Italian Wine Academy

What Italian Wine Academy does

Italian Wine Academy, operated by Trade-com S.r.l. and headquartered in Verona, Italy, is a specialized wine education provider serving both consumer enthusiasts and hospitality industry professionals. The company operates as an Approved Programme Provider (APP) for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), delivering internationally recognized wine credentials, and in 2025 it became the first Italy-based host of Comité Champagne's Champagne Specialist course. Its student base spans B2C learners pursuing personal enrichment and B2B trade participants — sommeliers, importers, and hospitality staff — seeking career-advancing certifications.

The academy's core product is structured classroom-based wine instruction, with course fees ranging from approximately €250 to €1,190 per student depending on level, and a stated minimum cohort size of around 10 students. Delivery is supported by a network of partner venues across Italy, and the curriculum has been extended to online formats for WSET Levels 1 and 2, lowering geographic friction for enrollment. In 2026, the academy expanded its product surface with the launch of the Study Smart audio learning series, distributed through a partnership with the Italian Wine Podcast, signaling a move into asynchronous digital content beyond live instruction.

The business model is course-fee-based revenue: students pay per credentialing program, with no disclosed subscription, enterprise licensing, or platform/marketplace economics. The company operates with a small team of 1–10 employees and has not disclosed external funding, valuation, or revenue figures. Growth signals are visible in partnership velocity (Comité Champagne, Italian Wine Podcast, Vinitaly International Academy) and channel expansion (online delivery, podcast distribution), but the underlying scale remains that of a boutique education operator rather than a scaled platform.

Name

Italian Wine Academy

Legal name

Trade-com S.r.l.

Website

https://italianwineacademy.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Italian Wine Academy (Trade-com S.r.l.) is a Verona-based wine education provider delivering WSET-approved credentials and the first Italy-based Comité Champagne Specialist course to enthusiasts and hospitality professionals through partner venues across Italy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Education and Certification

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Bar & Beverage (Bartending/Mixology/Coffee/Tea) (EDAOAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beverage Craft Classes (Coffee, Tea, Mixology, Wine/Beer Education) (THAJAKAF), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD)

Keywords

• Wine education
• WSET certification
• Sommelier training
• Wine tasting courses
• Champagne specialist training

Headquarters

HQ city

Verona

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. WSET Course Fees: Revenue generated from WSET Level 1, 2, and 3 award in wine courses, both in-person and online formats. Students pay course fees that include study materials, tasting sessions, and certification examination.
2. Champagne Specialist Course Fees: Revenue from Comité Champagne certified Champagne Specialist courses, including 14 hours of instruction, guided tastings of 14 Champagnes, and certification examination fees.
3. Gift Vouchers: Sale of gift vouchers ranging from €50 to €200, allowing purchasers to gift wine education courses to others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Italian Wine Academy delivers internationally recognized wine education through WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses at Levels 1, 2, and 3 in both in-person (at the Verona headquarters and partner venues across Italy) and online formats, plus the Comité Champagne Specialist course offered for the first time in Italy. Courses combine multi-day classroom instruction (6–30 hours) with guided tastings of 9 to 70+ wines, study materials, and certification examinations that produce globally recognized credentials for wine professionals and enthusiasts.

