THE ITALIAN WINE SCHOLAR® PROGRAM IS THE INDUSTRY'S MOST RESPECTED CERTIFICATION COURSE ON THE WINES OF ITALY
Master the wines of Northern Italy through self-study fully supported by a comprehensive study manual, interactive e-learning modules for each region, and 14 on-demand webinars. The Italian Wine Scholar® Unit 1 curriculum via online learning offers an interactive program that is put into a measurable, meaningful format designed for maximum retention of content and ease of use.
Students who pass the exam for Unit 1 and Unit 2 will earn the Italian Wine Scholar® (IWS) post-nominal.
We provide stellar instruction from an acclaimed instructor, a flexible schedule of study designed for busy professionals and all the necessary tools to master the wines of Central & Southern Italy.
The Italian Wine Scholar course is composed of two separate units, which can be studied in any order:
- The Wines of Northern Italy (Unit 1)
- The Wines of Central & Southern Italy (Unit 2)
Online Format Program Kick-Off October 19 Price: $725 |
The Italian Wine Scholar® Unit 1 - Online Format

Plus:
- The IWS Study Roadmap: A Checklist For Success, providing a suggested schedule of study
- On-demand webinars with Italian Programs Director Andrea Eby
- Live monthly program kick-off and Q&A sessions with your instructor
- The Italian Wine Scholar® Unit 1 online exam
- Online quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
- A list of recommended wines to sample on your own or in a tasting group organized by students enrolled in the online program
- Downloadable maps
Online Format Program Kick-Off: October 19 Price: $725 |
Meet your instructor
Andrea Eby IWS, DipWSET, CSW
• WSG Italian Programs Director
• DipWSET holder with Distinction and awarded the ProWein Scholarship in recognition of her accomplishments
• Worked for more than a decade in the wine world; as a wine buyer, in retail sales, and as a drinks educator at one of Canada’s top wine stores
• Member of the expert judging panels at the Decanter World Wine Awards, International Wine Challenge, and Vinitaly 5 Star Wines
• Student of the Institute of Masters of Wine
How does it work?
- You receive the full-color, 262-page Italian Wine Scholar study manual for Unit 1 for independent reading and study. Work through the material when you have time in your schedule.
- You are provided access to on-line study modules and review quizzes corresponding to the course content found in the manual. These are available to you 24/7!
- Watch the 14 accompanying on-demand webinars, available anywhere, anytime on your computer, tablet or phone. These are available to you as recordings and can be rewatched anytime during your year-long registration period.
- Join the live monthly Program Kick-Off and Q&A sessions with your instructor to gain study tips or help before the exam.
- Have a question after watching a recorded webinar? Contact your instructor via and Instructor Q&A forum or email them directly.
- Track your progress through the course curriculum via our online tracking system.
- You have one year from your registration date to take your exam for Unit 1. The test consists of 100 multiple choice questions. There is no tasting component. All you need is a laptop equipped with microphone and webcam and an internet connection.
- We have structured the curriculum into a four-month program to keep you focused and disciplined in your study. But you have a full year to sit the exam…just in case life gets in the way.
Why this format?
1. It is manageable.
The program is designed to keep you on track…but it is also flexible enough to enable you to catch up should your schedule get interrupted…or even to suspend it should you get derailed. It is designed to accommodate the needs of a busy professional.
2. You have real human support.
Andrea is available for questions during the live monthly Q&A sessions, via the Q&A forum and via email. There is also a student forum should you wish to create a study group/tasting group in your area or just interact with your fellow students. You can be as interactive or as independent as you want to be.
3. You are part of a global student community.
Your classmates will hail from every segment of the wine industry from all over the globe and offer very different insights and points of view. The intellectual ferment adds to the depth of your learning.
4. Your classroom is mobile.
If you have a computer, cell phone or tablet, you have a classroom.
