2025 Napa Valley Wine Academy WSET Scholarship Application

OVERVIEW

The Nashville Les Dames d'Escoffier has partnered with the Napa Valley Wine Academy to provide educational scholarships to women pursuing certifications through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in order to advance their careers in the fields of food, beverage, hospitality, and farming.

Scholarships will be awarded based on merit, need, and community service/volunteerism. Candidates may apply for one of the following certifications:

  • WSET Level 1 in Wines, Spirits, or Beer

  • WSET Level 2 in Wines, Spirits, or Beer

  • WSET Level 3 in Wines or Spirits

  • WSET Diploma in Wines

CRITERIA

Applicant must be a female or female identifying legal resident of Middle Tennessee.

Applicants must be currently working in, or be in the process of transitioning to, a career in the fields of food, beverage, hospitality, or farming.

Applicants for the WSET Diploma in Wines scholarship must provide proof of successful completion of WSET Level 3 in Wines, and conduct an in-person or virtual interview with the Les Dames Scholarship panel

COURSE DETAILS

WSET Level 1 and 2 in Wines courses will be held in-person in Nashville, while all other courses will be conducted online. WSET Level 3 in Wines exam must be taken in-person in Nashville. WSET Level 3 in Spirits exam must be taken in-person in Napa, California or Bardstown, Kentucky. Scholarship recipients will be directed to select course dates that best suit their schedules (see www.napavalleywineacademy.com for available 2025 course and exam dates).

The WSET Diploma in Wines consists of 6 units to be completed over 2-3 years, and includes 5 in-person exams in Napa, California. This scholarship is being funded by Dame Jess Helfand, DipWSET, with the support of the Napa Valley Wine Academy and includes tuition and an honorarium of $500 to assist in travel to Napa for exams. The recipient of this scholarship will begin the Diploma program in June or October 2025.

DEADLINES

Deadline to submit an application is February 28, 2025. Candidates for the WSET Diploma in Wines scholarship will be contacted by March 3, 2025 to schedule their interview.

Scholarship recipients will be notified by March 15, 2025.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that any blanks not completed, or filled in with N/A (Not Applicable), will render the application incomplete and thus ineligible for consideration.