GENERAL POLICIES

UPDATED: 02/2024

Students agree to these terms and conditions upon checkout.

MEMBERSHIP SITE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

If you cancel your annual membership within 48 hours of signing up, you may qualify for a full refund minus a $20 service fee. Cancellations after this period won’t be refunded. Upon cancellation, we’ll stop all future subscription charges. Notify us anytime to cancel; it takes effect at the current billing period’s end without a refund for the unused term. Your access and benefits will last until this period concludes.

ONLINE COURSE & WORKSHOP REFUNDS & TRANSFERS

Online course and workshop cancellations are permitted up to 14 business days before the start date, with a refund issued minus a $50 admin fee, study materials, exam fees, and wine kit costs. Separate WSET certification exam cancellation/transfer rules and fees apply.
Enrollments can be transferred to another course or student until 14 business days before the start, subject to a $50 admin fee and costs for additional materials and fees. Transfers are not allowed into the next academic year starting January 1.
Cancellations made less than 14 days before or after the course starts are not refundable. Course transfers are possible for 50% of the tuition. Wine kits sold separately.
For WSET certification course extensions beyond 12 months, re-enrollment in a new course with a new exam credit is required, excluding wine kits, at 50% of the original fee. No extensions are offered, and exam fees included in tuition expire after 12 months; new exams can be purchased separately.

IN-PERSON COURSE & WORKSHOP REFUNDS & TRANSFERS

In-person course and workshop cancellations are accepted up to 60 days before the start date, subject to a $50 admin fee plus costs for study materials and exam fees. The rest of the course fee will be refunded. WSET exam cancellation/transfer rules are separate.
Transfers to a different course can be made 60 days before the start of the course, with a $50 admin fee. Transfers to the next academic year, starting January 1, are not allowed.
Cancellations made less than 60 days before the start date or no-shows are non-refundable/transferable, except with medical documentation, which allows transfer to a later course without a refund.
Students are advised to buy separate travel insurance.

Students are highly encouraged to purchase separate travel insurance.

WSET EXAM CANCELLATIONS & TRANSFERS

Should you be unable to sit for your WSET Certificate examination on the appointed date, it is required that you give notification. If you cancel with at least 30 days’ notice prior to your exam, you are eligible to reschedule your WSET Level 1, 2, or 3 exam for a rescheduling fee of $50.
If you cancel/change the date with 30 days or less notice or your 12 months exam credit has expired, the following rescheduling fee applies:
WSET Level 1 Exam Fee: $150.00
WSET Level 2 Exam Fee: $220.00
WSET Level 3 Exam – Tasting: $110
WSET Level 3 Exam – Theory: $170
WSET Level 3 Exam – Theory + Tasting: $280

If you do not pass your exam on the first attempt you may resit your exams. Please note the following re-sit fees:

WSET Level 1 Exam Fee: $150.00
WSET Level 2 Exam Fee: $220.00
WSET Level 3 Exam Resit – Tasting: $110
WSET Level 3 Exam Resit – Theory: $170 WSET Level 3 Exam Resit – Theory + Tasting: $280

If you do not pass your exam on the first attempt you may resit your exams. Please note the following re-sit fees:

  • WSET Level 1 or 2 Exam Resit $200
  • WSET Level 3 Exam Resit – Tasting $100
  • WSET Level 3 Exam Resit – Theory $150
  • WSET Level 3 Exam Resit – Theory + Tasting $250

COURSE CANCELLATIONS

Napa Valley Wine Academy reserves the right to cancel or change a course date. Napa Valley Wine Academy will typically arrange an alternative date in these infrequent circumstances and offer students either a transfer to a new date or an alternative course if this date is not convenient. If neither option is made available by Napa Valley Wine Academy, a refund, minus the full cost of the study materials and wine kits supplied, will be offered.

Napa Valley Wine Academy strongly advises that students arrange insurance to cover unforeseen events such as illness, unfavorable weather, or cancellation of a course for which travel and accommodation costs have been incurred. 

INSTRUCTORS

In the unlikely event that the advertised instructor cannot teach the class, Napa Valley Wine Academy reserves the right to substitute the advertised instructor with another appropriate instructor.

NVWA ADMISSIONS POLICY

Admission into any of the Napa Valley Wine Academy programs/courses requires that you: be a minimum age of 21 at the time of enrollment and be able to present a valid government-issued form of identification on the first day of class attendance. If you cannot produce a valid form of identification, you will not be able to partake in the day’s course. You must be 21 years of age for any public or private event held at Napa Valley Wine Academy, with no exceptions.

