Certified Professional Wine Educator Course: Transform Your Passion into a Profession!

Become a Certified Professional Wine Educator

Transform your passion for wine into a rewarding profession with the Professional Wine Educator Academy™ at the Napa Valley Wine Academy. This comprehensive Wine Educator course is designed for individuals who aspire to teach, inspire, and lead with confidence in the world of wine.

Through expert instruction and immersive learning, you will deepen your wine knowledge, strengthen your teaching skills, and gain the credibility that comes with being a Certified Professional Wine Educator. The program combines theory, tasting techniques, and practical teaching strategies to prepare you for success in both classroom and professional settings.

Graduates of this Educator program join a community of respected professionals who are shaping the future of wine education worldwide.

Note: Enrollment is by acceptance only. To start your journey toward becoming a Certified Professional Wine Educator, [click here to apply] and take the next step in your teaching career.

Online Dates

Feb 10 - Apr 24, 2026

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A Story of Innovation and Excellence!

Why We Created This Course
At Napa Valley Wine Academy (NVWA), we’ve always believed that wine education is
about more than just imparting knowledge; it’s about inspiring passion, engaging
minds, and cultivating a deep appreciation for the art and science of wine. Over the
past 13 years, we've built the leading wine school in the U.S., earning recognition as
the most awarded WSET provider in the world. Our dedication and excellence have
been acknowledged with numerous accolades, including being the only institution to
win the prestigious Riedel Global Wine Educator of the Year Award twice.

Recognizing the Need
We noticed a significant gap in the wine education landscape as we grew and evolved.
While many programs focused on the technical aspects of wine, few, if any, addressed
the crucial skills needed to be a world-class wine educator. We saw a real need for
helping wine professionals learn how to engage audiences effectively, communicate
complex concepts clearly, and inspire students of all backgrounds and experience
levels.

The start of the Professional Wine Educator Academy™
Driven by this insight, we created the Professional Wine Educator Academy™. This
program culminates over a decade of experience in teaching, mentoring, and building
an award-winning educational institution. Our goal was to design a course that goes
beyond wine knowledge, focusing on the art of teaching and the skills necessary to
become a transformative educator.

Unique Focus
What sets our program apart is its unique focus on pedagogical skills tailored
specifically for wine education. No other institution seemed to offer training that truly
equipped wine professionals with the full suite of skills necessary to educate at a high
level. We wanted to fill this void and provide a comprehensive, immersive learning
experience that empowers wine professionals to excel as educators.

Our Commitment to Excellence
The NVWA Professional Wine Educator Academy™ is our response to the industry's
need for top-tier educational expertise. We have meticulously crafted this program to
cover everything from ‘how to teach tasting technique to others’’ to advanced
presentation skills to inclusive teaching practices to creating and using powerfully
effective learning tools, and much more, ensuring our graduates are not only
knowledgeable about wine but also skilled in the art of teaching it.

Catherine Bugue

Director of Education – WSET-Certified, D.W.S., IWP

Catherine is co-owner and Vice President of Education at the Napa Valley Wine Academy, overseeing WSET course delivery, instructors, and the creation of new courses. Catherine earned her Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 2010 and numerous other post-nominals and instructs advanced-level courses such as the WSET Level 3 and Diploma units. Loving to write as much as teaching, Catherine sits on the Napa Valley Vintners and St Helena Star Tasting Panel and is a wine columnist for the Napa Valley Register. Catherine previously managed international wine accounts for Balzac Communications & Marketing, where she promoted the region and wines of Navarra, Rueda, Collio, Franciacorta, Chianti Classico, and more. She lives with her husband, François, in Napa Valley, where he is in wine production.

Janet Casey

dipWSET, Master of Wine Candidate, Director of Curriculum & Development, WSET Certified Educator, Instructor

Janet Casey is Napa Valley Wine Academy’s Director of Curriculum & Development. Harnessing her Masters degree in Library & Information Science and post-graduate certification in Adult Learning & Leadership, she creates online courses and learning materials for all levels of wine students. Janet also trains the Academy’s instructors in innovative teaching methods and technologies using the latest advances in Adult Education to facilitate student learning. Janet holds the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits and teaches WSET Level 4 Diploma courses and masterclasses, with a focus on blind tasting, viticulture, sparkling and fortified production, and the wines of the France & the Mediterranean. She is passionate about expanding open access, inclusivity, and accessibility of wine knowledge and educational resources. She is a Stage 1 Master of Wine student and currently resides in Napa, California.

Join the Program!

By joining the Professional Wine Educator Academy™, you’ll benefit from the following:

Expert Instruction
Learn from award-winning wine educators, including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, our VP of Education, and industry luminaries, who bring a combined 60+ years of experience and passion to the classroom.

Comprehensive Curriculum
Gain in-depth knowledge on inspiring and engaging students using practical, innovative, and effective teaching methods.

Exclusive Community
Connect with like-minded individuals who share your dedication to wine education.

Career Advancement
Enhance your professional credentials and open new doors in the wine industry.

This program consists of a mix of virtual and in-person sessions: the first eleven (11) sessions are on consecutive Tuesday evenings from 4-6pm pacific time, and the final session is in-person at the Napa Valley Wine Academy in Napa, CA, where you will show us what you have learned (assessment presentations) and secure your status as a Professional Wine Educator.

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