VERONA – November 06, 2026 -- The Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) is taking its Italian Wine Ambassador Certification Course to Houston for the 37th edition of the program, targeting Texas sommeliers, importers and wine professionals. Veronafiere organizes the two-day course with ITA - the Italian Trade Agency. It will be held at Stella's Wine Bar at the Post Oak Hotel.
Course combines online theory with one day of in-person tastings
Students first complete theory lessons on the VIA e-learning platform. They then attend one day of in-person sessions, including tastings of selected wines and Q&A with the VIA Faculty. The exam follows on the second day, ending with a Pinning Ceremony.
The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions, two short-answer questions, a blind tasting of two wines and a group video project.
Certified ambassadors total 550, including 22 Italian Wine Experts
The VIA Community has more than 2,000 participants since the program began in 2015. Of those, 550 have passed the exam to become certified Italian Wine Ambassadors, and 22 of them hold the Italian Wine Expert title.
Participants come from across the wine sector, including educators, journalists, importers, hospitality businesses and retailers. Wine professionals from across North America are expected in Houston.
Vinitaly targets Texas market after two recent Houston visits
Stevie Kim, Managing Partner of Vinitaly, said she has visited Houston twice recently and sees a "real thirst for in-depth Italian wine education." She cited the concentration of Master Sommeliers in Houston and across Texas as evidence of the state's wine expertise.
Sarah Heller MW curates the course content, with scientific advice from Professor Attilio Scienza. The curriculum centers on Italy's native grapes and the biodiversity, history, culture and business of its 20 regions. Students study geology, viticulture and winemaking region by region, along with links to Italian food and tradition.
Community members can also take part in Academic Field Trips across Italy, judge at 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls in Verona, and attend OperaWine and the wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum.