WSET Level 4 Diploma | D1 Wine Production

WSET LEVEL 4 D1 WINE PRODUCTION COURSE

Your Diploma journey begins with D1 – Wine Production

D1 Wine Production kicks off the WSET Diploma program, and builds a foundation of theory knowledge for future units. This detailed examination of production demonstrates how key decisions in the vineyard and cellar combine to impact a wine’s style, quality, and price.

Prerequisites: A passing score for WSET Level 3 Award in Wines (or Wine & Spirits)

Bundled with $450 WSET New Diploma Candidate Registration

Price includes all study materials, digital textbook access, and exam fee.

We’ll provide a recommended list of wines to purchase for the course. For added convenience, you can also purchase an optional D1 Wine Kit, featuring 12 curated 100ml wine samples from our trusted wine kit partner. The purchase link will be sent in your course registration confirmation email.

For future course and exam dates, please see the "What's Included" section below.

WSET Diploma New Candidate Registration

The WSET requires all new Level 4 students to register for Diploma Candidacy when enrolling in their first unit, D1 Wine Production. This initial candidate registration enrolls the student as an official WSET Diploma Candidate for a period of 3 years. This is enough time for most students to complete all six units. If a candidate is not able to complete all six units in the initial three years, the WSET will require payment of a candidate renewal fee for an additional three years of eligibility. Any exam passes carry over, so no student ever has to retake any exams they have already passed.

$450.00

Course Date

May 18, 2026

Sep 21, 2026

Students

NOTE:

WSET Diploma New Candidate Registration

The WSET requires all new Level 4 students to register for Diploma Candidacy when enrolling in their first unit, D1 Wine Production. This initial candidate registration enrolls the student as an official WSET Diploma Candidate for a period of 3 years, in which they must complete all 6 units.

$450.00

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Your WSET Level 4 Diploma journey begins here. D1 – Wine Production is the first required unit in this prestigious, professional-level certification. This foundational course explores viticulture and winemaking in-depth, setting the stage for subsequent units in the Diploma program.

Explore how decisions in the vineyard and winery influence wine style, quality, and price, providing a comprehensive understanding of the grape growing and wine production processes.

Noelle Hale

dipWSET, Diploma Manager, Instructor

Noelle’s passion for wine began on a trip to New Zealand, when she discovered Marlborough makes a lot more than just Sauvignon Blanc. When she got back home, she signed up for her first WSET class and leveraged that qualification to get hired in a tasting room. Eventually she began working as a distributor sales rep and completed her WSET Diploma in 2019. She has been teaching WSET classes for the Napa Valley Wine Academy since 2017 and took over running the WSET Diploma program in 2021. She's currently a student in the MW program, so when she's not studying, you can find her running, cooking or playing with her corgi, Pal.

Csilla Kato

D.W.S., A.I.W.S, Winemaker, Instructor

Csilla was born and raised in beautiful Budapest, Hungary, and was bitten by the wine bug during high school when she helped with regular tastings at her brother’s wine shop. After a short stint in law school, she changed her focus and spent five years earning her Masters degree in Fermentation Science and Post-Harvest Technologies. Right after graduation she had the opportunity to work and travel and landed a harvest in Sonoma, California. Csilla worked with Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Chardonnay while learning the process of winemaking first hand in the famed Ravenswood Winery. 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.

Jonathan Frost

dipWSET, Winemaker, Instructor

Jonathan Frost is a current Master of Wine candidate with over ten years of winemaking experience. He holds a WSET Level 4 Diploma, a B.S. in Accounting, and is an experienced winemaker. After pursuing a career in music, John entered the wine industry in 2009 to learn under UC Davis alums in the Livermore Valley. This experience is known as the “school of broom-pushing” in the industry. In 2015, he moved to Napa Valley for a winemaking position that introduced him to a community that opened him to opportunities to work with consultants, writers, WSET instructors and the ability to trial new wine technology. He joined LAFFORT® in 2020; with his experience and inventive solutions for large and small wineries. He is known for his hands-on approach, emphasis on logistics and efficiency, and education for both the tasting room and production. He is not only a practitioner but also an instructor; John instructs for Napa Valley Wine Academy sharing his knowledge and experience with others. His approach to winemaking is not about ego but about the journey, the lifestyle, and the opportunity to share it with others. He is dedicated to doing the right things to make a great product with the right people.

At Napa Valley Wine Academy, you're not just gaining an education; you're becoming part of an elite community. As a beacon of excellence in wine education and the only twice-recognized Riedel Global Wine Educator of the Year, our courses are designed to offer more than knowledge—they offer a pathway to becoming a leading professional in the industry.

