Vinitaly Academy Brings Wine Ambassador Course to Houston
Italian Wine Ambassador certification course comes to Houston on December 20-21, with a two-day program of tastings and an exam at the Post Oak Hotel.
By Academic Writing Club Newsroom
The Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) will hold its Italian Wine Ambassador Certification Course in Houston on December 20-21, the 37th edition of the course and its final edition of 2026. The two-day program is organized by Veronafiere in collaboration with ITA, the Italian Trade Agency, and will take place at Stella’s Wine Bar at the Post Oak Hotel. It is aimed at Texas wine professionals, sommeliers and importers, with wine professionals from across North America expected to attend. The VIA Community now counts over 2,000 participants to date, and 550 individuals have passed the exam to become certified Italian Wine Ambassadors, of whom 22 are certified Italian Wine Experts. Designed by the VIA Faculty, the course combines theory with in-person tastings and masterclasses, and it ends with an exam for one of the wine trade’s recognized Italian wine credentials.
How the Course Works
The course is split into two modules. Students first complete online theory lessons on the VIA e-learning platform before arriving in Houston, then spend one day on in-person practical sessions, including tastings of selected wines and Q&A sessions with the VIA Faculty.
The exam takes place on the second day and is followed by the Pinning Ceremony. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, two short-answer questions, a blind tasting of two wines and a group video project.
Why Houston
The Houston edition brings the academy back to Texas, a market with a concentration of Master Sommeliers in the city and across the state.
Stevie Kim, Managing Partner at Vinitaly, said:
“Having visited Houston twice recently, I’ve seen firsthand the growing appetite for a deeper understanding of Italian wine.”
“Texas is an incredibly exciting wine market, and the remarkable concentration of Master Sommeliers in Houston and across the state speaks volumes about the level of wine expertise and enthusiasm here. There’s a real thirst for in-depth Italian wine education, and I think it’s about time we brought the Vinitaly International Academy back to Texas. We’re excited to welcome the next generation of Italian Wine Ambassadors from Houston, across Texas, and beyond, and to explore the enormous potential this market has to offer.”
What Students Study
The certification course, organized by Veronafiere and Vinitaly, is curated by VIA Faculty member Sarah Heller MW, assisted and advised by scientific advisor Professor Attilio Scienza. Its focus is scientific, centered on the native grapes of Italy and on the biodiversity, history, culture and business of the country’s 20 regions.
Students work region by region through geology, viticulture and winemaking, and how each connects to Italian food, tradition and culture.
A Community Since 2015
Every student who has taken the program since it began in 2015 belongs to the VIA Community, a network of wine professionals and enthusiasts from around the world that offers an open forum for sharing wine information and career opportunities. Members take part in events through the year, including Academic Field Trips across Italy, judging in Verona at 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls, and attending OperaWine and the wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum.
Students come from every part of the wine sector, including educators, journalists, importers, hospitality and retailers.
Sarah Heller MW, Faculty member at Vinitaly International Academy, reflected:
“We invite students to join a profound and up to the minute conversation about Italian wines and what makes them so unique in the world, giving them new tools to communicate these wines and the solid foundation to become true Ambassadors, promoting Italian wines around the world.”
Who Can Take Part
The Houston course is open to wine professionals, sommeliers and importers in Texas and from across North America, with sessions running December 20-21 at Stella’s Wine Bar at the Post Oak Hotel. Theory lessons must be completed online before the in-person day. Details of the course are on the VIA Houston 2026 course page.
