Jean Cox

Meet Jean Cox, a highly accomplished instructor at Napa Valley Wine Academy. In addition to her instructor role, Jean manages our Tampa branch and coordinates venues and instructors for satellite locations throughout the United States. She is also responsible for organizing corporate and group courses and private events.
Before joining Napa Valley Wine Academy, Jean spent 19 years as a flight attendant and, later, a wine distributor. This experience sparked her interest in wine education. It led her to pursue a variety of certifications, including WSET Level 3, FWS (French Wine Scholar), SWS (Spanish Wine Scholar), CMS (Certified Sommelier), CSP (Certified Sake Professional), CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine), NVWE (Napa Valley Wine Expert), and International Sommelier Guild Level 2.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Jean is also a world traveler, having visited all seven continents, including Antarctica, twice. She and her husband are Master Divers and enjoy boating in their home state of Florida. Jean’s favorite weeknight wine is “anything new and different,” including a Txakolina from Spain, Chenin Blanc from Savennieres, or dry Riesling from Clare Valley.After her first harvest, she was hungry for more and went on to take part in harvests in Italy, Hungary, and New Zealand, as well as Napa. She has spent years working in winemaking labs analyzing the myriad of aspects that make wine great while also making great wines along the way. Since 2007 she has been with Beringer Vineyards, where she began as an Enologist and today is an Associate Winemaker with a few labels under her supervision. Tramping around vineyards, tasting fermentations at various stages and assembling final blends are some of her favorite parts of being a winemaker. Csilla also enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge about the wine industry with those who care to know.
She holds her Level 4 Diploma with the prestigious Wine & Spirit Education Trust and relishes the opportunity to educate new students at Napa Valley Wine Academy.
Married to an amazing brewer, who has taught her to appreciate great beers, she is a mother of two and spends most of her free time enjoying watching them grow.