WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits | Online Course

WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits Online at Napa Valley Wine Academy

The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits, delivered online by Napa Valley Wine Academy, America's leading spirits school, is a prestigious Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) qualification. This course is expertly designed for both budding spirits enthusiasts and those aiming to advance their professional careers in the spirits industry, providing a thorough exploration of global spirit styles and production methods.

As the top WSET provider in the U.S., Napa Valley Wine Academy offers a rich online program that dives deep into the systematic approach to spirits tasting and the detailed study of key spirit categories. You'll be able to explore the spirits of different regions through our structured WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting® (SAT). The course includes the option to add a tasting kit of specially curated by our experts to enhance your learning during the course webinars.

Our renowned instructors bring a blend of academic rigor and practical expertise to the online classroom. The curriculum broadens your understanding of major spirit categories, styles, and production techniques, and it goes further to detail labeling laws and quality indicators, significantly boosting your spirits knowledge and tasting skills.

What You Will Learn and Experience:

• Deepen Your Spirits Knowledge: Gain an in-depth understanding of the principal spirit categories and the various styles they produce, including whiskies, rums, vodkas, and gins.
• Enhance Your Tasting Skills: Calibrate your palate with our NVWA instructors using the WSET’s Level 2 Systematic Approach to Spirits Tasting (SAT).
• Understand Labels and Spirits Quality: Become proficient in decoding spirit labels to assess a spirit's quality and style.

This online course is designed to be engaging and interactive, perfect for hands-on learning. You'll enjoy a dynamic mix of live webinars, video lectures, interactive activities, and quizzes. A mock exam and continuous instructor support will ensure you are well-prepared for the certification exam.

Sign up now and embark on this five-week online WSET Level 2 program with Napa Valley Wine Academy, a repeated winner of the Wine Educator of the Year award. Our commitment to excellence in spirits education sets you apart in the spirits community, ready to discuss spirits confidently and make informed decisions, whether in the industry or for personal enrichment.

Start your advanced spirits education journey with us and gain everything you need to achieve this intermediate-level certification. Join the ranks of satisfied students who have successfully expanded their spirits expertise through our comprehensive online offerings.

Download the Course Specification

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

• Registration and exam fees
• 4 (Four) LIVE webinars and instructor support
• 20+ recorded video lectures with interactive activities
• At the end of each week, a quiz with mock exam questions is provided for students to practice for the exam and assess their understanding of that week's topics.
• Tasting activities will help familiarize students with the systematic approach to Tasting at the intermediate level.
• 50-question mock exam to prepare you for the actual exam.
• 12 months of access to online learning material
• Registration and 1 (One)  exam credit
• TEXTBOOK/STUDY PACK are shipped to students in the United States within five days of registration. For international students, an ebook version is made available. 
• SPIRITS LIST

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!

• Systematic Tasting Technique: Develop your sensory skills through the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits® (SAT), learning to evaluate spirits accurately.
• Spirits Service and Storage: Understand the best practices for serving and storing various spirits to maintain quality and integrity.
• Factors Influencing Style, Quality, and Price: Explore how the distillation process, aging, ingredient selection, and producer decisions impact the style, quality, and price of spirits.
• Label Terminology: Learn to decode spirit labels to understand contents and quality, including terms related to distillation and aging.
• Whiskies from Around the World: Examine the differences in style and production of whiskies from regions like Scotland, the US (Bourbon and Tennessee), Canada, and Japan.
• Rum, Vodka, and Gin: Understand the key differences in production and styles of these popular spirits from various global regions.
• Tequila and Mezcal: Dive into the unique production techniques and regional variations that define these agave-based spirits from Mexico.
• Brandy and Cognac: Explore the world of grape spirits, including the specific styles and quality designations of Cognac and other brandies.
• Liqueurs and Flavored Spirits: Discover how herbs, fruits, and other flavorings are integrated into spirits to create complex liqueurs.

This is a five-week, semi-synchronous (combination instructor-led and self-paced) course with a fixed start/end date. However, you will have 12 months of access to the online learning material, allowing you to study wine in a way that fits your schedule.

Online Exam:

You must register for the online exam within 12 months of the course date, at least 30 days before the exam date via your online course. WSET Level 2 in Spirits online exam dates (subject to changes):

2025-10-11
2025-12-10
2026-03-04
2026-06-20
2026-07-29
2026-12-09

• All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.
• PREREQUISITE: This is an intermediate course and suitable for students with basic knowledge in spirits. Students with no previous knowledge should consider either our Spirits 101 course or the WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits.
• 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 complete details on the course requirements, please download the Specification.

System Requirements: 

This course is taught 100% online; students will require access to a computer with the following minimum requirements: Firefox 25.0, Safari 6, Chrome 30.0, or other HTML5 compatible with Javascript and cookies enabled. Adobe Reader XI or equivalent. Internet access (broadband recommended).

The full list of WSET-recommended tasting samples are listed in the Specification document which is included in your online course materials.

Online Exam Requirements:

Primary Device: All online invigilated exams must be sat on either a laptop or desktop computer. Your chosen device must have a working webcam, microphone and speakers, and conform to the below minimum specifications.

Secondary Device: For most online invigilated exams you will also require a mobile phone to be used as a secondary camera. Click here to see the full details of the online exam requirements.

Check out this website and video to learn "How to take the Online Exam?"

Q: What is the structure of the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits online course? A: The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits online course is a self-paced program accessible 24/7. It includes videos, interactive activities, quizzes, and mock exams to enhance your learning experience. Additionally, the course features four (4) instructor-led 60-minute Zoom webinars, the dates for which can be found under the Webinar tab in the first module of your online course. If you purchased a Spirits Kit, it will arrive before your First Webinar Date.

Q: Are the live webinars an essential part of the course? A: Yes, the webinars are integral to the online course and complement the textbooks. They include an orientation, lectures, and guided tasting sessions, and you can ask questions of your instructor. While they are not the full course in themselves, they are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum. If you cannot attend the live sessions, all webinars are recorded and posted for later viewing.

Q: How can I communicate with the instructor and other students? A: Interaction with the instructor and fellow students is facilitated through the Zoom Webinars and the Online GROUP Module. This interactive aspect is available during the five-week instructor-led portion of the course, enabling you to engage actively in your learning process.

Q: How long do I have access to the online course material? A: After the instructor-led 5 weeks, you retain access to the online course for the remainder of the 12-month period. This extended access allows you to revisit and review the material at your own pace.

Q: When will I receive access to the online course after purchase? A: You will receive email links to access the online course within 30 minutes of your purchase, ensuring a quick and seamless start to your learning journey.

Q: How and when will I receive the course textbooks and workbook? A: Students located in the U.S. will receive the textbook and workbook within 5 days of purchase, ensuring you have the physical materials promptly. International students are provided with an online eBook version, making it accessible regardless of location.