WSET Wine & Spirit Education Trust

Napa Valley Wine Academy is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering every WSET qualification: the Level 1, 2 and 3 Awards in Wines, the Level 4 Diploma in Wines, and the Awards in Spirits, Beer and Sake — online, on demand, and in person in Napa and at partner venues across the US.

Not sure where to start? Read the WSET guide — what each level covers, how the exams work, and which level fits your experience — or go straight to a level: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 Diploma. Studying online? See every WSET wine course we run online.

We publish our WSET results every year. In the 2024–25 WSET academic year, 90.0% of our 3,234 Level 1–3 candidates passed on their first attempt. See the full figures by level, with candidate numbers and how we count them.

    L1On-demand
    WSET Level 1 Wine Online | On-Demand Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 1 Wine Online | On-Demand Course

    Perfect for self-motivated learners who value independence, flexibility and studying on their own schedule. This is our fully self-paced route to the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: the entire course opens within about 30 minutes of purchase and stays open for 12 months, with no cohort, no start date and no scheduled class to miss. You get instant access to video lectures, interactive activities, guided home tastings, and practice questions and assignments that grade themselves so your feedback is immediate. There are no live webinars on this course — if you would rather have an instructor in real time, our instructor-led online course is the one to buy. Please note that the exam itself is not on demand: WSET invigilates remotely at pre-scheduled times, and you have 12 months from enrollment to sit it.
    Start any time · self-paced Immediate access · learn at your own pace · no fixed schedule
    START ANYTIME
    L2On-demand
    WSET Level 2 Wine Online | On-Demand Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 2 Wine Online | On-Demand Course

    The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, on your schedule. The entire course unlocks the moment you enroll and stays yours for 12 months - no cohort, no start date, nothing to be awake for. Explore the world's great wine regions at whatever pace your life allows: video lectures, interactive activities, quizzes, and graded tasting and theory assignments that tell you instantly what you have misunderstood. Twelve classic wines carry you through the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting®, the method that changes how you drink for good. Independent, but never alone - a student discussion community and one-to-one mentoring are there when you want them. Your exam registration is included; the exam itself is taken online with remote invigilation at pre-scheduled times, within 12 months of enrolling. 95.1% of our Level 2 students pass.
    Start any time · self-paced Immediate access · learn at your own pace · no fixed schedule
    START ANYTIME
    L3Live onlineStarts in 4 days
    WSET Level 3 Wine Online | Instructor-Led Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 3 Wine Online | Instructor-Led 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.
    Next cohort Oct 7 – Dec 15, 2026 in 4 days10 weeks · live webinars · 8 more dates
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    L1Live online
    WSET Level 1 Wine Online | Instructor-Led Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 1 Wine Online | Instructor-Led Course

    A four-week instructor-led route to the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, with a dedicated WSET-certified educator, three live 60-minute webinars including guided tastings, and video lectures, activities and quizzes available 24/7. You keep 12 months of platform access from your course start date, and your online exam registration and exam fee are included in the $329. You will learn to describe wines accurately using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting, identify the main wine styles, and apply the fundamental principles of food and wine pairing. Pass the exam and you can display your credentials instantly: a digital badge and certificate to share on LinkedIn, social media, or with your professional network. Prefer no fixed schedule? Our on-demand Level 1 course is $289 with no cohort and no webinars.
    Next cohort Nov 4 – Dec 1, 2026 4 weeks · live webinars · 4 more dates
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    L2Live onlineStarts in 4 days
    WSET Level 2 Wine Online | Instructor-Led Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 2 Wine Online | Instructor-Led Course

    The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, taught live over five weeks with a real instructor and a real cohort. Four 90-minute Zoom webinars anchor the course - all recorded, so a work conflict never puts you behind - around 20-plus video lectures, interactive activities, weekly quizzes and a 50-question mock exam you can take at 6 AM or midnight. Twelve classic wines carry you through the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting®, the method that turns "I like this" into an argument you can defend. You keep the platform for 12 months from your course start date, so the material is still there long after the five weeks end. Your online exam registration and fee are included. 95.1% of our Level 2 students pass.
    Next cohort Oct 7 – Nov 10, 2026 in 4 days5 weeks · live webinars · 4 more dates
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    L3Live online
    WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits | Online Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits | Online Course