NVWA ACADEMIC HONOR CODE

The Napa Valley Wine Academy places a high priority on academic integrity. By enrolling in our programs, you commit to the following principles:

  • I pledge not to engage in plagiarism, use unauthorized materials, or participate in any form of cheating on assignments, papers, or exams.
  • I will maintain fairness and honesty in assessing both my work and that of others, contributing to a truthful and vibrant wine community.

Academic dishonesty, including unauthorized assistance, use of prohibited materials, and any form of cheating or plagiarism, is strictly prohibited and will lead to severe consequences.

As a student, you are also required to keep your online classroom login details private and not share access with others. Violating this rule, or any part of our Academic Honor Code, will result in an immediate fail in the course, suspension, and forfeiture of tuition.

Special Consideration Policy

Special consideration is a measure to help students who have been at a disadvantage during an assessment due to temporary health issues, injuries, personal difficulties, or adverse conditions, enabling them to fairly demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
The policy ensures that special consideration doesn’t unfairly benefit some students over others or change the qualification’s assessment criteria as outlined in the Specification. Eligibility for special consideration may include:

  • Impact on assessment performance due to unforeseen events like illness, accidents, loss, or problematic exam room conditions;
  • Inadequacy or inappropriateness of pre-agreed alternative assessment arrangements;
  • Ensuring that special consideration doesn’t give a misleading impression of the student’s achievements.

Applications for special consideration must be submitted to Napa Valley Wine Academy within four working days following the assessment. Applications must include independent supporting documentation and will be evaluated in line with WSET’s privacy policy.
In the event of significant examination disruptions, the Examinations Officer is required to report the details and affected students to WSET along with the examination papers.
The Academy will maintain records of all special consideration applications.

Reasonable Adjustments Policy

WSET and Napa Valley Wine Academy are committed to fair assessment for all students, ensuring no one is disadvantaged or unfairly advantaged. Reasonable adjustments are modifications made to assist students with disabilities or difficulties that could put them at a significant disadvantage during assessments. These adjustments, sanctioned by WSET prior to the assessment, aim to provide equal access to qualifications without influencing the evaluation of a student’s work.

Adjustments must not compromise the assessment’s fairness or the accuracy and reliability of the outcomes, as outlined in the relevant Specification. Possible adjustments include:

  • Modifying standard assessment conditions, like granting extra time;
  • Altering assessment materials for accessibility, such as large text formats;
  • Providing support like sign language interpreters or readers;
  • Adapting the assessment environment to meet specific needs.

The Napa Valley Wine Academy is responsible for identifying any student’s special needs at enrollment that may require adjustments during exams. A Reasonable Adjustment Application Form must be submitted to WSET well in advance of the exam—six weeks for Levels 1-3 and ten weeks for the Level 4 Diploma, along with any supporting evidence.

The specifics of the exam arrangements or marking will be decided case by case in consultation with WSET, which may consult independent agencies for advice. Note that adjustments can only be implemented after WSET’s approval. All supporting documentation will be treated according to WSET’s privacy policy.

It’s important for students and their advisors to recognize that adjustments should not be requested for difficulties that directly impact the assessment’s key skills.

The Academy will maintain records of all applications for reasonable adjustments.

Diversity and Equality Policy

Napa Valley Wine Academy is dedicated to fostering diversity and equality across all aspects of its activities, ensuring fair and equal treatment for all students and stakeholders.

Commitment to Equality of Opportunity:

  • Providing open access to all qualifications, respecting legal age restrictions for alcohol purchase and assessment competency standards.
  • Facilitating access for students with special educational needs, disabilities, or temporary injuries, ensuring assessments remain unchanged in demand through our Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration policies.
  • Incorporating considerations of this policy in the development of new qualifications.
  • Maintaining a diversity and equality policy that encourages open access to our qualifications.
  • Welcoming feedback on diversity matters from students and stakeholders.
  • Collaborating with relevant organizations to create strategies for identifying and preventing unequal opportunities.
  • Conducting regular reviews of this policy to confirm its effectiveness and compliance with legal and organizational standards.

