WSET Level 2 Award in Wine | In - Person - Napa Valley Wine Academy
WSET Level 3 Award in Wines | In - Person - Napa Valley Wine Academy
WSET Level 2 Award in Wine | In - Person - Napa Valley Wine Academy
WSET Level 3 Award in Wines | In - Person - Napa Valley Wine Academy

WSET Level 2 Award in Wine | In-Person

Ready to Go Beyond the Basics?

You know your way around a wine list, but you’re ready for more. You want to understand why wines taste the way they do—and how to tell a great one from a good one.

Imagine tasting through 30 wines from around the world, learning to identify regions, grape varieties, and styles with clarity. You can decode labels, recognize quality, and speak with genuine confidence—whether at a dinner table or in a professional setting.

The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines at Napa Valley Wine Academy takes you deeper into the world’s wine regions and styles. You’ll explore grape varieties, sparkling and fortified wines, and learn the WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) alongside our expert instructors.

With a decade of experience helping students succeed, we’ve built a hands-on, engaging course filled with tastings, group activities, mock exams, and dedicated instructor support.

Join America’s most awarded wine school and take your knowledge—and confidence—to the next level.

➡️ Download the Course Specification

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NOTE:

1. WSET now issues Digital Certificates and Badges as a fast, sustainable, and secure alternative to shipping paper certificates and physical pins.

2. WSET Wine Courses now include digital textbooks by default, accessible after purchase. A printed textbook is optional and can be added at checkout for an additional cost.

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines at Napa Valley Wine Academy

The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, presented by Napa Valley Wine Academy, America's premier wine school, is a prestigious qualification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) based in London. This course is perfect for both budding wine enthusiasts and those seeking to enhance their professional career in the wine industry, offering comprehensive insights into wine tasting and winemaking from around the world.

As the most celebrated WSET provider in the U.S., Napa Valley Wine Academy delivers an extensive program that includes a systematic approach to tasting and an exploration of significant wine regions. Explore the wines of Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa through our structured WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting® (SAT), which covers around 40 wines.

Our expert instructors, renowned in the industry, provide a dynamic blend of scholarly and practical education. The curriculum is designed to broaden your understanding of key wine styles and production techniques, and includes focused sessions on major grape varieties and labeling laws, enhancing both your knowledge and tasting prowess.

Pass the Exam and Display Your Credentials Instantly! As soon as you pass, you'll get a digital badge and certificate to celebrate your accomplishment. Share it instantly on LinkedIn, social media, or with your professional network to showcase your achievement!

Earning the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines certifies your ability to discuss wine confidently and make educated decisions within the industry or as a personal passion. It is an ideal step for those looking to deepen their wine knowledge and tasting skills.

Start your journey in wine education with Napa Valley Wine Academy, multiple-time winner of the Wine Educator of the Year award, and embrace a commitment to excellence that distinguishes you in the world of wine.

Download the WSET Level 2 Wine Course Specification

Enrolling in WSET In-Person Course

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.

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.

Learn from the Best

Imagine learning from top wine experts, including Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine, who bring not just their knowledge but also their passion for wine into every lesson. At Napa Valley Wine Academy, your education is led by these experts, who are eager to share their insights and experiences with you, helping you to not only learn but also love the journey.

Consistently High Success Rates

You want results, and our track record speaks for itself. We're proud to have one of the highest pass rates globally for WSET exams. This success comes from our commitment to providing you with the best preparation possible, ensuring you feel confident and well-equipped to excel in your exams.

Tailored Online Resources

Your learning needs are unique, which is why we offer a comprehensive suite of online tools. These resources are designed to fit your lifestyle, allowing you to study whenever and wherever it suits you best. Whether you prefer hitting the books at dawn or reviewing notes during a lunch break, we've got you covered.

Personalized Support

At Napa Valley Wine Academy, you’re not just another student. Our mentoring and coaching sessions are tailored to address your specific needs, helping you overcome any challenges and make the most of your study time. We're here to guide you every step of the way.

Get Ready Before You Arrive

Feel prepared from day one with our online pre-course study modules available to you right after enrollment. These modules help lay a solid foundation so that when you step into our classroom, you’re already on your way to becoming a wine expert.

Join Thousands of Satisfied Learners

Each year, over 6,000 students choose to start their wine education with us. Join a community of like-minded enthusiasts and professionals who are all on their journey to mastering wine. Here, you're part of a group that supports and grows together.

Recognition and Respect in the Wine World

When you study with us, you join the ranks of the most awarded and respected WSET approved program provider in the world. Your certification from Napa Valley Wine Academy is not just a piece of paper—it’s a passport to opportunities in the wine industry and a marker of excellence recognized globally.

