Professional Wine Educator Academy™

Become a Professional Wine Educator™

Become a Respected Wine Educator!

“The Professional Wine Educator Academy™ is a breakthrough in wine education. As co-founder and VP of Education at NVWA, I'm proud to launch a program that elevates careers to top industry levels. It’s more than learning— It's skill-building for long-term success.”

Catherine Bugue,
Co-founder and VP of Education, NVWA

Transform Your Passion into a Profession!

At the Napa Valley Wine Academy, we do more than teach — we inspire change and foster excellence. The Professional Wine Educator Academy™ is your gateway to becoming a leader in the wine industry.

This prestigious program is meticulously designed to enhance your knowledge, boost your confidence, and elevate your professional stature in the world of wine education.

A Story of Innovation and Excellence!

Why We Created This Course
At Napa Valley Wine Academy (NVWA), we’ve always believed that wine education is
about more than just imparting knowledge; it’s about inspiring passion, engaging
minds, and cultivating a deep appreciation for the art and science of wine. Over the
past 13 years, we've built the leading wine school in the U.S., earning recognition as
the most awarded WSET provider in the world. Our dedication and excellence have
been acknowledged with numerous accolades, including being the only institution to
win the prestigious Riedel Global Wine Educator of the Year Award twice.

Recognizing the Need
We noticed a significant gap in the wine education landscape as we grew and evolved.
While many programs focused on the technical aspects of wine, few, if any, addressed
the crucial skills needed to be a world-class wine educator. We saw a real need for
helping wine professionals learn how to engage audiences effectively, communicate
complex concepts clearly, and inspire students of all backgrounds and experience
levels.

The start of the Professional Wine Educator Academy™
Driven by this insight, we created the Professional Wine Educator Academy™. This
program culminates over a decade of experience in teaching, mentoring, and building
an award-winning educational institution. Our goal was to design a course that goes
beyond wine knowledge, focusing on the art of teaching and the skills necessary to
become a transformative educator.

Unique Focus
What sets our program apart is its unique focus on pedagogical skills tailored
specifically for wine education. No other institution seemed to offer training that truly
equipped wine professionals with the full suite of skills necessary to educate at a high
level. We wanted to fill this void and provide a comprehensive, immersive learning
experience that empowers wine professionals to excel as educators.

Our Commitment to Excellence
The NVWA Professional Wine Educator Academy™ is our response to the industry's
need for top-tier educational expertise. We have meticulously crafted this program to
cover everything from ‘how to teach tasting technique to others’’ to advanced
presentation skills to inclusive teaching practices to creating and using powerfully
effective learning tools, and much more, ensuring our graduates are not only
knowledgeable about wine but also skilled in the art of teaching it.

Join the Program!

By joining the Professional Wine Educator Academy™, you’ll benefit from the following:

Expert Instruction
Learn from award-winning wine educators, including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, our VP of Education, and industry luminaries, who bring a combined 60+ years of experience and passion to the classroom.

Comprehensive Curriculum
Gain in-depth knowledge on inspiring and engaging students using practical, innovative, and effective teaching methods.

Exclusive Community
Connect with like-minded individuals who share your dedication to wine education.

Career Advancement
Enhance your professional credentials and open new doors in the wine industry.