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.
Professional Wine Educator™ 2024 Graduates!
Kassandra BransonVentura, CACertified Professional Wine Educator™
After enjoying studying with the Napa Valley Wine Academy for her WSET Diploma in Wine, Kassie decided to continue to pursue her love of learning by joining the inaugural class of the NVWA PWE program. She currently works as the North America Administrator for the Institute of Masters of Wine, a position that gives her the perfect opportunity to combine her wine education with her extensive background in administration. When not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and elderly dog, Blue and has an affinity for Cru Beaujolais and Pinot Noir from the Anderson Valley.
Ray GarciaMiami, FLCertified Professional Wine Educator™
Ramon “Ray” Garcia went from restauranter to wine trade consultant for numerous restaurants, private cellars and wineries. Currently, Ray is employed as the in-house educator for Wineanatomy’s www.winedirectordirect.com wine director program which allows establishments that are involved in the wine and spirits trade to hire the services of an in-house wine director. As a wine director, knowledge is paramount, so Ray felt compelled to learn all he could regarding wine, spirits, sake, cigars and the beverage trade as a whole.
Lisa StavropoulosPengrove, CACertified Professional Wine Educator™
MBA, WSET Level 3, Professional Wine Educator.
Lisa’s professional background has always been focused on marketing and strategy.Over 20 years ago, she decided to finally give in to her passion and apply that same experience and set of skills to the wine industry. In 2010, the wines of Greece started calling her name as they reminded her of where Argentina was a couple decades prior. While sipping wines throughout the country’s ancient wine regions, intrigue turned into a life-long commitment. Lisa knew it was time to share these incredible experiences with all wine loving, foodie, and travel buffs..So, Greek Grape Wine Tours was born and is thriving!
Nate MendelsonRiverhead, New YorkCertified Professional Wine Educator™
Nate Mendelson is a Professional Wine Educator and WSET Level III certificate holder based on Long Island, New York. A former journalist, Nate combines his passion for storytelling with his love of wine to tell the tales of the world's greatest agricultural product. At 26, Nate hopes to help champion the next 50 years of the North Fork of Long Island AVA that he calls home. Currently, he runs a retail store, Vintage Mattituck Wine & Spirits, along with his own private tasting business, Mendelson Wines. He can be found on Instagram @NateMendelson or @MendelsonWines.
Spencer SwartzFairfield, CACertified Professional Wine Educator™
As a senior communications adviser and strategist for multiple Fortune 500 companies over the years, Spencer taps into his broad communications background as a bridge for delivering wine instruction grounded in simplifying technical concepts into relatable, practical information. Spencer holds the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits and an Advanced Certification from the International Sommelier Guild.His approachable teaching style aims to empower students to broaden and deepen their understanding and palate, and increase their wine-buying confidence.
Suzanne BonhamRaleigh, NCCertified Professional Wine Educator™
A passionate wine educator with the WSET Diploma in Wine, Suzanne offers a deep understanding of wine regions, varietals, winemaking techniques, and food pairings. Drawing on this expertise, she delivers clear, engaging wine education that makes complex concepts accessible and enjoyable for learners of all levels. Whether leading tastings, workshops, or private lessons, Suzanne fosters a welcoming, inclusive environment where students feel confident exploring and discovering their personal tastes. With a focus on both the art and science of wine, she shares the rich history, culture, and craftsmanship behind each bottle, inspiring students to develop a deeper appreciation for wine.
Jessica LaversinPark City, UTCertified Professional Wine Educator™
Jessica is based in the mountain town of Park City, Utah, where she founded a wine cellar consultant business and has worked in wine education. While living in Spain, Jessica was inspired to begin her formal wine studies after attending the 2018 Masters of Wine Symposium in La Rioja, and in 2024, she achieved the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines with Napa Valley Wine Academy. Jessica is a partner in a boutique winery in the beautiful Priorat region of Spain, and served as a wine competition judge for the Utah Wine Festival. She enjoys sharing her wine knowledge with others, and is very pleased to have attained NVWA’s PWE certification as part of the inaugural cohort.
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 our next cohort - Aug 26 - Nov 7, 2025
PWE TUITION - $4,499
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.
Join our next cohort - Aug 26 - Nov 7, 2025