The Napa Valley Wine Academy's WSET curriculum in Wines, Spirits, and Beer provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills essential for excelling in the beverage industry.

These globally recognized certifications enhance career opportunities by equipping professionals with the expertise and credentials needed to stand out and advance in their field.

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines | Online Course

Our WSET Level 1 course will help you begin to talk and taste like a professional. Gain the basic skills to describe wines accurately. Have a systematic approach to tasting and identifying wine types. Know the fundamental principles of food and wine pairing.

WSET Level 1 Award in Wine | 1 Day Virtual

This hands-on course teaches students to understand more about wine through sight, smell, and taste. By the end of the WSET level 1 course, you’ll be able to taste wine using a systematic approach and be able to identify the main styles of wine. You’ll also learn the key principles of food and wine pairing.

WSET Level 1 Award In Wines | In-Person

Our WSET Level 1 course gives you the basic skills to talk and taste like a professional. This course is designed to be hands-on and fun. You will explore different styles of wines through sight, smell, and taste and learn the fundamental principles involved in the storage and service of wine.

WSET Level 2 Award in Wine | In-Person

Enroll in the WSET Level 2 course to explore the world's wine styles and regions, and refine your tasting skills with guided tastings of approximately 30 wines. Join now and learn to identify principal grape varieties, decode wine labels, and master the WSET’s Level 2 Systematic Approach to Wine Tasting (SAT).

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines | Online Course

Dive into the exciting world of wines with our interactive WSET Level 2 Wine Online course, designed to be both educational and enjoyable. You’ll master the art of identifying key grape varieties, understanding wine labels, and enhancing your tasting skills with the WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting.

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines | Online Course

Embark on a comprehensive journey through the world of wine with our WSET Level 3 Wine Online course. You’ll gain a deep understanding of wide grape varieties and the factors influencing wine style and quality across the globe, equipping you with the knowledge to assess and explain wine like a professional.

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines | In-Person

We teach our students the WSET way of thinking. You’ll not only know the material, but you’ll also understand what they are looking for so you can feel confident on test day. You’ll also be ready for the blind tasting portion of the exam with guided tastings of approximately 80 benchmark wines.

WSET Level 4 Diploma | D1 Wine Production

Begin your WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine with D1 – Wine Production, and unlock how wine is made. Discover how every decision impacts the wine’s style, quality, and price from the vineyard to the cellar. Enroll now and transform your passion for wine into a profound understanding that sets you apart in the wine world.

WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits | Online Course

Discover the world of spirits and liqueurs with our 6-week online program, offering around-the-clock access to study materials for unparalleled flexibility. The Level 2 Award in Spirits Online mirrors the classroom syllabus within an interactive online setting, enabling peer collaboration and the support of a dedicated educator.

WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits | In-Person

A beginner-level introduction to spirits for those starting a career in the industry or pursuing an interest in spirits. For individuals new to the subject, this qualification offers a hands-on introduction to the world of spirits.

WSET Level 1 Award in Sake | Online Course

A beginner-level introduction for those starting a career in the industry or pursuing an interest in sake. If you’re new to the subject, this qualification offers a hands-on introduction through sight, smell, and taste. You’ll explore the main styles and types of sake and develop an understanding of the critical factors affecting flavors and aromas.

WSET Level 1 Award in Beer | Online

This qualification provides newcomers with a practical introduction to the beer universe, emphasizing exploring beer’s main styles and the sensory evaluation of its flavors and aromas. Participants will acquire fundamental beer knowledge, including production principles and ingredients, alongside developing a systematic beer-tasting approach.

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WSET Level 1 Award in Beer | In-Person

Are you new to beer study? Our WSET Level 1 Award in Beer course will help you begin talking about and tasting beer like a professional. For individuals new to the subject, this qualification offers a hands-on introduction to the world of beer. You’ll explore the main styles of beer through sight, smell, and taste to develop an understanding of the key factors affecting flavors and aromas.

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Close-up of a plant with a woman holding a glass of wine in the background, representing the WSET Level 2 Award in Beer course.

WSET Level 2 Award in Beer | In-Person

If you’re ready to go beyond the basics, the WSET Level 2 Award in Beer offers a deeper look at the beer ingredients, production, and the world’s famous beer styles. You’ll also elevate your tasting skills with guided tastings of key beer styles.

WSET Level 2 Award in Beer | Online

The WSET Level 2 Award in Beer extensively explores beer, covering ingredients, production processes, and globally renowned beer styles alongside enhanced tasting sessions. NVWA students gain additional resources, including access to four virtual webinars on tasting and theory, a dedicated instructor for a five-week online course, and an interactive platform for discussions and webinar access via NVWA’s Online Wine Academy.

WSET Level 2 Spirits | Online Course

This beginner-level course provides a hands-on introduction to spirits, ideal for those starting a career in the industry or exploring a personal interest. Through sensory evaluation, participants will learn about various spirit styles and types, gaining insight into the factors that influence their flavors and aromas.

WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits | In-Person

For individuals wishing to develop their expertise in spirits and liqueurs, this qualification provides comprehensive training. You’ll learn about the production methods and characteristics of the main spirit categories, while also exploring key brands and the use of spirits in cocktails. Upon successful completion, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin and will be able to use the associated WSET certified logo.

WSET Level 4 Diploma | D2 Wine Business

D2 Wine Business dives more deeply into the factors that contribute to the price of wine. You’ll also understand the many types of businesses engaged in the production of wine, available options for getting wine to the point of sale, and key considerations in wine marketing. Prerequisites: You must have taken the D1 exam to start D2 (receipt of results not required).

WSET Level 4 Diploma | D3 Wines of the World

In the WSET Level 4 D3 Wines of the World class, students examine the still wines produced in France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, USA, Canada, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and China. Prerequisites: You must have taken the D1 and D2 exams (receipt of results not required).

WSET Level 4 Diploma | D4 Sparkling Wine

Through detailed theoretical and practical study, explore the sparkling wines produced in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, the USA, South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Prerequisites: You must have taken the D1 and D2 exams (receipt of results not required).

WSET Level 4 Diploma | D5 Fortified Wine

Diploma’s Unit 5 offers a detailed exploration of the often overlooked world of fortified wines: Sherry, Port, Madeira, Vins Doux Naturels and Rutherglen Muscat. Prerequisites: You must have taken the D1 and D2 exams (receipt of results not required).

WSET Level 4 Diploma | D6 Independent Research Assignment

While Diploma’s Unit 6 is an independent project, our proprietary online classroom offers resources to ensure your paper meets WSET expectations. WSET releases two topics each August, allowing students to pick ONE. This year’s topics include low and no alcohol wines (due January 31, 2024) or regenerative viticulture (due July 31, 2024). If you don’t like either of the two available topics, you can wait until the next academic year for two new topics to be released.