    The WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits is a globally recognized qualification from WSET, designed for serious spirits enthusiasts and professionals building a career in the industry. Napa Valley Wine Academy is one of the first US providers approved to deliver the new Issue 3 curriculum, with its reworked tasting framework emphasising texture and quality. Over nine weeks you will engage with Scotch whisky, whiskey in the USA, Cognac, Armagnac, Caribbean rum, Tequila, Mezcal, vodka, gin, Calvados, Baijiu and Genever, learning the key characteristics and labelling terms for spirits around the world and what drives their style and quality — all through the WSET Level 3 Systematic Approach to Tasting® (SAT), guided by a dedicated spirits instructor across five live webinars.
    Next cohort Jan 4 – Mar 7, 2027 9 weeks · live webinarsLast scheduled cohort — no later date yet
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    L1Live online
    WSET Level 1 Award in Beer | Online - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 1 Award in Beer | Online

    A practical introduction to beer for newcomers — no previous beer, wine or spirits knowledge required. Over four weeks and six modules on WSET Global's learning platform, plus three live 90-minute webinars with our beer educator, you will explore the main styles, learn how malt, hops, yeast and water shape flavor and aroma, and develop a systematic approach to tasting using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Beer. Your exam registration and WSET exam fee are included, and you keep access to the material for 12 months. Beer for tasting is sourced by you — WSET does not require candidates to taste alcohol in order to qualify. Pass and you receive a digital badge and certificate to share on LinkedIn, social media, or with your professional network.
    Next cohort Oct 26 – Nov 22, 2026 4 weeks · live webinarsLast scheduled cohort — no later date yet
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    L2Live online
    WSET Level 2 Award in Beer | Online Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 2 Award in Beer | Online Course

    The WSET Level 2 Award in Beer, taught over five weeks with a real instructor and a real cohort. The six-module course content runs on WSET Global's own learning portal; Napa Valley Wine Academy adds four live 60-minute Zoom webinars covering theory and guided tasting, a dedicated instructor for the full five weeks, and group discussion through our own portal. You start at the ingredients - malt, hops, yeast and water - move through brewing and fermentation, then work the world's key styles by what drives them: malt, hops, yeast and mixed fermentation, from Belgium and Germany to the UK and the US. Storage, service and off-flavours are covered too, and throughout you build your palate on the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Beer®. Taught by a WSET Certified Beer Instructor and Advanced Cicerone. Your online exam registration and fee are included; tasting beers are not.
    Next cohort Nov 2 – Dec 6, 2026 5 weeks · live webinarsLast scheduled cohort — no later date yet
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    L1Live online
    WSET Level 1 Award in Sake | Online Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 1 Award in Sake | Online Course

    An introduction to sake for those starting a career in the drinks trade or pursuing a personal interest — no previous sake, wine or beer knowledge required. Over four weeks on WSET Global's own learning portal you will explore the main styles and types of sake, learn how rice, water, yeast and brewing choices shape flavor and aroma, and learn to read a sake label and know exactly what it is telling you. Your exam registration and WSET exam fee are included, and you keep access to the course for 12 months. Sake for tasting is sourced by you — WSET does not require candidates to taste alcohol in order to qualify. Pass and you receive a digital badge and certificate to share on LinkedIn, social media, or with your professional network.
    Next cohort Oct 19 – Nov 15, 2026 in 16 days4 weeks · live webinars · 1 more date
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    L1In personStarts in 14 days
    WSET Level 1 Award In Wines | In-Person - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 1 Award In Wines | In-Person

    Our WSET Level 1 Award in Wines 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 wine through sight, smell, and taste, and learn the fundamental principles involved in the storage and service of wine. Pass the exam and you can display your credentials instantly: you'll receive a digital badge and certificate to celebrate your accomplishment, and you can share it on LinkedIn, social media, or with your professional network.
    Next date Napa, CA · Oct 17, 2026 in 14 days24 dates · Napa, Nashville, Tampa1 later date already sold out
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    L2In person
    WSET Level 2 Award in Wine | In-Person - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    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). Once you pass the exam you can display your credentials instantly! 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!
    Next date Napa, CA · Oct 24–25, 2026 in 21 days2 days · 20 dates · Napa, Nashville, Tampa
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    L2In person
    WSET Level 2 Award in Wines | Bootcamp - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 2 Award in Wines | Bootcamp

    The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, taught as a four-day immersion in Napa Valley. Your classroom time at Napa Valley Wine Academy is augmented with vineyard, winery and cooperage visits, so you gain a working understanding of grape growing and winemaking rather than a theoretical one. Your instructors are top educators in the industry, involved in winemaking, sommelier services and other segments of the wine trade. You will taste more than 60 wines across the four days, including a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and specialty pourings at the wineries. A gourmet lunch every day and a winemaker dinner are included; lodging and travel are not. Please note that the WSET Level 2 exam is taken online with remote invigilation within 12 months of your bootcamp, not in the classroom on the final day.
    Next date Napa, CA · Apr 15–18, 2027 4 daysOnly one date currently scheduled
    ENROLL NOW
    L2L3BundleStarts in 4 days
    WSET Level 2 & Level 3 Wine Path Bundle - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 2 & Level 3 Wine Path Bundle

