The manuals structure the study of each of Italy’s 20 distinct wine regions in the following manner:

• History, culture and traditions
• Location and climate with their effects on viticulture and wines
• Topography, geography and soils
• Grape varieties and their organoleptic profiles
• Viticulture and winemaking
• Wine industry trends and economics
• All DOCs and DOCGs with their regulations, wine styles and specificities

Although an Old World country, Italy is younger than the United States. Unification of the Italian peninsula occurred in 1861. In the centuries prior to Italian unification, Italy was divided into a plethora of small kingdoms and city-states. Each of these political entities shaped the history, people and culture of their region; for this reason, studying Italy is akin to studying the wine production of 20 different countries--each one with its own grapes, wines, food and traditions.

While not a pre-requisite, we recommend that students have successfully completed, at a minimum, one of the following programs before enrolling in the Italian Wine Scholar program: WSET level 2, Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) or Court of Master Sommelier’s Introductory Sommelier Certificate (Level 1).

The era of self-professed wine experts is long over. Professionals need credentials.
Certification is resume-building, validates competency and serves as a point of distinction midst trade and peers alike.

The IWS study manual has already received many words of praise by wine professionals including Nicolas Belfrage MW, Ciro Pirone, Jeannie Cho Lee MW, Craig Locascio, Paul Wagner, and Peter Marks MW. 

Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) study programs have been taught internationally to over 10,000 students of wine!

WSG student evaluations have been very positive; students love learning with our innovative and multi-faceted educational tools.

In the 17 years since its inception, the Wine Scholar Guild has become the world leader in specialization programs on the wines of France. We aim to do the same for Italy!

The Italian Wine Scholar program is a great resource and supplement for students of wine moving toward advanced general wine study programs such as WSET Diploma (level 4), Master of Wine, Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Sommelier (level 3 and up) or Society of Wine Educator’s Certified Wine Educator (CWE). 

Many of these programs ask their students to do extensive independent research in order to study for their exam. To this end, the Italian Wine Scholar program serves as an advanced and comprehensive study supplement to help them master the complex wines of Italy.

The program deepens and strengthens the student’s knowledge of Italian wine. 

Successful completion of the program confers the Italian Wine Scholar title. This may be incorporated into a professional signature and added to the resumé/CV. For individuals hoping to start a second career in wine, this credential provides a strong knowledge base enabling a job applicant to enter the industry from a position of strength.

The Wine Scholar Guild’s Italian Wine Scholar Program received official endorsement from the Italian Trade Commission (ITA).

The Italian Trade Commission is a governmental body whose role is to promote the internationalization of Italian companies in line with the strategies of the Italian Ministry for Economic Development. It identifies and connects Italian and foreign businesses and provides support and advice to both.

The program has also received endorsements from several regional wine consortia as well as testimonials from high-profile industry professionals.

See all Endorsments and Testimonials

The Italian Wine Scholar program was created by the Wine Scholar Guild educational team including Maurizio Broggi, Education Director for Italy; Lisa M. Airey, Director of Education and Kirra Barnes, Editorial Assistant. 

We would also like to extend our appreciation to the following organizations for sharing their resources and extending their support: Federdoc, Regione Piemonte – Dip. Agricoltura, Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Roero & Andrea Ferrero, Consorzio Barbera d'Asti Docg e Vini del Monferrato & Daniele Becchi, Azienda Agricola G. Ricci Curbastro e Figli, Cave du Vin Blanc de Morgex et La Salle, Casa Vinicola Aldo Rainoldi, La Brugherata, Ramoino & Fabiana Ramoino, Elio Ottin,  Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Acqui, Enoteca Regionale Gattinara & Roberto Sella, Consorzio Tutela Vini Caluso Carema Canavese, Consorzio Tutela del Roero & Francesco Monchiero, Azienda Agricola Vezzoli Giuseppe, Consorzio Tutela del Gavi, Cantina Comunale "I Sorì di Diano", Tim Holmes & Aosta Valley Representation (UK), Cantina Favaro, Consorzio Vini Alto Adige & Werner Waldboth, Consorzio Vini del Trentino - Trentino Marketing & Graziano Molon & Valentina Voltolini, Augustiner Chorherrenstift Neustift - Abbazia di Novacella, Cantina Conte Vistarino, Giorgi di F.lli Giorgi, Terre Bianche & Filippo Rondelli, Enoteca Grazia di Sestri Levante, Consorzio Tutela del Franciacorta, Consorzio Tutela Bardolino Doc, Consorzio Tutela Vino Custoza, Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella, Tommaso Bussola, Tommasi Viticoltori, Consorzio Tutela del Soave, Gravner,  Consorzio Tutela Vini Collio, Roncus, Mauro Businaro, Francesco Bonini, Consorzio Tutela del Vino Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Consorzio per la tutela del Prosecco Doc, Consorzio Tutela Vini Doc Friuli Grave, Consorzio Tutela Vini Friuli Colli Orientali, Consorzio Tutela Vini Doc Friuli Isonzo, Cantina Mario Schiopetto, Gdmtech & Graziano De Maio.

The Italian Wine Scholar Certification Program is a course of study on the wines and wine regions of Italy. It is an advanced curriculum tailored to the wine trade and to serious wine hobbyists.