WSET Level 1 Award in Wines Online at Napa Valley Wine Academy

The WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, brought to you online by Napa Valley Wine Academy, America's top wine school, is an excellent introduction from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) based in London. This entry-level course is tailor-made for anyone new to the wine industry or those with a passion for wine looking to expand their knowledge systematically.

As the leading WSET provider in the U.S., Napa Valley Wine Academy offers an engaging online program that covers the essentials of wine tasting and the characteristics of major wine styles. This course utilizes the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting® (SAT) and includes the fundamentals of major grape varieties and important wine regions. You’ll have the opportunity to explore a variety of wines through our curated 6-bottle (100 ml each) tasting kit, available for an additional $100, which complements the course webinars.

This online certification program is ideal for those starting their journey in wine education, whether for personal enjoyment or as a foundation for a professional career. It’s especially suitable for individuals beginning roles in hospitality, retail, or service industries.

What You Will Achieve

• Gain Basic Skills: Acquire the ability to describe wines accurately and develop a systematic approach to wine tasting.
• Understand Wine Types: Learn to identify different styles of wine through sensory evaluation.
• Master Food and Wine Pairing: Understand the fundamental principles that guide successful food and wine pairings.

Pass the Exam and Display Your Credentials Instantly! As soon as you pass, 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!

Our online course is designed to be hands-on and fun. Through live webinars, video lectures, interactive activities, quizzes, and direct instructor support, you’ll explore wines through sight, smell, and taste while learning key principles involved in the storage and service of wine.

Choosing the right school for your WSET certification can be overwhelming, but with over a decade of experience, we’ve fine-tuned our approach to suit various learning preferences. Our unique online program combines flexibility with a comprehensive learning experience that promises to prepare you thoroughly for your exam.

Sign up today for our four-week program and take the first step toward achieving your beginner-level certification. Begin your wine education with Napa Valley Wine Academy, a repeated winner of the Wine Educator of the Year award, and experience a commitment to excellence that distinguishes you in the wine community. Join us online and be part of a global community of wine enthusiasts learning in a dynamic and supportive environment. Click here to download the WSET Level 1 Award in wines course specifications.

Learn from the Best

Imagine learning from top wine experts, including Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine, who bring not just their knowledge but also their passion for wine into every lesson. At Napa Valley Wine Academy, your education is led by these experts, who are eager to share their insights and experiences with you, helping you to not only learn but also love the journey.

Consistently High Success Rates

You want results, and our track record speaks for itself. We're proud to have one of the highest pass rates globally for WSET exams. This success comes from our commitment to providing you with the best preparation possible, ensuring you feel confident and well-equipped to excel in your exams.

Tailored Online Resources

Your learning needs are unique, which is why we offer a comprehensive suite of online tools. These resources are designed to fit your lifestyle, allowing you to study whenever and wherever it suits you best. Whether you prefer hitting the books at dawn or reviewing notes during a lunch break, we've got you covered.

Personalized Support

At Napa Valley Wine Academy, you’re not just another student. Our mentoring and coaching sessions are tailored to address your specific needs, helping you overcome any challenges and make the most of your study time. We're here to guide you every step of the way.

Get Ready Before You Arrive

Feel prepared from day one with our online pre-course study modules available to you right after enrollment. These modules help lay a solid foundation so that when you step into our classroom, you’re already on your way to becoming a wine expert.

Join Thousands of Satisfied Learners

Each year, over 6,000 students choose to start their wine education with us. Join a community of like-minded enthusiasts and professionals who are all on their journey to mastering wine. Here, you're part of a group that supports and grows together.

Recognition and Respect in the Wine World

When you study with us, you join the ranks of the most awarded and respected WSET approved program provider in the world. Your certification from Napa Valley Wine Academy is not just a piece of paper—it’s a passport to opportunities in the wine industry and a marker of excellence recognized globally.

We’re Invested in Your Satisfaction

We know that you’ll love your experience with us because our current students do! They consistently tell us how much they appreciate our engaging courses, the expertise of our instructors, and our supportive, community-focused environment. We’re dedicated to your satisfaction and committed to making your learning experience both enriching and enjoyable.

Choosing Napa Valley Wine Academy means placing yourself at the forefront of wine education. Equip yourself with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in the wine industry or enhance your personal passion for wine. We’re excited to be part of your journey and are here to support you every sip of the way.