    Next cohort Oct 7 – Dec 15, 2026 in 4 days10 weeks · two courses, one enrollment · 5 more dates
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    L3In person
    WSET Level 3 Award in Wines | In-Person - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    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.
    Next date Napa, CA · Nov 17–22, 2026 6 days · 6 dates · Napa
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    L3Napa
    WSET Level 3 Wine Spring and Harvest Boot Camp | Napa, California - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 3 Wine Harvest Bootcamp | Napa, California

    Earn the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with your hands in a Napa Valley harvest. Ten weeks of online study with a dedicated instructor prepare you before you travel, then five consecutive days in Napa: two days of structural tasting and theory workshops, two days working in estate vineyards and production cellars alongside winemakers and growers, and the official WSET Level 3 examination on day five. Exam registration and fee are included. PLEASE NOTE that the in-person portion runs over 5 consecutive days with the exam held on day 5 - book travel to arrive the evening before day one and depart no earlier than the evening of day five.
    Departs Oct 6–10, 2027 5 days · Napa, CA · led by NVWA faculty
    per person
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    DiplomaLive online
    WSET Level 4 Diploma | D1 Wine Production - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 4 Diploma | D1 Wine Production

    Begin your WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wine with D1 – Wine Production, and unlock how grapes are grown and 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.
    Next cohort Jan 4 – Feb 25, 2027 7 weeks · live webinars · 2 more dates
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    DiplomaLive online
    WSET Level 4 Diploma | D2 Wine Business - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    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 completed the D1 course to start D2 (sitting the D1 exam or receiving its result is not required).
    Next cohort Jan 4 – Feb 25, 2027 7 weeks · live webinars · 3 more dates
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    DiplomaLive online
    WSET Level 4 Diploma | D3 Wines of the World - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    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 be enrolled in the WSET Level 4 Diploma and have completed the D1 and D2 courses (exam results not required).
    Next cohort Oct 26, 2026 – Apr 24, 2027 25 weeks · live webinars · 2 more dates
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    DiplomaLive online
    WSET Level 4 Diploma | D4 Sparkling Wine - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    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 be enrolled in the WSET Level 4 Diploma program and have taken the D1 and D2 exams (receipt of results not required).
    Next cohort Nov 2 – Dec 17, 2026 6 weeks · live webinars · 4 more dates
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    DiplomaLive online
    WSET Level 4 Diploma | D5 Fortified Wine - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 4 Diploma | D5 Fortified Wine

    In the D5 unit of the WSET Level 4 Diploma program students explore fortified wines of the world, including Sherry, Port, Madeira, Vins Doux Naturels and Rutherglen Muscat, through theoretical and practical study. Prerequisites: You must be enrolled in the WSET Level 4 Diploma program and have taken the D1 and D2 exams (receipt of results not required).
    Next cohort Nov 2 – Dec 16, 2026 6 weeks · live webinars · 4 more dates
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    DiplomaIndependent
    WSET Level 4 Diploma | D6 Independent Research Assignment - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    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 "Virginia Wine" (due January 31, 2025) or "PIWI Grape Varieties (due July 31, 2025). 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.
    Submission deadline Jan 31, 2027 Independent research · work to your own schedule until the deadline
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    L1On-demand
    WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits Online | On-Demand Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits Online | On-Demand Course

    The WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits, fully self-paced. The whole course opens within about 30 minutes of purchase and stays open for 12 months, with no cohort, no start date and no scheduled class. You learn the basic principles of spirit production, the main types and styles, what drives flavor, how to serve spirits and the basics of cocktail construction, describing them with the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits. Your exam registration and WSET exam fee are included. There are no live webinars on this course, and on-demand purchases are final. WSET does not require candidates to taste alcohol, so you do not need a shelf full of bottles to qualify.
    Start any time · self-paced Immediate access · learn at your own pace · no fixed schedule
    START ANYTIME
    L2On-demand
    WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits Online | On-Demand Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits Online | On-Demand Course

    The WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits, entirely on your schedule. The whole course unlocks the moment you enroll and stays yours for 12 months - no cohort, no start date, no live webinars to be awake for. Start at the still: how pot and column distillation shape purity and flavour, then the world category by category - Scotch, bourbon, Canadian and Japanese whisky, rum, Tequila and Mezcal, vodka, gin, Cognac and brandy, liqueurs and flavoured spirits. You will read a label for what it legally means, deconstruct the classic cocktail families, and train your palate on the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits®. Written and recorded by our head spirits educator, a WSET Diploma holder and Master of Baijiu. Your online exam registration and fee are included; tasting samples are not.
    Start any time · self-paced Immediate access · learn at your own pace · no fixed schedule
    START ANYTIME
    L2Live online
    WSET Level 2 Award in Sake | Online Course - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 2 Award in Sake | Online Course

