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.
We don’t want you to just teach, we want you to be known as one of the best educators in the industry.
Professional Wine Educator™ January 2025 Graduates!
Miranda HusethLos Angeles, CACertified Professional Wine Educator™
Miranda is a WSET level 3 certified, Professional Wine Educator certified with the Napa Valley Wine Academy, Champagne Specialist certified with the Comite Champagne, and dipWSET candidate. After growing up in a rural North Dakotan community filled 110% with beer drinkers, Miranda’s journey into wine began in the Loire Valley with her first-ever wine tasting, where Domaine Huet patiently explained each aspect of the winemaking process from vineyard to glass. From that day forward, Miranda was hooked, and starting in 2024 she became a full-time wine professional. Today she lives at the intersection between wine tasting, culture, science, geography, and agriculture and loves sharing her perspectives with the world in a manner that a budding wine scholar can comprehend and that ignites a spark even in the casual wine drinker.
Caryn SchulbergSonoma, CACertified Professional Wine Educator™
A native of Northern California's wine country, Caryn Schulberg brings extensive expertise to her role as a Certified Wine Educator with the Napa Valley Wine Academy. With comprehensive credentials including WSET III, Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), Certified Specialist of Sherry Wines, and currently a WSET Level 4 Diploma candidate, Caryn's industry knowledge runs deep. As a former Senior Sales Account Manager for Benchmark Wine Group, the leading source of fine and rare wine for retailers, restaurants, and collectors worldwide, she advised buyers globally on the most sought-after wines, from private individuals to professional contacts. Her experience creating digital content for wine-related enterprises as a content and creative communications manager further enriches her educational approach. Drawing on her Master's degree and background in Counseling Psychology, Caryn excels at making complex wine concepts approachable for participants of all knowledge levels. She guides
students through the complexities of varietals, regions, and winemaking
techniques by providing clear, knowledgeable instruction.
Darbi InvergoLodi, CACertified Professional Wine Educator™
Darbi is a dedicated lifelong learner with a passion for teaching complex subjects in an accessible manner. She established the A Grape Education wine blog and began delivering formal wine lectures in 2021, aiming to make wine more approachable for everyday drinkers. In addition to her lectures, she conducts monthly in-depth tastings for serious wine enthusiasts and professionals.
Darbi holds certifications with the highest honors as an Italian, French, and Spanish Wine Scholar, and she is currently pursuing her credentials to become an Etna and Valpolicella Ambassador, as well as a Bordeaux Master. Furthermore, she is a certified Champagne Specialist and has achieved her WSET Level 3 qualification with distinction.
Kelsey DanielsBend, ORCertified Professional Wine Educator™
After 18 years in the high-pressure world of film and television as a Producer and Production Manager, Kelsey traded sets for sips in a bold career shift to follow her passion for wine. What began as a love for wine & wine travel quickly grew into a deep commitment to wine education. She started at a small, family-owned wine shop, washing dishes and plating cheese boards, while earning her WSET Level 2 certification and was instantly hooked.
She went on to become a Certified Sommelier and Certified Specialist of Wine in 2019, completed WSET Level 3 and the Oregon Wine Expert program in 2021, and recently added Professional Wine Educator certification to her credentials.
That same year, she and her husband- Flights’ co-owner and a helicopter pilot (hence the name) - opened Flights Wine Bar in Bend, Oregon. By 2024, Flights was named Best Wine Bar in Central Oregon.
Robin FarinaNevada City, CACertified Professional Wine Educator™
Robin has had a long run in professional sports, competing at the highest level in Women’s Cycling. Towards the end of her career, she wanted to broaden her scope by learning about wine, food, and travel. Over the last 10 years, she has focused on learning different facets of the wine industry through her studies in the WSET program, where she holds a Level 4 D2 certificate and successfully earned her Professional Wine Educators Certificate. She has sold wine for importers/distributors and works for vinSUITE in sales. She also loves her community and is heavily involved.
In her spare time, Robin loves being outside riding bikes, playing Pickleball, being active, and spending time with her partner, Kurt, and her GSP Lucy. She lives in Nevada City, CA, but is originally from Nashville, TN, where she still has family roots.
Anna GsangerMemphis, TNCertified Professional Wine Educator™
Anna Gsanger is a Memphis-based wine educator, writer, and has been awarded WSET Level 3. She has a passion for exploring the cultures and regions behind each bottle. A Minnesota native with degrees from Penn and Wharton, she’s lived in Germany and across the U.S., visiting nearly 50 countries along the way. Through tastings, curated buying experiences, and storytelling, Anna connects people to wine in a way that’s adventurous, personal, and always a little fun. Follow along @SommethingFun.
Ellen LainezNorth York, ONCertified Professional Wine Educator™
Ellen Lainez is the founder and director of the Wine Consul, a platform for education, events, and consulting based in Toronto, Canada. She also teaches and trains hospitality staff and candidates in all aspects of beverage service within hotels, bars, and restaurants, both locally and internationally. Recently, Ellen launched a wine school in her home country of El Salvador, offering immersive courses she has developed for her Latin American students and customers.
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 - Feb 10 - Apr 24, 2026
PWE TUITION - $4,499
Once accepted to the program, you can secure your seat with a $999 Deposit!
Apply Now!
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 - Feb 10 - Apr 24, 2026