A woman with curly gray hair and glasses holding a glass of white wine at an outdoor event with palm trees and other people in the background.

Niav McNamara

DipWSET

While working as a science teacher, Niav studied for the W.S.E.T. wine examinations, ultimately achieving the WSET Diploma (Level 4).
After years of teaching – with chemistry being a particular favourite subject – Niav moved into wine retail, advising customers on food and wine pairings, helping them choose special gifts, and introducing them to new and exciting wines. During this time, Niav also hosted wine and food matching events and ran a wine club.


Niav holds a Diploma in Beer from the National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) and has been a judge for the National Off-Licence “Gold Star Wine Awards” since the competition began over 25 years ago.
From 2021 to 2023, Niav served as Vice-President of the Irish Guild of Sommeliers. In this role, Niav undertook administrative tasks, organised events, attended the Best Sommelier in Europe Competition in Cyprus in 2021 as a delegate, and set the examinations for the Best Sommelier in Ireland competitions in 2022 and 2024.


Today, Niav teaches WSET Level 2 and Level 3 classes on a part-time basis, allowing time to travel across Europe, visiting fascinating wine-growing regions, meeting winemakers, and enjoying the freedom of exploring by campervan.