WSET Level 1 Award in Wines

The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines is the entry qualification in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust's four-level wine ladder. It assumes no previous wine knowledge, takes roughly 6–12 study hours depending on the format you choose, and is assessed by a single 30-question multiple-choice exam with a 70% pass mark. Napa Valley Wine Academy teaches it three ways — one day in person, four weeks instructor-led online, or fully self-paced on demand — and every format includes the WSET textbook, exam registration and the exam fee.

Compare the three WSET Level 1 formats

Current tuition for each format is shown on the course listings below.

What you'll learn

• The basic principles of wine production
• The main types and styles of wine
• The principal factors that shape a wine's flavours and aromas
• How to store and serve wine correctly
• How to describe a wine using the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting® (SAT)
• The principles of pairing food and wine

Entry requirements

• None — this is a foundation-level qualification and no previous study is assumed.
• Students must be at least 21 years of age to taste alcohol on any US course.

What's included

• The official WSET Level 1 Award in Wines study materials and textbook
• Exam registration and the exam fee
• Video lectures, interactive activities and graded knowledge checks on our online platform
• Your WSET certificate and lapel pin on passing

The exam

All three formats are assessed the same way: 30 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, taken online with remote invigilation. The pass mark is 70% — 21 of 30 correct. There is no tasting paper and no written paper at Level 1, and you do not need to travel to sit it.

Why study WSET Level 1 with Napa Valley Wine Academy

• 96.5% pass rate. In the 2024–25 academic year, 96.5% of our 1,269 Level 1 candidates passed at the first attempt. See our published WSET pass rates.
• More than 4,000 graduates. You will join a community of over 4,000 students who have completed WSET Level 1 with us.
• One of the largest and most awarded WSET Approved Programme Providers in the United States, and winner of the Riedel Trophy for the WSET Educator of the Year in 2016 and 2019.
• A wide choice of dates and locations, so you can find a class that fits your schedule.
• Group savings: 5% off for two students, 8% for three, 10% for four or more.

WSET Level 1 in spirits, beer and sake

WSET runs a separate Level 1 qualification for each drinks category, and we teach all of them online. Explore the WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits, the WSET Level 1 Award in Beer or the WSET Level 1 Award in Sake.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know anything about wine before I start?

No. WSET Level 1 is designed as a foundation-level qualification and assumes no previous study. You only need to be at least 21 years of age.

How long does WSET Level 1 take?

Between 6 and 12 study hours depending on the format. The in-person course is 4–6 hours of online prep plus one day in class; the instructor-led online course runs over four weeks at roughly three hours a week; the on-demand course takes 8–12 hours whenever you choose to do them.

Is there a tasting exam?

No. The Level 1 exam is 30 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes. Tasting is taught and practised during the course, but it is not examined until WSET Level 2 and above.

Do I have to travel to sit the exam?

No. The exam is taken online with remote invigilation, so you can sit it from home even if you took the course in person.

Which format should I choose?

Choose in person if tasting wines alongside an instructor and a group matters most to you. Choose instructor-led online if you want live teaching and a set timetable without travelling. Choose on-demand if your schedule is unpredictable and you want to start immediately.

Is a wine tasting kit included?

On the in-person course, the 8 wines are poured for you in class. On both online courses the 6 required wines are not included in the fee. You can source them yourself from the list we provide, or buy the WSET Level 1 Award in Wine Tasting Kit ($70) from Small Lot Bottles, our tasting-sample partner. Kits are ordered, fulfilled and shipped by Small Lot Bottles, not by Napa Valley Wine Academy.

What comes after Level 1?

Most students progress to the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, which goes deeper into grape varieties, wine regions and the SAT.