Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador Certification Course is back in New York March 1-2, 2025 with a brand new format, hosted for the second year in a row by Banville Wine Merchants, 126 E 38th St, New York. Applications are now open. Space is limited, so apply today: https://www.vinitaly.com/en/academy/vinitaly-international-academy/courses/via-new-york-2025/
VERONA, Italy, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The New Course Format
Wine professionals and wine enthusiasts from all over the world can now apply to the 31st edition of the VIA course, held in Manhattan at Banville Wine Merchants for the second year in a row. The course provides a deep dive into the kaleidoscopic panorama of Italian wines during an intense day filled with lectures and wine tastings led by VIA Faculty member Sarah Heller MW. Previously, satellite courses were spread across two half-day classroom sessions, with the exam and the pinning ceremony taking place on day three. The aim of the new format is to make the experience even more immersive, focusing on the diversity and uniqueness of Italian wines and wine regions for a whole day packed with insights into this wide panorama of grape varieties and appellations. The exam is now scheduled on day two, followed by the announcement of the newly appointed Italian Wine Ambassadors and Experts during the exciting pinning ceremony.
Lia Banville, on her side, is delighted to host VIA New York for the second year in a row: "We at Banville Wine Merchants are very happy to support the VIA because the education of Italian wines in the North American market is a fundamental focus of ours. The VIA is at the forefront and has quickly become the standard for excellence in Italian wine education."
Why New York and Why Now
The U.S. market is crucial for Italian wines, representing nearly 29% of Italy's global wine exports, according to statistics from the first 2 quarters of 2024, with New York as its vibrant epicenter. Bringing the VIA certification course to Manhattan reinforces the importance of equipping wine professionals in the U.S. with authoritative knowledge and tools to champion Italian wines with confidence and precision.
"The U.S. is the most important market for Italian wines, and New York City serves as its beating heart. This course is not just about certification—it's about building a community of Italian Wine Ambassadors who are equipped to tell the story of Italy's wines with authority, depth, and passion," says Stevie Kim, Founder of Vinitaly International Academy.
The VIA Community and Networking
Our Team and our Faculty members are always happy to meet new candidates, to guide and assist them on their challenging journeys to become Italian Wine Ambassadors, giving all the support they need to succeed in the exam and, perhaps most importantly, warmly welcoming them to the vibrant VIA Community.
VIA candidates immediately join an enthusiastic global network of wine professionals, expanding opportunities for collaboration, further education and career growth. Whether or not students pass the rigorous exam, aspiring Italian Wine Ambassadors immediately become part of this ever-growing and flourishing Community made up of Italian wine professionals and wine lovers around the world.
Seize the opportunity to become an Italian Wine Ambassador and learn how to spread the gospel of Italian wine with authority and professionalism. Are you ready for this incredible experience? Don't miss the chance to take part in this prestigious course, right in the heart of The Big Apple: ️ https://www.vinitaly.com/en/academy/vinitaly-international-academy/courses/via-new-york-2025/.
About: Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) is the global gold standard in Italian wine education, offering rigorous and organized courses to foster a network of Italian Wine Ambassadors and Italian Wine Experts who champion the diversity and excellence of Italian wines worldwide: in turn, they will support and promote Italian wine throughout the world. VIA was founded by Stevie Kim, Managing Partner of Vinitaly. The new VIA ecosystem avails of the guidance of Italian trade associations Federdoc, Federvini, Vignaioli Indipendenti FIVI, and Unione Italiana Vini as members of the Institutional Advisory Board. Italian vine genetics scholar, Prof. Attilio Scienza, oversees VIA's scientific and educational direction as the Chief Scientist. VIA Faculty Sarah Heller MW teaches the flagship Italian Wine Ambassador course. To date, VIA has certified 421 Italian Wine Ambassadors across the globe of which 17 are also Italian Wine Experts.
Media Contact
Vinitaly International Media Dept, Veronafiere, +39 045 8101447, [email protected], https://www.vinitaly.com/en/academy/vinitaly-international-academy/
SOURCE Vinitaly International Academy
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