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.
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.
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 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