College of Charleston Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management announces community wine education course

The Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the College of Charleston is sharing one of its most popular classes with the community in a new wine education course.

Offered in partnership with the College of Charleston School of Business Continuing and Professional Education department, Introduction to Wine & Wine Tasting is designed for wine enthusiasts as well as hospitality professionals looking to deepen their knowledge. The course draws inspiration from the College of Charleston’s popular for-credit wine course for undergraduate students.

“Our for-credit wine course has long been popular among our undergraduate students,” says Hunter Kim, director of the Bennett School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “We saw an opportunity to bring a similar experience to the broader community, whether you work in hospitality and want to expand your knowledge or simply want to feel more confident selecting, tasting and talking about wine in social settings.”

The five-week Introduction to Wine & Wine Tasting course will examine sparkling, still and fortified winemaking while introducing tools used to identify wines in blind tastings. Through a combination of lectures and tastings, participants will explore major international grape varieties and the regions where they’re found, while learning to taste, evaluate, select and discuss wine with confidence.

The course will be taught by Julie Hennigan, assistant director of food and beverage at The Charleston Place Hotel, an accomplished hospitality executive with more than 13 years of experience in operations and food and beverage management.

Earlier this year, the College of Charleston’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management became the university’s first named school following a transformational gift from Michael and Amy Bennett.

Introduction to Wine & Wine Tasting will meet Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 21 through Oct. 19, 2026. Space is limited. Learn more and register at go.charleston.edu/proed. Registration closes Sept. 14, 2026.

Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston’s mission is to provide students with a world-class education in the arts and sciences, business and technology, engineering and health sciences. Students have more than 150 majors and minors from which to choose — and they often choose to combine several—and complement their academic courses with overseas study, undergraduate research and internships for a truly customized education.

Nearly 12,000 students choose the college for its unique urban, mid-sized university feel. The College, home to undergraduates from across the country and around the globe, provides a creative and intellectually stimulating environment where students are challenged and guided by a committed and caring faculty of distinguished teacher-scholars. The city of Charleston serves as a living and learning laboratory for student experiences and opportunities for career development. The university bridges the old with the new in a setting that is truly extraordinary — where historic character and forward-looking innovation come together to shape a distinctive and inspiring environment for learning. A College of Charleston education focuses on discovery and personal growth, as well as preparation for life, work, and service to our society.