Monika Bielka-Vescovi
dipWSET, Instructor, Exam Officer
Monika is an international wine educator, judge, entrepreneur, journalist, and university lecturer currently holding the WSET Diploma. Monika has mentored WSET students, taught accredited courses up to the WSET Diploma level, and lectured for over 12 years in the USA, UK, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, and Thailand bringing multicultural experiences to the classroom. She is the founder and honorary President of the Polish Women and Wine Association, Weinakadmieker at Weinakademie Österreich in Rust and Ambassador of the European Association of Sommeliers. She is also a founder of sommelier school Szkola Sommelierow in Poland. In 2017, Monika was awarded the best female entrepreneur award by the Law Business Quality Magazine, and in 2019 she received the Polish Women of Wine Award. Her hospitality experience as beverage director and wine trainer at the five-star Six Senses Resorts and Spas in Asia, and fine dining management in Memphis TN, Broomfield & Boulder CO brings a wealth of practical experience to her classroom. Monika has many years of wine buying experience and has created several award-winning wine lists for her clients. Monika loves to study and continues her wine journey as a student of the Institute of Masters of Wine, Stage 2, UC Davis Winemaking, and Rioja Wine Educator.
Jess Helfand
Instructor, dipWSET, WSET Certified Educator
Jess is an economist by training who has always had a love of wine and spirits. She completed the WSET Diploma in 2016 and has been teaching for the academy since 2017. Her primary goal as an educator is to make wine accessible at any level, from the beginner to the advanced student. Jess is a WSET Certified Educator and also holds the titles of Italian Wine Professional (IWP), Certified Sherry Wine Specialist (CSWS), Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), and Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS). She also has an MA in Policy Economics from Tulane University and an MBA from the University of Maryland. After 11 years in Washington, DC, Jess relocated to Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three cats. When not teaching, Jess works in a wine and spirits boutique and continues in her position as an economist.
Jean Cox
WSET Level 3 Certified, WSET Certified Educator, FWS, SWS, Certified Sommelier , Instructor
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 sales rep with a wine distributor and a buyer in a botique wine shop. 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.
Related Courses
and Classes
Wine Can Be Complex.
Wine Education Shouldn't Be.
Wine Education Shouldn't Be.
Whether you’re looking to advance in your career with a WSET certification or just be more confident in the wine aisle, we offer the instruction and support you need to achieve your wine education goals. With Napa Valley Wine Academy, you can:
- Earn your WSET certification (Levels 1-4) from the world’s largest, most-awarded program provider
- Get the basics without the stress of certification in our Wine 101 or 201 courses
- Gain an edge in a certain wine region with one of our specialty certifications
- Learn hands-on in an immersive wine experience