WSET Level 4 Diploma | D1 Wine Production

$1,197

Most awarded WSET school in the US

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WSET Level 4 Diploma D1 Wine Production

Your Diploma journey begins with D1 – Wine Production.

D1 Wine Production kicks off the WSET Diploma programme 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.

D1 at a glance

Price: $1,197, including all study materials, digital textbook access and your exam fee
Weighting: 20% of the WSET Level 4 Diploma
Assessment: a 90-minute open-response paper, taken in person in Napa, California
Pass mark: 55%. Merit is 65–74%, Distinction 75% or above
Prerequisite: a pass in the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines or the Level 3 Award in Wines & Spirits
Resits: held on two set dates each academic year, in October and March

Where D1 sits in the Diploma

D1 must be sat before you progress to any other unit. After D1 comes D2 Wine Business, then D3 Wines of the World, D4 Sparkling Wines, D5 Fortified Wines and D6 Independent Research Assignment. See full Diploma pricing, study hours and entry requirements.

WSET Diploma New Candidate Registration

Your D1 enrolment is bundled with the $450 WSET New Diploma Candidate Registration. WSET requires all new Level 4 students to register for Diploma candidacy when enrolling in their first unit. This registers you as an official WSET Diploma Candidate for three years — enough time for most students to complete all six units. If you cannot complete all six within the initial three years, WSET charges a candidate renewal fee for a further three years of eligibility. Any exam passes carry over, so no student ever has to retake an exam they have already passed.

Wines for the course

We provide a recommended list of wines to purchase. For added convenience you can also buy an optional D1 Wine Kit of 12 curated 100ml samples from our wine kit partner, Small Lot Bottles. The purchase link is sent with your course registration confirmation, and the kit is delivered shortly before your first tasting webinar.

For upcoming course and exam dates, see the “What’s Included” section below.

What’s Included

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 limited number of wine kits are available as an additional add-on for this course via our partner's, Small Lot Bottles, website. 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.

Format & Exam

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.

WSET Level 4 D1 Webinar Schedule & Exam Dates

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: August 2, 2026

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: December 6, 2026

Course Start: January 4, 2027

8 zoom sessions: (Thursdays from 5-7pm PST) 1/7/27, 1/14/27, 1/21/27, 1/28/27, 2/4/27, 2/11/27, 2/18/27, 2/25/27
Exam: March 3, 2027

Course Start: May 17, 2027

8 zoom sessions: (Thursdays 5-7pm PT) 5/20/27, 5/27/27, 6/3/27, 6/10/27, 6/17/27, 6/24/27, 7/8/27, 7/15/27
Exam: Aug 1, 2027

Course Start: Sep 20, 2027

8 zoom sessions: (Thursdays 5-7pm PT) 9/23/27, 9/30/27, 10/7/27, 10/14/27, 10/21/27, 10/28/27, 11/4/27, 11/18/27
Exam: Dec 5, 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

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. Wine kit delivery will be right before your first tasting webinar when the course starts.

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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Next cohort: Sep 21, 2026 - Nov 19,2026

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