Italian Wine Maestro Certification Course

Course dates: 6, 13, 20, 27 May, 3, 10, 17, 24 Jun 2025 (Tue) | 7-10pm | Exam: 15 Jul 2025 | $ 7600

Educator: Justin Chen, Italian Wine Ambassador, Certified WSET & Italian Wine Educator

What is the Italian Wine Maestro Certification Course?

This course introduces students to the wealth of Italian native grape varieties that are fundamental to understanding Italy’s complex and fascinating wines.

As the complementary base course to VIA’s education system, Italian Wine Maestro is not only the foundation course to the higher-level Italian Wine Ambassador qualification but also resonates with the continuous contribution from the evolving VIA world community. Ultimately, the VIA qualifications aim to be the gold standard of Italian Wine Education, under the guidance of its founder Stevie Kim, VIA Chief scientist Prof. Attilio Scienza and supported by the Institutional Advisory board members.

Who is this program for?

This program aims to develop a group of highly knowledgeable and skilled specialists who are able to speak and write about Italian wines with authority and will be credible representatives of Vinitaly International Academy. Students may include but are not limited to, Italian wine lovers, sommeliers, trade professionals, wine buyers, educators and wine writers.

Session Plan

S1: Introduction, Grape Groups and Families & Focus on Italian Sparkling Wine

S2: Piedmont’s Native Grapes

S3: Native Grapes of Veneto & Valle d’Aosta

S4: Native Grapes of Friuli-Venezia Giulia & Trentino-Alto Adige

S5: Native Grapes of Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany & Umbria

S6: Native Grapes of Le Marche, Molise, Abruzzo & Puglia

S7: Native Grapes of Lazio, Campania, Basilicata & Calabria

S8: Native Grapes of Sicily & Sardegna

* Average 3 hours per session, including theory and tasting. (for intensive classes, 2 sessions will be covered per day)

Course Book

Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0 (not included in course fee)
Please purchase from here

Examination

Unit One (1 hour): Written exam

50 Multiple Choice

Unit Two (20 minutes): Tasting exam

One white and one red

Passing grade: 65%

(A number of outstanding students from the VIA Maestro course may be eligible for direct entry to the VIA Ambassador Certification course.)

Examination will be conducted on a separate date.