Your Registration Fee Includes

• DEDICATED INSTRUCTOR for the 4-week portion of the course, and continuing with 12 months access to the online course material which includes lecture videos, quizzes, a mock exam and more.
• LIVE WEBINARS which include instructor-led tastings, theory review, and the ability to ask questions. (LINK TO WEBINAR SCHEDULE on help.napavalleywineacademy.com)
• TEXTBOOK for Level 1 is downloadable in the first online course module, which you can access right after registration.
• Pass the Exam and Display Your Credentials Instantly! As soon as you pass, 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!
• You may add a WINE KIT for live tasting sessions with your instructor and online homework.
• WINE KITS - Wine kits ordered >7 days before the course start date will be delivered by the course start. Wine kits ordered  <7 days of course start date will take 5-7 business days to get delivered. 
• Registration and exam fees

• An Introduction to Wines
• Understanding the Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine
• Storage and Service
• Food and Wine Pairing

Click here to download the WSET Level 1 Award in wines course specifications.

This is a four-week, semi-synchronous (combination instructor-led and self-paced) course with a fixed start/end date. However, you will have 12 months of access to the online learning material, allowing you to study wine in a way that fits your schedule.

Exam Registration
You need to register for your WSET online exam at least 30 days before your chosen exam date, and this must be done within 12 months of your course start date. To view available exam dates and register, visit: WSET Level 1 Exam Dates.

All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

PREREQUISITE: This is a beginner course and suitable for those with no previous wine knowledge. 

RECOMMENDED STUDY HOURS needed to pass the exam are 8-12. Please plan on investing 4-6 hours of study prior to the day of class for your WSET Level 1 success.

For more information and full details on the course requirements, please download the Specification below.

For more information and full details on the course requirements, please download the Specification.

This introductory wine certification course engages students visually, olfactorily, and gustatorily to deepen their understanding of wine. By the end of the course, you will be proficient in using a systematic approach to tasting and will recognize the main wine styles. Additionally, you’ll grasp the basic principles of food and wine pairing and will be able to make informed choices regarding your food and wine pairings. Napa Valley Wine Academy provides essential Level 1 WSET exam study tips. Tasting is a vital component of the course, featuring guided tastings of 6-8 wines selected to help calibrate your palate to the WSET Level 1 Systematic Approach to Tasting.

System Requirements: This course is taught 100% online; students will require access to a computer with the following minimum requirements: Firefox 25.0, Safari 6, Chrome 30.0, or other HTML5 compatible with Javascript and cookies enabled. Adobe Reader XI or equivalent. Internet access (broadband recommended).

Wine Kits:

Students can choose to purchase a 12-wine kit that includes key samples for learning. It is recommended that other samples be self-purchased to augment learning.

Q: What is the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines online course schedule?

• A: The course is self-paced and accessible 24/7, featuring a range of learning materials, including videos, interactive maps, activities, quizzes, and mock exams. Additionally, there are three (3) instructor-led 60-minute Zoom webinars scheduled; the dates and times are listed in the first module of your online course. If you purchased a Wine Kit, it will arrive before your First Webinar Date (not the start of the online course access). 

Q: Are the webinars essential to the WSET Level 1 course, and what if I miss a live session?

• A: While the webinars are an integral part of the course, providing orientation, lectures, and guided tasting sessions, they are not the entirety of the course. If you cannot attend a live webinar, don’t worry – all sessions are recorded and posted for later viewing.

Q: How do I communicate with instructors and fellow students during the course?

• A: Interaction with instructors and peers is facilitated through the webinars and the online GROUP, all of which take place during the four-week instructor-led portion of the course.

Q: How soon do I get access to the online course after purchase?

• A: You will receive email links to access the first module of your online course within 30 minutes of your purchase.

Q: Is there a textbook for the WSET Level 1 course, and how do I access it?

• A: Yes, there is a downloadable textbook for Level 1, which is accessible within the online course.

Q: What about wine kits for the course, and what if I don’t order one?

• A: Wine kits are shipped out the week of the course start date to ensure arrival before the first webinar. If you choose not to order a wine kit, you can find a wine list within the course to source your wines locally.

Q: How long do I have access to the online course material?

• A: After the initial 4-week instructor-led portion, students retain access to the online course materials for a full 12 months.

Q: Do you ship wine kits to every state?

A: We are NOT able to ship to the following states: AK, AR, CT, DE, HI, MS, NJ, RI, SD, UT, VT, and WV.

• Q: Do you ship wine kits Internationally?
• We are NOT able to ship wine kits internationally