Wine Institute has completed the global rollout of Capstone California Level 4, the final tier of its four-level wine certification program. The program now offers a complete pathway from introductory study through expert-level credentials focused exclusively on California wine. Since its 2021 launch, Capstone has enrolled more than 18,000 students across 111 countries, with coursework available in nine languages. Level 4 requires approximately 100 hours of structured study and tastings, moving beyond foundational learning to examine California's position within the global wine landscape.
Program Structure and Recognition Level 4 was developed under the leadership of Bree Stock, MW, with advisement from Capstone's architect and Lead Educator Evan Goldstein, MS, and an international team of wine educators. The curriculum includes interactive quizzes, AVA maps, simulations, video content, webinars, and interviews with California producers and winemakers. Capstone California received the Cultural Mission award in the Education in Enotourism category of the 2025–2026 Wine Travel Awards, which spans 48 countries and recognizes contributions to contemporary wine culture. "With Level 4, Capstone California achieves a global benchmark for California wine knowledge," said Honore Comfort, Vice President of International Marketing, Wine Institute. "Graduates join a community of experts, elevating the global dialogue on wine through deep regional insight. As a program, Capstone California continues to expand access to high-quality wine education supporting the future of the international wine sector."
Industry Application For beverage professionals and trade buyers, the program strengthens a global community equipped to understand, communicate and sell California wine with greater authority. The first cohort to complete Level 4 will be recognized at a summit in Europe in spring 2027. "Wine education has always been essential to the industry's future because it gives people the context to understand not only what is in the glass, but the history, place and people behind it," Goldstein said. "Capstone builds on Wine Institute's longstanding educational mission by giving learners around the world a substantive, accessible pathway into the extraordinary diversity and continuing evolution of California wine." Level 4 was introduced in Warsaw, Poland, during a gathering co-hosted with the Adam Pawłowski MS Wine Academy that brought together Capstone educators and alumni from across the program's international network. Students can enroll in all four levels at CapstoneCalifornia.com.
Why It Matters
As California wine exporters compete in 142 countries, a credentialed global community of educated professionals strengthens market positioning and consumer confidence. Wine Institute represents 80% of U.S. wine production and 95% of U.S. wine exports through its network of 15 regional representatives, making advanced education infrastructure a strategic asset for market development.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