Product overview

Italian Wine Academy offers a comprehensive wine education portfolio centered around WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses at Levels 1, 2, and 3, available in both in-person and online formats. The academy serves as the Italian host for the Comité Champagne's Champagne Specialist Course. The product portfolio includes intensive classroom courses held at the Verona campus (wine2digital/Vinitaly International Academy spaces) with guided wine tastings, supported by online learning modules for remote study. Supplementary offerings include the Study Smart audio learning series for exam preparation, study tools (books and guides), and gift vouchers. The courses target wine industry professionals, sommeliers, restaurateurs, importers, educators, and wine enthusiasts seeking internationally recognized certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WSET Level 1 Award in Wine (In-Person) A one-day introductory wine course (6 hours of classroom instruction plus exam) covering the main factors that determine wine style, grape varieties, wine service, storage, and food pairing. Includes tasting of 9 wines, study materials, and the WSET Level 1 certification examination. Priced at €290 (incl. VAT). Designed for wine enthusiasts, beginners, and career changers seeking first professional introduction to international wine knowledge.
• WSET Level 1 Award in Wine (Online) Online version of the introductory wine course delivered over 4 weeks with 5 modules, with access to digital course materials at the student's own pace and WSET educator support. The certification exam is held in-person at the Verona campus. Priced at €250 (incl. VAT). Designed for remote learners and international students who cannot attend in-person classes.
• WSET Level 2 Award in Wine (In-Person) A three-day intensive wine course (17 hours of instruction) providing a solid overview of wine production areas, styles, and evaluation. Covers factors affecting wine style, still wines, fortified wines, and sparkling wines. Includes tasting of 50 wines, study materials, and the WSET Level 2 certification examination. Priced at €640 (incl. VAT). Targeted at hospitality and wine trade professionals seeking intermediate certification.
• WSET Level 2 Award in Wine (Online) Online version of the intermediate wine course delivered over 5 weeks with 6 modules, covering wine production areas, grape varieties, and tasting techniques. Printed study materials are shipped and the certification exam is held in-person at the Verona campus. Priced at €530 (incl. VAT). Targeted at remote learners seeking WSET Level 2 certification.
• WSET Level 3 Award in Wine (In-Person) An advanced five-day wine course (30 hours of instruction) providing in-depth understanding of viticulture, vinification, and wine evaluation. Covers still, fortified, and sparkling wines from major world wine regions. Includes tasting of over 70 wines, study materials, and the WSET Level 3 certification examination. Priced at €1,190 (incl. VAT). Targeted at advanced wine professionals and serious enthusiasts.
• Champagne Specialist Course A professional certification course created by the Comité Champagne, hosted in Italy for the first time. The 14-hour in-person course covers Champagne terroir, production methods, storage, service, and pairing recommendations, and includes guided tastings of 14 Champagnes. Globally recognized certification issued by Comité Champagne upon completion. Priced at €750 (incl. VAT). Requires completion of Comité Champagne Level 1-3 online courses as prerequisite. Targeted at sommeliers, wine educators, restaurateurs, importers, and hospitality professionals.
• Study Tools (Books and Guides) A collection of wine education books including Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0, Vine and Prejudice, The Art of Wine Storytelling, How to Get U.S. Market-Ready, Jumbo Shrimp Guide to Italian Wine, and Wine Democracy. Supplementary study materials sold directly to wine students and enthusiasts to support certification preparation.
• Study Smart Audio Series A podcast/audio learning series created in partnership with Italian Wine Podcast. The 30-episode 'Study Smart' series helps wine students prepare for WSET certification through audio content covering wine regions and exam strategies. Sold and distributed as a digital learning product for WSET Level 3 candidates.
• Gift Vouchers Gift vouchers available in denominations from €50 to €200, allowing purchasers to give any Italian Wine Academy wine education course as a gift. Redeemable against the academy's WSET and Champagne Specialist course offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students receive WSET certificates recognized worldwide as the Gold Standard of wine training
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Italian Wine PodcastcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 June 2026Partnership to launch 'Study Smart' - a 30-episode audio learning series on the Italian Wine Podcast designed to help wine students prepare for WSET Level 3 certification. The series is hosted by wine educator Gill Gordon-Smith.
• Comité ChampagnecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2025Italian Wine Academy hosts the prestigious Comité Champagne 'Champagne Specialist' course in Verona, Italy. This is the first time this course is being offered in Italy. The certification is issued by Comité Champagne upon successful completion.
• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian Wine Academy is an approved official provider of WSET wine education courses. WSET is a global leader in wine and spirits education offering the highest standard of instruction. The academy offers WSET Levels 1, 2, and 3 awards in wine.
• Vinitaly International AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian Wine Academy hosts WSET courses as part of Vinitaly International Academy's education initiatives at wine2digital, a space adjacent to Veronafiere.
• FerrowineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner venue hosting WSET Level 2 and Champagne Specialist courses in Castelfranco Veneto, Italy.
• IULM UniversitàminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity partnership hosting WSET Level 1 courses at their campus location.
• Bologna Business SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness school partnership hosting WSET Level 2 courses at their campus in Bologna.
• AIS FVG (Delegazione Udine)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional sommelier association (Associazione Italiana Sommelier) hosting WSET Level 2 courses in Udine, Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) - Approved Providers Network: WSET is the parent credentialing body whose approved-provider network Italian Wine Academy belongs to. Direct peer providers (e.g., other WSET-approved schools in Italy and globally) compete for the same pool of students seeking WSET certification, with overlapping curriculum and delivery model.
• Comité Champagne Schools Network: The Comité Champagne's global network of accredited schools offering the Champagne Specialist certification. Italian Wine Academy is the first Italian node in this network; peer schools in other countries compete for international wine professionals seeking the same credential.
• Court of Master Sommeliers (Europe): Premier global sommelier credentialing body offering Master Sommelier diploma pathways. Overlaps at the high-end professional certification tier where Italian Wine Academy's WSET Level 3 customers operate, though CMS targets a more elite hospitality niche.

Direct peers

• Vinitaly International Academy: Italian Wine Academy's stated partner; VIA offers Italian wine specialization certifications and Italian Wine Ambassador/Essential/Expert credentials. Highly comparable as both serve Italian wine education and share the Verona/Veronafiere ecosystem and target audience of trade professionals.
• Associazione Italiana Sommelier (AIS): Italy's primary sommelier association offering wine education and sommelier certification programs. AIS is a direct competitor for entry-level and professional wine credentials in Italy, and one of the Italian Wine Academy's own partners (AIS FVG) also hosts WSET courses — illustrating the overlapping market.
• OnWine / Wine & Spirit Education Trust Italia: Other WSET-approved providers in Italy offering the same WSET curriculum and certification pathway. They compete head-to-head for Italian-based students seeking WSET credentials, with similar course structures and pricing.
• Wine Scholar Guild: Specialized wine education provider offering country- and region-specific certifications, including Italian wine programs. Comparable as a specialty wine education brand targeting serious enthusiasts and trade professionals seeking structured, internationally recognized credentials.

Emerging players

• International Wine & Spirit Centre (IWSC) Academy: IWSC's education arm offers wine certification and training programs. Comparable in the broader wine-education category, though more UK-centric and broader in scope than the Italian Wine Academy's specialist Italian focus.
• Decanter Wine School: Decanter's wine education platform offering structured online courses and certifications. Comparable as a content-led wine education provider targeting international wine enthusiasts and trade, with a globally recognized media brand.

Others

• Italian Wine Podcast: Stated GTM/marketing partner producing the Study Smart audio series. Comparable as a wine-education content brand in the Italian wine space, with overlapping audience of professionals and enthusiasts; serves as both partner and adjacent content competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/italianwineacademy
• Xx.com/itawineacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/ItaWineAcademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ita-wine-academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Italian Wine Academy