    The WSET Level 2 Award in Sake, taught over five weeks on WSET Global's own sake learning platform. There are no live webinars - you work through the course whenever suits you inside the cohort window, and a WSET educator reads and responds to the tasting notes you submit, which is what actually calibrates a palate. You start at the ingredients - the rice varieties grown for sake, koji, water and yeast - then work through polishing ratios, fermentation, dilution and packaging, and how each choice creates a style. You learn to read a Japanese label rather than rely on an importer's translation, and you train on the WSET Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Sake®. The printed textbook is included and mailed on registration, you keep the online material for 12 months, and your online exam registration and fee are covered. Tasting sakes are not included.
    Next cohort Jan 11 – Feb 14, 2027 5 weeks · live webinars1 later date already sold out
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    L3Napa
    WSET Level 3 Wine Harvest Bootcamp | Napa, California 2026 - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 3 Wine Harvest Bootcamp | Napa, California 2026

    Earn the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with your hands in a Napa Valley harvest. Ten weeks of online study with a dedicated instructor prepare you before you travel, then five consecutive days in Napa: two days of structural tasting and theory workshops, two days working in estate vineyards and production cellars alongside winemakers and growers, and the official WSET Level 3 examination on day five. Exam registration and fee are included. PLEASE NOTE that the in-person portion runs over 5 consecutive days with the exam held on day 5 - book travel to arrive the evening before day one and depart no earlier than the evening of day five.
    Sold out — join the waitlist We’ll email you the moment a place opens or a new date is set.
    per person
    Sale
    L1L2Bundle
    WSET Level 1 & 2 On - Demand Bundle - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 1 & 2 On-Demand Bundle

    Both WSET Level 1 and Level 2 Award in Wines, fully self-paced, for one student — $799 instead of $884 bought separately, a saving of $85. Both courses open within about 30 minutes of purchase and stay open for 12 months, with no cohort, no start date and no scheduled class. Registration and the WSET exam fee for both examinations are included. Level 1 builds the tasting method and the vocabulary; Level 2 adds the grape varieties, regions and production choices behind the style, and is the qualification the wine trade most commonly asks for. There are no live webinars on either course, and on-demand purchases are final.
    Start any time · self-paced Immediate access · learn at your own pace · two courses, one enrollment
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    L3Prep kit
    WSET Level 3 Wine Early Access - Napa Valley Wine Academy

    WSET Level 3 Wine Early Access

    Prepare for WSET Level 3 at your own pace with NVWA's Early Access Prep Kit. Includes the textbook (eBook or hardcopy), 350 instructional videos, digital flashcards, and $75 off your future Level 3 course enrollment.
    Instant access Yours as soon as you enroll · no fixed schedule
    START ANYTIME

    FAQs

    What is WSET certification and why is it important?

    Discover the world of wine education withWSET certificationcourses at Napa Valley Wine Academy. As an approved provider of WSET programs, we offer a range of courses catering to all levels of expertise, from introductory to advanced. Whether you’re pursuing a career in the wine industry or simply expanding your knowledge, our WSET certification courses provide a structured and comprehensive approach to wine education.

    How do I determine which WSET level is right for me?

    Navigating theWSET levelscan be daunting, but at Napa Valley Wine Academy, we’re here to help you find the perfect fit. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned professional, our range of WSET courses caters to all levels of expertise. From the foundational knowledge of WSET Level 1 to the advanced exploration of WSET Level 4 Diploma, each course offers a unique learning experience tailored to your goals and aspirations in the world of wine.

    What are the main differences between WSET Wine Level 2 and Level 3 courses?

    Curious about the distinctions between WSET Level 2 and Level 3 courses? At Napa Valley Wine Academy, we offer both levels to accommodate varying levels of expertise. WSET Level 2 focuses on core wine knowledge, while Level 3 delves deeper into regions, grape varieties, and production methods. WSET 3 also introduces the Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine, refining sensory evaluation skills for a more comprehensive understanding of wines.

    What are the benefits of achieving Napa Valley Wine Academy WSET 4 certification?

    Elevate your wine expertise with Napa Valley Wine Academy’s WSET Level 4 certification. This prestigious qualification is recognized worldwide as the pinnacle of wine education, offering unparalleled benefits for aspiring professionals. From in-depth knowledge of wine production to advanced tasting skills, WSET Level 4 certification opens doors to prestigious career opportunities in the wine industry and enhances your credibility as a wine expert.