We’re Invested in Your Satisfaction

We know that you’ll love your experience with us because our current students do! They consistently tell us how much they appreciate our engaging courses, the expertise of our instructors, and our supportive, community-focused environment. We’re dedicated to your satisfaction and committed to making your learning experience both enriching and enjoyable.

Choosing Napa Valley Wine Academy means placing yourself at the forefront of wine education. Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in the wine industry or enhance your personal passion for wine. We’re excited to be part of your journey and are here to support you every sip of the way.

Your Registration Fee Includes

  • 16 hours of live in-person instruction 
  • Registration and exam fees
  • Tastings of over 40 wines
  • Free access to the WSET eBook textbook via the WSET Global Reader (online, iOS, and Android) 

Pass the Exam and Display Your Credentials Instantly! As soon as you pass, you'll get a digital badge and certificate to celebrate your accomplishment. Share it instantly on LinkedIn, social media, or with your professional network to showcase your achievement!

Access to our proprietary online pre-course study modules.Upon enrollment, students gain access to their online course for preparation before the in-person class. Our online course study is self-paced and accessible 24/7 with videos, hands-on experiments, and interactive quizzes.

  1. Systematic tasting technique, wine service and storage
  2. Factors influencing style, quality and price of wine, label terminology
  3. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – the grapes and wine style differences from around the world – the basics on Burgundy
  4. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc – the grapes and wine style differences from around the world – the basics on Bordeaux
  5. Syrah/Shiraz, Grenache and Riesling – the grapes and wine style differences from around the world – the basics on the Rhone and Germany
  6. Other important white grape varieties/wines, sweet wines
  7. Other important black grape varietals/wines
  8. Sparkling & fortified wines (Sherry and Port)
  9. Exam: 1 hour, 50 multiple-choice questions.

This course is offered as a 2-day intensives in-Person course in the following locations (dates may vary):

Denver - 1201 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 - Denver International Airport (DEN) is the nearest airport

Napa - NVWA HQ - 2501 Oak St, Napa, CA 94559 - San Francisco (SFO) or Sacramento (SMF) are the nearest airports

Nashville - 1715 West End Avenue, Nashville, 37203 TN - Nashville Airport (BNA) is the nearest airport

Tampa - The Epicurean - 1207 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606 - Tampa International (TPA) is the nearest airport

Santa Barbara - 1500 Alamo Pintado Rd, Solvang, CA 93463 - Santa Barbara (SBA) is the nearest airport

Los Angeles - Hilton Culver City - 6161 West Centinela Ave. Culver City, CA 90230 - Los Angeles International (LAX) in the nearest airport

All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

PREREQUISITE: This is an intermediate course and suitable for students with basic knowledge. Students with no previous knowledge should consider either our Wine 101 course or the WSET Level 1 Award in Wine

RECOMMENDED STUDY HOURS needed to pass the exam with distinction is 28 Hours. (17 Guided Learning Hours and 11 hours of Private Study)

For more information and full details on the course requirements, please download the Specification below.

For more information and full details on the course requirements, please download the Specification.

Download the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®

The WSET Level 2 course at Napa Valley Wine Academy is designed to be interactive and engaging, ensuring an enjoyable learning experience. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Recognize major grape varieties from around the globe and understand the diverse styles of wine they produce, including sparkling and fortified wines.
  • Interpret wine labels to deduce a wine’s quality and style.
  • Refine your tasting abilities using the WSET’s Level 2 Systematic Approach to Wine Tasting (SAT), aligned with our experienced NVWA instructors.

Choosing the right place to pursue WSET certification can be challenging, but with over a decade of educational expertise, Napa Valley Wine Academy understands exactly what students need to excel on the exam. Our course includes interactive content, group activities, practice tests, and dedicated instructor support. We also provide an online pre-study module accessible immediately upon enrollment, requiring a minimum of four hours of study to optimally prepare you for the in-class exam. Notably, our students consistently achieve some of the highest WSET exam scores worldwide.

During the WSET Level 2 course, you’ll delve into the principal grape varieties and the significant wine styles they produce. You'll explore the important wine regions that shape the world’s wine landscape through a structured and engaging approach. The curriculum covers wine production processes, essential labeling terms, tasting techniques, and classification systems, equipping you with the skills to confidently assess and discuss wine.

Successfully completing the course and passing the final exam, which consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, will earn you the WSET Level 2 Award Certificate in Wine. This certification provides:

  • Comprehensive wine knowledge beneficial for careers in sales, hospitality, and other commercial sectors of the industry.
  • WSET-guided wine tastings.
  • Mastery of a systematic tasting approach that enables you to evaluate a wine's quality and price accurately.
  • Formal Level 2 Award in Wine Certification from the WSET.

Embark on your wine education journey with us at Napa Valley Wine Academy and gain a respected qualification that can open doors in the wine industry.

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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:

Star and Guy drinking wine
  • 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