Napa Valley Wine Academy supports equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from any individual or organization that meets our approval criteria.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Introduction
WSET has approved Napa Valley Wine Academy as an Approved Program Provider (APP). As a regulated awarding organization, WSET is required to identify, monitor, and manage actual, potential, and perceived conflicts of interest (‘Conflicts of Interest’). This is essential to safeguard the integrity of WSET qualifications and promote confidence in WSET processes.
This document offers guidance to individuals engaged in activities undertaken on behalf of WSET (the awarding organization of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust), which have the potential to lead them to act contrary to the interests of WSET in the development, delivery, assessment, and award of its regulated qualifications.
It defines what is meant by conflict of interest, describes such conflicts of interest in the context of working with WSET, identifies those conflicts of interest that can be managed and are therefore acceptable and those that cannot be managed and are therefore unacceptable. It also gives examples of potential conflicts of interest.
Scope of this Policy
This policy is applicable to all staff members employed by the Napa Valley Wine Academy and to any individuals acting on behalf of Napa Valley Wine Academy.
Definition of Conflict of Interest
A Conflict of Interest exists where an individual has interests or loyalties that could adversely influence their judgment, objectivity, or loyalty to WSET when conducting activities associated with WSET qualifications.
Examples of Conflicts of Interest in the context of an awarding organization include:

  • The undertaking of any moderation of assessment of student by an individual who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment for any or all individuals concerned;
  • The tutoring of students by an individual involved in the assessment process;
  • The undertaking of a WSET qualification by any individual employed by an Approved Program Provider;
  • The undertaking of a WSET qualification by any individual employed by WSET;
  • The coaching of students by any individual involved in the assessment of student scripts or the authoring of examination questions;
  • The employment by an APP of individuals engaged in the delivery of taught programs or in the role of Internal Assessor in another APP;
  • The investigation of a non-compliance incident by someone who is unable to act impartially.

Some of these Conflicts of Interest can be managed and are therefore acceptable. For example, the marking of WSET Level 3 tasting assessments by Internal Assessors is verified by WSET to mitigate the risk of a Conflict of Interest. Similarly, where an employee of the WSET or one of its APPs undertakes a WSET qualification, measures can be put in place to maintain the integrity of the assessment, provided this has been notified to WSET in advance.
Some Conflicts of Interest cannot be managed and are not acceptable. For example, it would be inappropriate for an individual involved in authoring examination questions or compiling examination papers to teach or coach students.
Identification of Conflicts of Interest
Any individual involved in the delivery of WSET qualifications who becomes aware of a Conflict of Interest must inform the Quality Assurance (QA) in writing immediately. Conflict of Interest declarations will be recorded by WSET on the Conflicts of Interest Register.
Please note that any APP that fails to declare a Conflict of Interest may be in breach of its terms of approval, and sanctions may be applied in accordance with the Malpractice and Maladministration Policy. Where a Conflict of Interest is identified by WSET rather than the individual(s) concerned, the HOQC will take steps to mitigate the effect of the Conflict of Interest and may apply sanctions to an APP in accordance with the Malpractice and Maladministration Policy.
Management of Conflicts of Interest
Napa Valley Wine Academy has procedures in place to manage specific Conflicts of Interest. To report a conflict of interest please refer to the following section. 

Malpractice and Maladministration Policy

Napa Valley Wine Academy protects the interests of our students and safeguards the integrity of WSET qualifications by ensuring compliance with WSET Policies and Procedures. Non-compliance with Napa Valley Wine Academy and WSET Policies and Procedures generally falls into one of two categories:

Maladministration, where non-compliance is accidental rather than intentional, and malpractice, where non-compliance is deliberate or the result of negligence.

Whether a situation is maladministration or malpractice will be determined by Napa Valley Wine Academy and WSET following an investigation.

If you think an incident has occurred, please email us immediately at [email protected] Please include a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the suspicions and allegations.

Malpractice or maladministration may include:

  • Submission of false or inaccurate information to gain a qualification;
  • Cheating, including the use of unauthorized devices or materials;
  • Failure to a disclose Conflict of Interest;
  • Disruptive behavior in an exam;
  • Plagiarism of any nature by students;
  • Impersonation (including forgery of signatures);

FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS

Napa Valley Wine Academy is committed to providing a learning and working environment in which complaints are responded to promptly and with minimum distress to all parties. Napa Valley Wine Academy is committed to a visible, accessible, and fair complaints process. Napa Valley Wine Academy views student complaints as providing an opportunity to review and improve its policies and practices and also to gain insight into student levels of satisfaction.

This policy applies to student complaints made in the context of Napa Valley Wine Academy’s provision of WSET® Courses and Examinations as a WSET® Approved Program Provider.

