Completing an APWASI course, let alone multiple courses, is a significant achievement for any student aspiring to excel in the field of wine. It requires an extensive understanding of wine’s theoretical and practical knowledge, food pairings, culture and history. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the experience of a student, Keith Herndon, who has successfully completed not one, but multiple APWASI courses and explore the benefits and experiences he has gained.
Keith Herndon, Ph.D., is a journalism professor at the University of Georgia and holds the Morris Chair in News Strategy and Management. He is executive director of the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership and directs its Certificate in News Literacy program and its leadership development initiative, the Levin Leaders.
Keith is also passionate about wine and spirits and is an enthusiastic APWASI student. He completed APWASI’s Certified Wine Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator programs and finished the Certified Wine Specialist courses in Port, Sherry, Sparkling Wine and Wines of the United States. Along the way, he also earned APWASI’s Certified Spirits Professional designation by completing the courses in Whiskey, Tequila and Brandy and Cognac and writing a researched white paper on the debate surrounding the “terroir of whiskey.”
He applies his APWASI training as co-host and co-producer of the Wines We Drink podcast, which was a finalist in the 14th Taste Awards in the categories for Best Lifestyle Podcast and Best Drink or Beverage Program. The podcast’s third season will launch May 31, and will be available on all of the major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Keith is also a guest sommelier at Tapped Athens, a wine bar in Athens, Georgia, where he hosts educational wine tastings.
This year, he represented Tapped as a tasting host during Athens Wine Weekend. Keith also served as a judge in the 2022 James Beard Awards, a program recognizing exceptional achievement in the culinary arts and related media. He is recognized as one of his university’s leading teachers, earning its creative teaching award in 2019. Before becoming an educator, Keith’s career spanned more than 35 years as a reporter, editor and media technologist. He earned his Ph.D. in media and information from Australia’s Curtin University and holds a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UGA.
Congratulations Keith for all your accomplishments and we can’t see what else you will do next!
There are so many directions of which one could pursue their career in wine, as Keith has greatly demonstrated. If you are interested in starting out your career in wine, APWASI has over 30 Online Wine, Spirit and Etiquette courses that can help you to start your journey by providing you with practical and theoretical knowledge.
Check out our Wine Courses and start your wine learning journey today.