Schedule of study
Live Program Kick-Off |
Welcome & Introduction to Unit 1 Meet your instructor General orientation (online forums, course navigation, study assists) How to successfully complete the course Read "Foundations" Watch welcome webinar |
Recorded Session 1 |
Valle d'Aosta Read "Valle d'Aosta" Review study assists Watch Valle d'Aosta review webinar |
Recorded Session 2 |
Piemonte Part One Read "Piemonte" Watch Piemonte Part One review webinar |
Recorded Session 3 |
Piemonte Part Two Read "Piemonte" Review study assists Watch Piemonte Part Two review webinar |
Recorded Session 4 |
Piemonte Part Three Read "Piemonte" Review study assists Watch Piemonte Part Three review webinar |
Recorded Session 5 |
Liguria Read "Liguria" Review study assists Watch Liguria review webinar |
Recorded Session 6 |
Lombardia Read "Lombardia" Review study assists Watch Lombardia review webinar |
Recorded Session 7 |
Emilia-Romagna Read "Emilia-Romagna" Review study assists Watch Emilia-Romagna review webinar |
Recorded Session 8 |
Trentino Read "Trentino" Review study assists Watch Trentino review webinar |
Recorded Session 9 |
Alto Adige Read "Alto Adige" Review study assists Watch Alto Adige review webinar |
Recorded Session 10 |
Veneto Part One Read "Veneto" Review study assists Watch Veneto Part One review webinar |
Recorded Session 11 |
Veneto Part Two Read "Veneto" Review study assists Watch Veneto Part Two review webinar |
Recorded Session 12 |
Friuli Venezia Giulia Read "Friuli Venezia Giulia" Review study assists Watch Friuli Venezia Giulia review webinar |
Recorded Session 13 |
Final Review Review study assists Watch Review & Exam Prep Take Practice exam |
Study Materials
WE OFFER ALL THE NECESSARY TOOLS & SUPPORT TO MASTER THE WINES OF NORTHERN ITALY:
#1 ITALIAN WINE SCHOLAR STUDY MANUAL:
The 260-page, full-color study manual provides all the information from which the test questions are derived. You do not need to research you own study materials; everything you need to know is in the manual.
A comprehensive cover of Northern Italy’s 9 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
Regions covered: Valle d’Aosta, Lombardia, Piemonte, Trentino, Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna
Plus: A Foundation Unit covering Italian wine law, history, geography, topography, climate, viticulture and wine styles
Italian Wine Scholar® study manual Unit 1 (Northern Italy) features:
#2 IWS Online Study Modules:
The IWS online study modules offer interactive presentations that are put into a measurable, meaningful format designed for maximum retention of content and ease of use. Each region of Northern Italy are covered and dovetails nicely with the Italian Wine Scholar study manual Unit 1. Study materials are available 24/7. If you’ve got a laptop and an internet connection, you’ve got a classroom!
Italian Wine Scholar® online study modules features:
- Quizzes and learning games for self-evaluation
- Full audio narration to offer new insight and keep you engaged
- Your place is automatically bookmarked/saved to resume where you left off
- A progress bar tracks your accomplishments
#3 Professional Instructor Support
- Online Independent Study: via the Q&A forum answered by Italian Programs Director Andrea Eby
- Online Instructor-led Format: via the Q&A forum plus during live monthly Q&A sessions with your instructor
- In Classroom: via a local, certified instructor
Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1 Online Exam:
- The exam is composed of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed in 60 minutes. There is no tasting component.
- To become an Italian Wine Scholar and receive the IWS credential candidates need to pass the exams for Unit 1 and Unit 2 with a composite score of 75%
- The scores from both exams are added together and averaged for final assessment.
- Students with a composite score of 85-90.5 pass with HONORS. Candidates scoring 91-100 pass with HIGHEST HONORS.
- Online exam candidates must have a computer (tablet not compatible), a good internet connection, a webcam and a microphone with speakers for proctoring purposes.
- You have one year from your registration date to take your final exam for Unit 1.
Program Preview:
About the program:
The Italian Wine Scholar® education program is the most advanced, comprehensive, and up-to-date Italian wine course available. The syllabus takes a regional approach and discusses all Italian wine appellations and the factors that shape their identities.
The program provides committed students of wine with an unparalleled set of study tools that are designed to maximize learning and boost knowledge retention.
It was created with the support of the Italian wine DOC/G consortia.
The Italian Trade Commission (ITA) endorsed the program in recognition of its exceptional level of depth, accuracy, detail, and academic rigor.
The Italian Wine Scholar study and certification program confers a post-nominal to wine professionals and enthusiasts who successfully pass the certification exams (Ex: John Smith, IWS). With a school network encompassing over 30 countries on 5 continents, the IWS credential has true international recognition.