A complaint is a formal statement expressing dissatisfaction that requires action or response. The complaint may be in relation to any aspect of the course delivery, conduct of teaching staff or management, or matters pertaining to the examination process or content. Where the complaint is regarding a possible incorrect examination result, Napa Valley Wine Academy will provide students with appropriate information regarding the WSET® Enquiry and Appeals Process.
Policy:
Napa Valley Wine Academy’s procedures for handling student complaints are based on confidentiality, impartiality, procedural fairness, and prompt resolution. Where complaints are of a minor nature, they may be resolved informally. An informal approach is appropriate when it can be achieved. But if concerns cannot be satisfactorily resolved informally, then the formal complaints procedure should be followed. The formal complaints procedure is intended to ensure that all complaints are handled fairly and consistently. All formal complaints must be
submitted in writing, via email, or written correspondence. All formal complaints will receive a written response of the outcome of the complaint, following appropriate investigation of the circumstances.

Napa Valley Wine Academy: [email protected]
2501 Oak Street, Napa, CA 94558. www.napavalleywineacademy.com
855­513­9738

Napa Valley Wine Academy’s responsibilities will be to:

  • acknowledge any formal complaint received in writing within ten working days
  • respond within a stated period of time of 21 working days with either a conclusion or a further update depending on the severity of the complaint
    deal reasonably and sensitively with the complainant
  • cooperate fully in any investigation process
  • take action where appropriate, including any corrective action necessary to prevent recurrence; if the complaint relates to examination content or results, provide the student with the relevant WSET® guidance notes and forms to allow the student to utilize the WSET® Enquiries and Appeals process

A complainant’s responsibility is to bring their complaint, in writing, to Napa Valley Wine Academy’s attention within seven working days of the issue arising or within seven days of completion of the course or examination; explain the problem as clearly and as fully as possible with your expected outcome;
allow Napa Valley Wine Academy a reasonable time to deal with the matter
recognize that some circumstances may be beyond Napa Valley Wine Academy’s control.

Students will receive written advice on the outcome of their complaints. Some of the possible outcomes of a student complaint include:

  • Through the resolution process, the student gains a better understanding of the situation so that their concerns are addressed.
  • A mutually acceptable resolution is reached through conciliation or mediation.
  • The student receives an apology, and/or the issue or behavior that was the basis of their complaint is modified. In some cases, the complaint cannot be substantiated, and no further action will result.

If the above steps have all been completed and the student is still dissatisfied, they can file a complaint with the WSET. Please note that the WSET can only take action on complaints from students if they have followed the above procedures first. email [email protected]

All documentation relating to complaints will be kept strictly confidential and will not be accessible to anyone who is not directly involved in handling the complaint. Any material about the outcome of the complaint will be placed on the appropriate student file. A register of complaints made (anonymous of names), along with their outcomes, will be maintained to continuously improve policies and practices.

 

PHOTOS & VIDEO

We often take candid and group photos and videos of classes and events and use them to publicly recap or promote future classes and events. By attending a class or event hosted by us, either in person or online, you agree to allow us to use any photos or videos that contain your image or likeness on our website, email communications, social media channels, or other 3rd party advertisements without obtaining permission from you individual

IN-PERSON COURSE & WORKSHOP REFUNDS & TRANSFERS

Cancellations of confirmed in-person course enrollments and workshops are accepted up to 60 days before the start of the course. An administration fee of $50 plus the full cost of the study materials and exam fees will be deducted, and the remainder of the course fee refunded to the payee. Separate WSET exam cancellation/transfer rules apply.
Transfers of a confirmed enrollment to another course are accepted 60 days before the course start date with an administration fee of $50.

Cancellations less than 60 days before the in-person course start date or course no shows forfeit any refund/transfer options unless students can provide medical documentation. If medical documentation is provided, students can be transferred to a later course. No refunds will be applied.

Course Transfers cannot be carried forward to the next academic year (which commenced on January 1).

Students are highly encouraged to purchase separate travel insurance.

You've got this!

Flamingo Hotel Las Vegas

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

February 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

3555 Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

 

You've got this!

Mariott Santa Ynez

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

April 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

555 McMurray Road

Buelton, CA 93427

 

You've got this!

Art Hotel Denver

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

March 5, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Mountain)

at

1201 Broadway

Denver, CO 80203

 

You've got this!

Aloft Nashville

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

February 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Central)

at 

1719 West End Ave.

Nashville, TN 37203

 

You've got this!

Epicurean Hotel

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

March 19, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Eastern)

at

1207 S Howard Ave,

Tampa, FL 33606

 

You've got this!

Street View of HQ

Your WSET Level 3 exam will take place on

January 22, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Pacific)

at

2501 Oak Street

Napa, CA 94559

 

Search

[]