VIA Verona 2026

The Italian Wine Ambassador Certification Course at Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) is structured in two modules. The first module includes a series of online theory lessons while the second consists of four days of in-person practical lessons.

The VIA Course was designed by the VIA Faculty with the goal of certifying qualified Italian Wine Ambassadors. The course allows students to study in-depth theoretical and practical material in order to become authoritative international ambassadors for Italian wine around the world. The two-part format allows students to obtain the best results in their studies, and those who obtain the title of Italian Wine Ambassador gain a valuable advantage in building a long-term career in the global wine sector. 

Course format 

VIA focuses on the study of native Italian grape varieties, region by region, with a deep attention to geology, history, terroir and denominations. Students are provided with a 360° experience, learning about geology, viticulture and winemaking and their connection to Italian food, wine tradition, history and culture.

Online theory module:

• The online sessions uploaded on the e-learning platform form the basis of the program and students are required to study this content before the start of the in-person course; 
• The lessons cover all 20 Italian wine regions including in-depth sessions on the main Italian grape varieties and denominations and on the VIA Tasting Approach.

In-person practical sessions:

• The in-person sessions will take place at the Vinitaly International Academy, located in the wine2digital office at Veronafiere on Viale del Lavoro 8, in Verona.
• There are 4 class days divided into: lectures, Masterclasses, tasting sessions of selected wines and Q&A sessions with the VIA Faculty.

The course ends on the fifth day with the final exam consisting of: 

• 100 multiple choice questions,
• 2 open questions with short answers,
• blind tasting of 2 wines,
• a group video project.