Your D1 registration includes:

Access to WSET's D1 textbook and NVWA's proprietary online classroom, including supplemental learning materials like vocab lists, dozens of mock questions, worksheets, and opportunities for graded answers.
Eight live, instructor-led Zoom sessions, which are also recorded for flexible learning
Twice-weekly open office hours with our Diploma Program Director, Noelle Hale. Bring your questions!
Registration for the next available D1 exam

A wine kit is available as an additional add-on for this course. It includes 12 (100mL) samples of wines that are tasted with an instructor during the final D1 class on Zoom. The goal is to learn how many of the winemaking techniques you learn about in D1 appear in the glass. While calibration is not the focus of the tasting class, completed tasting grids are provided for each wine so you can use them for calibration if you wish.

WSET Level 4 D1 Webinar Schedule & Exam Dates

Course Start: January 5, 2026

8 zoom sessions: (Thursdays from 5-7pm PST) 1/8/26, 1/15/26, 1/22/26, 1/29/26, 2/5/26, 2/12/26, 2/19/26, 2/26/26
Exam: 3/4/26

Course Start: May 18, 2026

8 zoom sessions: (Thursdays from 5-7pm PST) 5/21/26, 5/28/26, 6/4/26, 6/11/26, 6/18/26, 6/25/26, 7/9/26, 7/16/26
Exam: 8/2/26

Course Start: September 21, 2026

8 zoom sessions: (Thursdays from 5-7pm PST) 9/24/26, 10/1/26, 10/8/26, 10/15/26, 10/22/26, 11/5/26, 11/12/26, 11/19/26
Exam: 12/6/26

The D1 module covers all aspects of wine production from vine to bottle, including viticulture and winemaking processes. You'll learn how different practices affect the final product, preparing you for more specialized subjects in future modules.

The course offers flexible learning via live webinars, supplemented with comprehensive online resources. All live sessions are scheduled in the evening to accommodate various time zones and lifestyles.

In-person Exam

You are automatically registered for the next available in-person exam in Napa, CA upon course enrollment, but you may change your exam date within your course Exam Options page. Click here to see all exam options.

A passing score on the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is required to enroll. This course is ideal for those looking to deepen their professional wine knowledge or pivot to a career in the wine industry.

All D1 webinars run from 5-7pm PST on Thursdays, accommodating a broad range of schedules and allowing for evening participation regardless of your daytime commitments.

Why Choose Us

Choosing Napa Valley Wine Academy for your WSET Level 4 Diploma means selecting an institution recognized for its excellence and unique educational approach. With accolades like the Riedel Global Wine Educator of the Year Award and a track record of success, we are uniquely equipped to guide you through your wine education journey. Our courses are more than a learning experience; they are an opportunity to join an elite community of wine professionals and enthusiasts who are passionate about advancing their expertise.

What prerequisites are required for the WSET Level 4 Diploma D1 Wine Production course?

To enroll in the WSET Level 4 Diploma D1 Wine Production course, you must have successfully passed the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. This ensures that all participants have a solid understanding of wine fundamentals before advancing to more complex topics.

Can I enroll in the course if I am new to wine studies?

The WSET Level 4 Diploma is designed for individuals with significant prior knowledge. If you are new to wine studies, we recommend starting with lower-level WSET courses, such as Levels 1 and 2, to build a strong foundational knowledge before progressing to Level 4.

Where can I order the wine kit?

You can order the wine D1 wine kit from Small Lot Bottles on their website.

How is the course delivered?

The course is delivered through a combination of eight instructor-led webinars via Zoom, supplemented by a comprehensive suite of online learning materials and support resources available in our online classroom. All webinars are recorded and available for later review to accommodate different learning paces and time zones.

What materials will I receive as part of the course?

You will receive access to a digital textbook published by the WSET, as well as NVWA's proprietary online classroom containing study worksheets, vocabulary lists, and other supportive resources. An optional 12-sample wine kit is also available for purchase, which is used during the instructor-led tasting class to illustrate winemaking techniques.

What is the format of the exam, and where is it held?

The exam is a 90-minute written test consisting of multi-part, open-response style questions. It must be taken in-person in Napa, CA. NVWA offers the D1 exam multiple times each year for maximum flexibility.

When will I receive my exam results?

Exam results are issued via email approximately three months after the exam date. All exams are graded at WSET's headquarters in London.

What happens if I cannot attend one of the scheduled webinars?

All webinars are recorded and posted in the online classroom as soon as Zoom finishes its automatic post-processing. You can review the recordings at any time throughout the course to catch up or refresh your knowledge.

Can international students enroll in the course?

Yes, international students are welcome to enroll in the course. Keep in mind that the live webinar times are listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST), and the final exam must be taken in-person in Napa, CA.

What support will I have access to during my studies?

You will have access to instructor support throughout the course and classes, along with peer interaction in the online classroom. Our learning platform is designed to foster an interactive and supportive learning environment.

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