Napa Valley Wine Academy

Napa Valley Wine Academy: WSET certifications and training in wine, spirits, beer, and sake

Napa Valley Wine Academy is a wine and beverage school based in Napa, California, that delivers Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certifications from Level 1 through the Diploma (Level 4). The academy presents itself as one of the most awarded wine and beverage schools in the United States and was recognized as WSET Educator of the Year in 2016 and 2019, receiving the Riedel Trophy on both occasions. Since 2011, more than 53,530 students have taken its programs, and its faculty is made up of 30 expert instructors.

WSET course offerings: from Level 1 to Diploma

The academy structures its offerings across four progressive levels, with in-person and online options, including on-demand and instructor-led formats.

• Level 1 (Foundation): certifications in wine, spirits, sake, and beer. Level 1 wine is offered in person, online on demand, and online instructor led; the spirits, sake, and beer levels are delivered online instructor led or on demand.
• Level 2 (Intermediate): certifications in wine, spirits, beer, and sake. Level 2 wine includes in-person, online on-demand, online instructor-led options, and a Vineyard BootCamp. There is also a combined Level 2 and 3 online bundle.
• Level 3 (Advanced): advanced wine certification with early access, in-person format, Harvest Bootcamp 2026, Vineyard BootCamp 2027, and online instructor led. A full mock exam (theory and tasting) is offered, along with a combined Level 2 and 3 online bundle. Level 3 spirits is delivered online instructor led.
• Level 4 (Diploma): WSET Diploma program with standalone modules: D1 Wine Production, D2 Wine Business, D3 Wines of the World, D4 Sparkling Wines, D5 Fortified Wines, and D6 Independent Research. Combined D1+D2 and D4+D5 bundles are offered, as well as a D3 mock exam (tasting and theory).

Specialist certifications and additional programs

In addition to WSET certifications, the academy offers a catalog of specialist certifications and continuing education programs:

• Specialist certifications: TasteCoach™ Wine Fundamentals, Champagne Fundamentals, TasteCoach™ Wine Intermediate, American Wine Expert, Bordeaux Wine Specialist, Certificate in Scotch Whisky, Napa Valley Wine Expert, Oregon Wine Expert, Rhône Valley Wine Specialist, Wines of Georgia, and Champagne Specialist.
• Professional training: Professional Wine Educator, Beverage Staff Training, Bootcamps, and Masterclasses.
• On-campus courses: TasteCoach Blinds - Napa, TasteCoach Masterclasses - Napa, Wine Flavor Compounds Masterclass, Champagne Specialist in Napa, Nashville, Los Angeles, and Tampa.
• Study tools: WSET Study Tools, Wine Tasting Labs, Study Tools for wine, spirits, and beer, one-on-one coaching, Level 3 and D3 mock exams, WSET Wine Kits, and TasteCoach™ White Wine and Red Wine.
• Resources: wine regions, educational videos, articles on WSET, wine, spirits, and beer, and key learning tools such as online blind tasting, online educational media, and in-person masterclasses.

Travel programs and in-person experiences

The academy organizes trips and bootcamps in wine-producing regions. The calendar includes a trip to Chile from September 27 to October 3, 2026, a trip to Argentina from March 7 to 13, 2027, and a Napa Valley Winemaker Bootcamp from September 13 to 16, 2027. It also offers in-person masterclasses in Napa and other cities, and programs such as Monday Blind Tasting Napa and Share a Glass Los Angeles.

Premier Crew™ membership

Premier Crew™ is a practice-driven membership designed for those who want to continue their education and build tasting confidence, structural consistency, and precision month after month. The membership includes instant, unrestricted access to eight on-demand online courses at no additional cost.

Student profile and teaching approach

The academy segments its offerings according to the student's goal: enthusiasts looking to get started in tasting and food pairings, professionals who need credentials for their career (WSET Levels 2-4 and Diploma), and curious learners interested in exploring beyond wine, with training in spirits, beer, and sake. Teaching combines theory and practice, with tools such as aroma kits, tasting labs, and mock exams.

Awards and track record

Napa Valley Wine Academy has been named WSET Educator of the Year twice, in 2016 and 2019, receiving the Riedel Trophy both times. The school presents itself as a WSET provider with a differentiated approach and a track record of more than 53,530 students trained since 2011.

Location and contact

Phone: +1-855-513-9738 · Email: support@napavalleywineacademy.com