HelenaSips Wine Academy offers engaging, bite-sized wine education designed for busy individuals. Led by wine expert Helena Nicklin, our course helps you navigate wine lists confidently, understand wine styles, and make informed choices—all in under 5 minutes a day.

Helena Nicklin is an award-winning wine and spirits writer, broadcaster, and consultant with over 25 years of experience in the wine trade.

• She worked as a wine buyer for Corney & Barrow, one of the UK’s most prestigious wine merchants, earning her the nickname "The Man from Del Monte."
• Helena has written for major UK publications, including The Daily Mail, The Sun, BA High Life, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
• She is the co-producer and co-presenter of the global TV series The Three Drinkers on Amazon Prime, where she explores the world of wine and spirits in an engaging and accessible way.

With her extensive experience and engaging teaching style, Helena has designed this course to demystify wine and make learning both fun and memorable.

Helena has structured the course to guide you through the key elements of wine education. Each pre-recorded video lesson is under 5 minutes, allowing you to learn at your own pace. You can watch the lessons in any order, but we recommend following the course structure for the best experience. At almost every stage she recommends wines to buy so you can sip and slurp your way through the course. But don’t worry if you don’t have wine with you - the videos are only 5 minutes long and well worth watching. You can always re-watch with wine later. 

You will need to purchase your own wine. However, Helena recommends wines from UK stores that are perfect for the lessons. We've partnered with Coravin, a wine preservation system, so you can taste multiple wines in one evening without opening full bottles.

Yes! We have apps available for both Android and iOS, which you can find in the Play Store and App Store. You need to be a member of the academy to access the lessons through the app. So sign up now!

Absolutely. The course is designed for all levels, from complete beginners to wine enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge.

As long as your membership is active, you have unlimited access to all course materials, including any updates or new content. And don't forget the regular drop-ins with Helena herself. Download the app and get notified when she's arranging the next one. 

Yes, we offer a 14-day free trial, giving you access to a selection of videos. This trial lets you experience Helena's teaching style and see if the course is right for you. It also means you get to download the app and learn on the go!

Yes, members can participate in regular live group sessions with Helena and we are devveloping the community aspect so that you will be able to engage with a community of fellow wine enthusiasts.

You can ask questions during live sessions or drop the quetsion in the comment section below the video lesson and Helena will pick it up. In time, we will develop the community aspect of the site and you will be able to connect with the community forums, where Helena and other members are available to assist.

When you complete the course you will receive a 'Sip-certificate'. This is not formally recognised yet by the drinks industry. But your friends will give you admiring looks once they've seen it, pride of place, in your loo.

A Vinalogy is a wine-based analogy that paints memorable pictures of the world's most famous grapes and wine styles. It’s a playful and fresh way to understand wine characteristics.

As a member, you’ll have access to regular live group drop-ins with Helena, where you can ask questions and deepen your wine knowledge in real time. You will receive an email or, if you have the app and the notifications turned on, a notification alerting you to the next session. 

Members receive curated lists of must-try bottles every season, featuring wines from various retailers to suit different occasions and budgets. Si

Simply log-in and navigate to the homepage where you will now find 'Helena's Picks' as a menu item in the top navigation bar. 

Please refer to our Pricing Page for the most current membership rates and options.

We offer a 14-day free trial, giving you access to a handful of videos so you can get a flavour for Helena’s style and overeal vibe. Once you purchase the full membership, refunds are not available.