Academy

Virginia Wine Expo & Capital Wine School Present Two Incredible Courses Which Include Admission to the Walk-Around Grand Tasting

In partnership with the Capital Wine School, the Virginia Wine Expo presents the Virginia Wine Expo Academy (VWEA), a unique and unparalleled opportunity to learn more about Virginia wine and, in 2024, Italian wine!

A two-class Certificate course, All About Virginia Wine, will be offered and a second, two-class Certificate course, All About Italian Wine, will be offered too. Both courses include admission to the Walk-Around Grand Tasting (details below).

After taking the courses, candidates will receive a Certificate, joining an exclusive club whose membership includes discounts on select future Virginia Wine Expo events.

VWEA's primary goal is to foster a network of Knowledgeable Wine Ambassadors, who will promote, support, and champion wine, especially Virginia wine, throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and well beyond.

Your Ticket to All About Virginia Wine Includes the Following

Enrollment in the two-class All About Virginia Wine, which concludes on Sunday, March 3, at historic Main Street Station
- The first online class will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, starting at 10 a.m.. A video replay of the class will be available shortly thereafter if you can't join the class at 10 a.m.
- The second LIVE class will be held on Sunday morning, starting at 10:15 a.m. at Main Street Station and will conclude at 12:00 p.m. just as the Sunday Walk-Around Grand Tasting begins
Admission to the Sunday Walk-Around Grand Tasting, held on Sunday, March 3, at historic Main Street Station

Your Ticket to All About Italian Wine Includes the Following

Enrollment in the two-class All About Italian Wine, which concludes on Saturday, March 2, at historic Main Street Station
- The first online class will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, starting at 10 a.m.. A video replay of the class will be available shortly thereafter if you can't join the class at 10 a.m.
- The second LIVE class will be held on Saturday morning, starting at 9:15 a.m. at Main Street Station and will conclude at 11:00 a.m. just as the Saturday VIP/Early Walk-Around Grand Tasting begins
Admission to the VIP/Early Saturday Walk-Around Grand Tasting, held on Saturday, March 2, at historic Main Street Station

NOTE: All About Italian Wine and All About Virginia Wine are held in the same building - Main Street Station - as the Walk-Around Grand Tastings, making it extremely convenient to attend the Academy class and then the Walk-Around Grand Tasting literally steps away

VWEA Faculty and Course Details

The VWEA courses will consist of two classes: the first class will be held online (via Zoom) a few weeks before the main Expo week and the second class will be held live at beautiful Main Street Station during the Expo's biggest weekend on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3.

The first, virtual class for each course will primarily focus on Virginia's and Italy's wine history and culture, terroir, biodiversity, viticultural regions, notable grape varietals, techniques and challenges, economics, distinctive characteristics, and place in the greater wine world. The second, live class at Main Street Station with a will be a thorough, comprehensive tasting of signature grape varietals and blends from each wine region.

The courses will be team-led by Jay Youmans, Educational Director and Owner of the Capital Wine School and a Master of Wine, and Caroline Hermann, an instructor at the Capital Wine School and also a Master of Wine and Erin Scala, a sommelier, wine writer, podcaster, and owner of ThinkBev, an innovative drinks consultancy.

Special Discount for the Trade

The wine trade will receive a 20% discount on the cost to enroll in All About Virginia Wine and All About Italian Wine. Interested members of the trade should e-mail Alex Papajohn at apapajohn@VariantEvents.com for details on trade enrollment.