Tom Staniford isn’t your typical wine student. Based in Exeter, a city in the southwest of England, he’s a marketing consultant and former elite para-cyclist who once dominated the national circuit - winning the 2011 National Para-cycling Circuit Race Championship at just 21 and competing in the UCI Para-cycling World Cup series. He later raced for Trek Bikes UK, leading both the National Time Trial and Circuit Race series, finishing on the podium in nearly every race he entered.
Tom lives with a rare genetic condition called MDP syndrome, which means he does not metabolise fat normally and cannot store it under the skin, causing numerous mobility and metabolic issues and (curiously!) affecting his hearing. When he decided to take on the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, he had no formal background in the drinks industry - and brought a unique set of accessibility needs to the classroom. Working with his educator, Rebecca Mitchell DipWSET, and the wider WSET team, the course was adapted to suit his needs. He passed with Merit, earning a Distinction in the Unit 1 exam.
“If you have a disability and are considering a WSET course; do it. We really need more diversity in this industry, and more people with disabilities proudly backing themselves as qualified experts and enthusiasts” - Tom Staniford
In this Q&A, Tom shares what drew him to wine, how he navigated the course, and why he believes wine education should be open to anyone with the passion and support to pursue it.
What first sparked your interest in wine and what motivated you to take the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines course?
I’ve always had an appreciation and an interest in food and drink and the ways they can be combined for mutual benefit. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noted that my enjoyment for things like coffee, whisky, and wine has grown and also been enhanced by knowing a little more about what it is I’m enjoying!
As a lifelong learner I wanted a quality education from tutors, or an organisation, with some credibility and even as somebody with no background or experience in wine or the hospitality industry I had heard about WSET. I browsed the website and wider internet and liked the fact the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines seemed to feature a knowledge component, an element of applying that knowledge, and also a tasting evaluation. That seemed to me to be an all-round educational qualification that covered all the aspects I wanted to learn with some focus. Beyond doing the qualification for personal enjoyment, I’m a marketing consultant and thought that maybe such a well-respected qualification might be useful if I one day sought wine or hospitality clients.
What were your expectations before starting the course, and how did the experience compare?
Having had no previous experience of wine education or courses, I didn’t have many expectations. I was encouraged to read the course textbook before the course started and I’m very glad I did – because the material is fairly extensive and covers a great deal. I was then a little apprehensive about the course, knowing how much detail the textbook contained, but my fears were mostly unfounded. Although the six tuition days were long, they were very well-structured to accommodate the ‘textbook’ sections, with breaks and tasting sessions so students were not overwhelmed. Everything was well-balanced and clear so provided you did the recommended reading and exercises outside the classroom you were well prepared.
You mentioned facing some unique challenges – can you tell us a bit more about how you managed these alongside your studies?
Firstly, I am a wheelchair user – but this was easily managed because Rebecca’s teaching venue in Exeter is accessible for wheelchair users, so I had no issues attending class or moving about in the classroom.
Secondly, I have some sight issues with colour, light sensitivity and focus. For this, the colour chart on wine intensity was a great help enabling me to make comparisons between the appropriate shades and what I had in my glass – I’d actually recommend a copy of that being provided for each student!
Light sensitivity was easily managed, again, by the venue as the classroom was airy and well-lit but each of the large windows had blinds, so the right level of light was easily created.
My textbook was written in a reasonably sized and readable font, with no major colour contrast issues, but I felt my studying could be made even easier if I had some control over the contrast and lighting. I spoke to my tutor, Rebecca, and WSET, and they very kindly provided me with a PDF version of the text so I could manipulate the font size and backlight myself.
Next (I’m sorry, this is a very long list…), I am profoundly deaf in both ears with a hearing aid on the left and a cochlear implant on the right. When WSET course videos were provided, I was able to ask for subtitles to help with my understanding. Where additional third party non-WSET videos were recommended (on YouTube for example) they also came with subtitles.
Because hearing takes up so much of my concentration, I found it difficult to hear Rebecca while I was tasting wine and trying to think about what I was tasting. This became a lot easier once I’d memorised the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting® (SAT) system because it streamlined my tasting practice and made it very efficient – freeing up more of my concentration to hear what was being said!
Finally, my cochlear implant (CI) surgery involved inserting a very slim electrode array down through the auditory nerve in my skull, which runs very close to some of the nerves we use for taste and smell. It is common for CI users to experience some small loss or change in their sense of taste following surgery – which normally resolves in time. My own palate was quite well-developed pre-surgery, and I was lucky only really to experience some minor changes to my taste perceptions so that when I began the course I had a reasonable grasp of ‘what things tasted like’. Any concerns I had over this disappeared once we began the excellent and extensive tasting tuition – practice makes perfect!
Tom's Level 3 Award in Wines certificate- as he says, 'practice makes perfect'.
How did your educator and WSET support your learning journey?
Rebecca was wonderful from the moment I first emailed her about the course. We discussed my various disabilities and the accommodations we could potentially organise to overcome them, so I was confident I would be supported and registered for the course.
Rebecca made sure the venue was accessible for wheelchair users and the classroom had good (and flexible) lighting. She made sure neighbouring rooms/classrooms weren’t likely to be noisy during our classes, and made sure my seat/table was at the front of the class so I could hear her best.
She also took care to regularly check that I had heard her (particularly during the tasting sessions, for the focus issue I mentioned above). She also confirmed I had ‘got everything’ after each tasting session, and on at least two occasions spent a few minutes with me over the lunch break just doing a quick direct comparison of some of the wine we had tasted to help me with a question I had.
“I’m extremely proud of what Tom has achieved and how he approached the course - he’s an inspiration, and I hope his journey encourages others to follow his lead” - Rebecca Mitchell DipWSET
Were there any particularly rewarding or meaningful moments during the course?
I think the biggest thing for me, as a ‘non-industry’ and ‘non-professional’ doing the course for personal enjoyment, was the fact I got to try lots of really good wine in every style – many of which I wouldn’t have if left to my own devices. Even if you didn’t take the test, or failed it, that is still a significant reward from doing the course. I have a much wider knowledge and appreciation of the sheer variety of wine and wine styles as a result of it, and a much better idea of ‘what I like’ personally, and what I’d like to try more of.
The next rewarding moment was on day four, I think, of the six days. We did a practice/mock tasting exam and I scored reasonably well. That was a nice moment because it was like ‘oh, so maybe I do know what I’m doing’. That was a nice validation and a confidence boost for the remaining study days and the exam. I had some indication I wasn’t going to completely fail that part!
The final moment was unexpected – before the exam began Rebecca told me that WSET had allowed some additional time for the written and tasting components as a result of my disabilities. I hadn’t asked for them, didn’t expect or need them in the end, but I remember thinking ‘oh, that is a nice mitigation. That could be really useful, and fair, for those who might need it’. It was memorable because it was unexpected, and just seemed like a really well-considered accommodation that would potentially support some people in the right way with their learning.
What would you say to others who may have accessibility needs and are considering a WSET qualification?
Do it. Don’t hesitate. You are unique and you have unique needs and WSET is a global organisation, well-placed to support every learner. They have tried to support accessibility broadly, so it’s really important that you see what is available and also tell them what you need. They want to support you, and they want you to pass. It is important for them and for the wider industry. And it is important for you to lead the way for others, too. So email/speak to your tutor when you’re considering a course. Discuss what you need and have a plan. Work out how you will manage the course together. And have fun doing it.
What’s next for you in your wine journey?
More drinking! No, I hope to continue to ‘expand my palate’, as they say, now armed with a great deal more understanding of what I’m drinking and why it tastes as it does. The course has been an eye-opener for me in showcasing the huge variety of styles and regions and approaches out there. So, I want to continue to explore them – it will be an ongoing and lifelong education, no doubt.
I’m not sure if I’m ready to commit right now – either financially or in terms of time – to the ‘next up’ Level 4 Diploma in Wines, although I would consider it in future. Level 3 has given me a tremendous general knowledge of wine and, as I am a big whisky fan, I’m very interested to see if their Level 3 Award in Spirits is equally rewarding. So that’s probably next.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience or your journey with wine?
Just a reiteration that if you have a disability and are considering a WSET course; do it. We really need more diversity in this industry, and more people with disabilities proudly backing themselves as qualified experts and enthusiasts. As WSET are the global leaders in this industry education, it is only right they lead the way on accessibility and they can only do so with your participation, and your feedback, and your growth.
A note from Tom’s Exeter-based educator, Rebecca Mitchell DipWSET
“Tom explained his needs clearly from the outset and came across as dedicated and eager to learn. We made sure the venue was fully accessible, adjusted the classroom layout, and worked through any sensory challenges together. From adding transcripts to videos to setting up one-to-one tuition, the aim was always to make sure he felt supported and part of the group.
I’m extremely proud of what he achieved and how he approached the course - he’s an inspiration, and I hope his journey encourages others to follow his lead.”
Tom Stanidford during his competitive racing days
More from Tom
Later this month, Tom will undergo an elective double below-the-knee amputation as part of managing his rare genetic condition, MDP syndrome. Just ahead of the operation, he completed a charity cycle ride with around 50 supporters - raising over £14,000 for local causes.
To read more about his story or support the fundraising effort, visit his JustGiving page.
Donations are open until 31 May 2025, with funds supporting the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, Wheels for Wellbeing, and two literary projects: Exeter UNESCO City of Literature and the Devon and Exeter Institution.
