Napa Valley Wine Academy - About Us

Napa Valley Wine Academy - About Us

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE INFORMATION

It’s about the people.

How can learning about something you have a passion for be made better?
Meet other people who are passionate about the same thing

We put the student at the center of everything we do.

OUR CULTURE

Our Core Values & Wine Education Philosophy

ACCESS

We believe anyone should have access to resources + guidance to become a confident wine authority

We're always seeking to break down any barriers so that all students accomplish their goals

EMPOWERMENT

We design our courses to be approachable and fun — for any level.

Everyone learns differently, and we're always seeking new ways to present the material

COMMUNITY

Elevate your wine expertise in good company with world-class instructors and 25,000+ students

Join a group of like-minded individuals who are as passionate about learning as they are about wine

Why We Created Napa Valley Wine Academy

We’re passionate about our community and expert instructors they are the reason we exist.
Partners in wine education, Christian Oggenfuss, Catherine Bugue, and Jurg Oggenfuss have a combined 70+ years of experience in the wine business and came together in 2012 to found Napa Valley Wine Academy. Their goal then was as crystal clear as it is today: to create a professional learning environment where the student comes first, and excellence in education includes the entire experience: from pre-class correspondence to engaging classes with top instructors. They have always been agents of change and this new endeavor was no different
  1. Napa Valley Wine Academy is born

    2011

  2. 2014

    Launched our Online Learning Platform

  3. Designed & Launched Our First Proprietary Course: Wine 101

    2015

  4. 2016

    Awarded WSET & Riedel Global Educator of the Year

  5. Became a WSET Diploma Provider

    2017

  6. 2018

    Hit 4,000+ Students Educated in a Year

  7. Awarded WSET & Riedel Global Educator of the Year for a Second Time

    2019

  8. 2020

    First Cohort of Diploma Student Graduate

  9. Launched Wine 201 Wines of the World Online Course

    2021

Group 1355 1

2011

Napa Valley Wine Academy is born
Group 1355 3

2014

Launched our Online Learning Platform
Group 1355 2

2015

Designed & Launched Our First Proprietary Course: Wine 101
Group 1355 1

2017

Became a WSET Diploma Provider
Group 1355 3

2018

Hit 4,000+ Students Educated in a Year
Group 1355 2

2019

Began offing Study Trips to Europe, South America and Mediterranean destinations
Group 1355 1

2018

Awarded WSET & Riedel Global Educator of the Year for a Second Time
Group 1355 3

2020

First Cohort of Diploma Student Graduate
Group 1355 2

2021

Launched Wine 201 Wines of the World Online Course

SIMPLIFYING THE WORLD OF WINE

for All Levels

Here’s how we’re making it easier for anyone to become a confident wine authority.

Vector 22

The Courses

A Clear Path Forward

Our curriculum is designed to be informative and engaging.

Vector 23

The Instructors

The Perfect Pairing

Our instructors are wine experts and expert teachers.

Vector 24

The Community

Learn and Laugh Together

We’re building more than an online learning platform, we’re creating a space for connection.

How We’re Different

We’re Premier, not Pretentious

We design our programs for students, not snobs. We know wines are complex, but believe wine education should be approachable and fun.

(There’s a reason we have some of the highest pass rates in the industry.)

WSET Educator of the year 2016

AWARD WINNING

2x WSET Educator of the Year
WSET Global Wine Educator of the Year 2019

HELPING ENTHUSIASTS AND PROFESSIONALS
BECOME CONFIDENT WINE AUTHORITIES.

Curious

Passionate

Professional

IN-PERSON COURSE & WORKSHOP REFUNDS & TRANSFERS

Cancellations of confirmed in-person course enrollments and workshops are accepted up to 60 days before the start of the course. An administration fee of $50 plus the full cost of the study materials and exam fees will be deducted, and the remainder of the course fee refunded to the payee. Separate WSET exam cancellation/transfer rules apply.
Transfers of a confirmed enrollment to another course are accepted 60 days before the course start date with an administration fee of $50.

Cancellations less than 60 days before the in-person course start date or course no shows forfeit any refund/transfer options unless students can provide medical documentation. If medical documentation is provided, students can be transferred to a later course. No refunds will be applied.

Course Transfers cannot be carried forward to the next academic year (which commenced on January 1).

Students are highly encouraged to purchase separate travel insurance.

You've got this!

Flamingo Hotel Las Vegas

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

February 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

3555 Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

 

You've got this!

Mariott Santa Ynez

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

April 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

555 McMurray Road

Buelton, CA 93427

 

You've got this!

Art Hotel Denver

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

March 5, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Mountain)

at

1201 Broadway

Denver, CO 80203

 

You've got this!

Aloft Nashville

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

February 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Central)

at 

1719 West End Ave.

Nashville, TN 37203

 

You've got this!

Epicurean Hotel

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

March 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Eastern)

at

1207 S Howard Ave,

Tampa, FL 33606

 

You've got this!

Street View of HQ

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

January 22, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

2501 Oak Street

Napa, CA 94559

 

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