About Us

As a Native Californian, Sheral Schowe's interest has always been focused on wine. In 1991, Sheral founded Wasatch Academy of Wine, Utah's first wine school, and she became Utah's second wine educator and first female wine educator in the state. She grew the company by word of mouth advertising into the successful business that it is today.
Sheral also helped define and develop Wine Educator Licensing for the state and helped shape wine education in Utah.

​The mission of Wasatch Academy of Wine is to provide the best, most in-depth, educational experience in wine and cultures of the world to all levels of learners. We are serious about wine education and enhancing your life experience!

Our Educators

Sheral Schowe, FWS  
Owner, Primary Wine Educator
Sheral Schowe moved from San Francisco and the Bay Area in 1978 to pursue a Masters Degree in Education Administration. She developed Utah’s first district-wide community education program serving children and adults with disabilities. Needing to raise funds to pay for the self-supporting fees required for students to participate in the programs, Sheral began teaching wine classes to generate scholarship funds which enabled hundreds of students with mental and physical disabilities to attend independent living skills classes. Sheral began her serious study in the world of wine by attending courses at UC Davis, the Bordeaux Wine Institute, the Bouilland Symposium in Bourgogne with Clive Coates and Becky Wasserman, and attending annual Society of Wine Educators’ conference sessions and tours.

​In 1991, Sheral founded Wasatch Academy of Wine, LLC, which is now Utah’s largest wine school serving hundreds of students each year from the top to the bottom of the state. As well as owning and directing Wasatch Academy of Wine, LLC, Sheral is the adjunct professor of wine studies for Salt Lake Community College Culinary Arts Department, the wine educator for Harmons Cooking Schools in seven locations and for University of Utah’s Osher and Lifelong Learning programs. Wasatch Academy of Wine, LLC is the affiliate provider of the Wine Scholar Guild’s post nominal certification courses in the areas of France and Italy with active and successful programs in Salt Lake City, Park City, St. George, and for Salt Lake Community College.

Brooke Holyoak, M.Ed.  
Wine Educator
Brooke Holyoak is a native Utahn who was raised in the Holladay area. Her parents were two of the founding members of the Utah wine and culinary group, Les Amis Du Vin, which sparked her interest in wine and great food early on in her life. Brooke is a musician, an artist, and a writer and appreciates the craft that goes into the creation of a masterpiece. "That is what draws me to wine- the process from grape to glass- so many hands, creators, working on their masterpiece, which ends up in a glass, is an incredible work of art to me." 

​Brooke is an educator for Granite School District and has taught all ages of elementary students. Currently she teaches English as a Second Language to refugee children from all over the world. "I connect to my students through their culture or their food. They really get excited if I mention a dish from their country that I like. Then they feel accepted and a part of our school because I recognize what is important to them and who they are." Brooke has her Master's degree in Education and has also taught many classes for adults as well.  "I love teaching adults, especially if they are new to wine,  because they are excited to learn, and they are expanding their world of knowledge." Brooke joined Wasatch Academy of Wine, LLC, in 1995 and has enjoyed every minute of watching and helping this company grow. 

Devin Schowe, IWS, FWS  
Wine Educator
When your mom owns a wine education company, well, you're born with wine running through your veins and the passion for wine as your heartbeat. At least that is the case for Devin Schowe. At a very early age, Devin had a very sophisticated palate. Devin tasted very small sips with food prepared for a particular wine when he was young so he has an incredible sense for wine and food pairing. Devin also honed his skills in culinary, receiving his Culinary Arts degree from Salt Lake Community College. Devin has worked in the food and beverage industry since 2009, working in various restaurants in assisting roles to the Chef, a couple of hotels as Sous Chef and service manager, and is currently the Catering and Banquet Manager for Utah Food Services. Upon completion of his degree at Salt Lake Community College, Devin dove right in to the Wine Scholar Guild's French Wine Scholar and Italian Wine Scholar Certification programs and received both post-nominals and  the highest honors on all three exams. Devin's primary focus has been on Italian wines and cuisine, but French wines and cuisine are a close second. Devin also speaks Italian and French so you are always in good hands when he is teaching the class. 

"Wine is the Passport to the World"
-Thom Elkjer