.25


 

NOVEMBER

 

11.06.25 – 11.20.25 | Business Skills for the Sommelier | Registration opens on 09.05.25


 

DECEMBER 

 

12.04.25 – 12.11.25 | Introduction to Sake and the Spirits of Asia | Registration opens on 10.04.25

Disclaimer:
Seats for each course are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The submission of your registration form does not guarantee enrollment. The instructor will contact you 3-4 weeks prior to the start of the course to notify you of your acceptance.
If you are accepted into the course, it is imperative that you notify the instructor via email should you be unable to attend a session or must forgo the entire course. Failure to provide such notification may result in the forfeiture of your seat for future courses.

 

For additional information, please contact The Larry Ruvo Academy at Academy@sgws.com

Joe Phillips

Master Sommelier, Director of Product Education

 

Joe Phillips was part of the opening team for the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas and became a Master Sommelier during his career there. He is an active examiner and educator for the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Educator for the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Joe is a Director of Product Education for Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits, and Beer of Nevada and makes frequent guest appearances at many venues in Las Vegas, Reno, and UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. He previously managed award-winning wine programs for the Bellagio Hotel & Casino and the MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas. 

Livio Lauro

Director of Mixology
 

 Livio Lauro started his beverage career more than 25 years ago in Southern Italy at the famous Club Valentino, and later at the cocktail-centric Dolce Vita. The recipient of several prestigious awards in international cocktail competitions, Livio was recognized in 2002 for passing the final Capo Barman AIBES exam, the most prestigious testing series sanctioned by the Italian Bartenders Association. Livio is widely recognized as one of the most instrumental figures in the resurgence of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) and is the founding President of the Guild’s Master Accreditation program which is the premier national testing body for bartenders in the United States.

Jennifer Huether

Master Sommelier, Director of Product Education

 

Jennifer’s love affair and studies in wine started in her early twenties after taking an interest course. From there, she immediately leapt into the Sommelier Certification from ISG graduating top of class, then Diploma of Wine from WSET, followed by the Advanced Sommelier passing in 2005 and finally the Master Sommelier Exams. In 2011 she was awarded the prestigious Master Sommelier designation becoming the first women in Canada to achieve it.  While studying Jennifer has also worked in the wine business and some notable posting’s have been Head Sommelier for MLSE in Toronto where she was overseeing multiple properties, heading sales and education for Napa Vintner Cliff Lede in Canada and education with Jackson Family Wines. 

Wine 101 series logo

Wine 101 Series

The Wine 101 courses are designed to work together since they cover the basic ideas for wine appreciation, proper wine service, and how to pair wine with food. Any student taking all three courses will acquire the basic skills necessary to serve wine with confidence in a restaurant or bar. However, each course is a stand-alone course, allowing students the option to take just one, or all three. 

Wine 103 series logo

Wine 103: Principles of Food and Wine Pairing

In this seminar we will explore and experience the main principles of pairing wine with food. We will discover the impact that the major flavor components of food have on our perception of wine and discuss ways to create harmony between food and wine.

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Wine 201: Viticulture and Vinification

In this four-part series we will unpack foundational knowledge of grape growing and wine making. We will discover where and how wine grapes are grown as well as how agricultural practices and weather impact the outcome of the wine produced.

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Exploring the Wine Regions of France

During the four sessions of this immersive class, we will explore the main wine regions of France, including Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace, and the Rhône Valley. We will taste classic examples of wines from these regions while learning about their wine laws and diverse wine styles produced.

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Exploring the Wine Regions of Germany, Austria, Greece and The Levant

In this three-part series we will explore the historic wine growing Countries of Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Israel. We will discover and taste their ancient grape varieties, wine styles and learn about the unique climates, culture, food from their major wine regions. We will discuss wine laws from these unique and diverse places and learn about how these wines work with food.

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Exploring the Wine Regions of Italy

During the five sessions of this immersive class, we will explore the wine regions of northern, central, and southern Italy. We will taste classic examples of wines from key regions of the country while learning about the wine laws and diverse wine styles produced. 

Wine series logo

Exploring the Wine Regions of Oceania, South America, and South Africa

In this exciting three-part series we will explore the wine regions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. These unique wine growing countries have vastly different cultures, wine styles and climates and wine law and we will learn about what makes each of these Countries and their wines unique.

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Exploring the Wine Regions of the USA

In this exciting four-part series, we will learn about the history of wine in the United States. We will take a deep dive into the wine regions of Washington State, Oregon, and California to discover why and how the US has become a huge driver in the world of wine.

Wine series logo

Business Skills for the Sommelier

In this three-part series we will learn about what the day-to-day role and responsibilities are of a working Sommelier. We will break down wine-math and costing as well as learn all the terminology around creating a profitable wine program. We will also define different styles of wine programs and give each student a case study to work on and present. 

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Spirits 101: An Introduction to Spirits

This stand-alone, 4-hour session covers the basics of distilled beverages, spirits. Learn about the different varieties of spirits, their ingredients, the distillation process, and proper service technique.

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Cocktail 101

During this course participants will learn the principles of making drinks, popular cocktail families, basic garnishing techniques, and discuss proper ways to mix various styles of classic cocktails. 

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ASFS: Academy of Spirits and Fine Service Masterclass

This 8-Week MasterClass will take a deep dive into the world of spirits. We will uncover all the aspects of spirits making and understand how they play a role in what is in the glass. Over 50 different spirits and liqueurs will be tasted in class, and we will discuss the proper ways to serve and pair them with food. You will walk away with insights that can be applied at your venue.

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ABC: Academy of Bartending & Cocktail Masterclass

During the six sessions of this intensive MasterClass, we will travel through two centuries of cocktail knowledge to learn classic and contemporary Mixology. We will also provide an in-depth understanding of cocktails and each of their components as well as give the tools required to become a lead bartender at any bar. Lastly, candidates will create their own cocktail list and mix their own signature cocktail.

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Aperitivo World Masterclass

During this 3-hour session we will go through the fascinating journey of Italy’s most decadent ritual. We will cover how to run a profitable aperitivo event at your venue while tasting and discussing the most prominent classic and modern aperitivo drink trends.

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Beer 101: An Overview of Beer

Beer 101 is a foundational course tailored for professionals in the restaurant and bar industry, offering a comprehensive introduction to the world of beer. Participants will develop a solid understanding of beer origins, brewing processes, and styles.

Beer Series logo

Beer 201: Ales of the World

During this course we will learn about the history of ale, a style that dates back thousands of years. We will trace its development into the contemporary styles available today and taste several examples that help define the category. There are no prerequisites for this class, but we do recommend taking Beer 101 to get the most out of this session. 

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Beer 202: Lagers of the World

Lagers are relatively new to the world of beer, first emerging only 500 to 600 years ago. Although late to the scene, it is the most consumed style of beer in the United States. In this course we will explore the history and development of lager beer while tasting a variety of interpretations available in the current market. 

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Introduction to Sake and the Spirits of Asia

Build a beverage foundation for the alcoholic beverages that originated in Asia. Participants will learn the process of sake production, taste examples of the most common styles, and discuss proper ways to serve it. We will explain the basic production methods for baijiu, shochu, and soju and taste examples from each category. 

Instructor with Students

A Center of Innovation & Education

The Larry Ruvo Academy at Southern Glazer's Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada “raises the bar” in food and beverage education. Established in 2000, the Academy has graduated thousands of food and beverage professionals who have gone on to work in influential positions at resorts and restaurants in Las Vegas and beyond. The unique learning space is fully integrated with a host of impressive audio and visual tools that enable remote learning of various classes and events. Advance your career today!