About the Capstone California Program
Since 1934, Wine Institute (WI) has been supporting California’s wineries and winemakers. This website, developed by California Wines under the auspices of Wine Institute, is an up-to-date information resource on California wine with contributions from many of the state’s 4,200 wineries along with an outside team of top industry professionals, educators, and authors. For consumers and professionals interested in a more structured learning experience, Capstone California offers four levels of study: Introductory; Intermediate; Advanced; and Expert/Ambassador. Upon completion of each level, successful students receive a certificate and other exciting benefits.
For wine professionals and consumers interested in a more structured learning experience, Capstone California offers four levels of study: Introductory; Intermediate; Advanced; and Expert/Ambassador. Upon completion of each level, successful students receive a certificate and other exciting benefits.
About Wine Institute
Wine Institute (WI), established in 1934, is the leading advocate for the California wine industry. Founded shortly after the repeal of Prohibition with just 42 members, WI is now an association of over 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses that initiate and advocate public policy.
Notable recent successes include: opening up most states for direct-to-consumer wine shipments, creating the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and growing California wine exports. Underlying all WI activities is the need to educate both the trade and the public at large. This website and companion certification program are part of that long-standing educational mission.
Our Capstone California Education Panel
The curriculum and study guides have been developed by the Capstone California Education Panel, a prestigious team of globally recognized experts including journalists, Masters of Wine (MW), Master Sommeliers (MS) and leading wine educators. The Education Panel is comprised of renowned authors with a deep familiarity of their subject, and top wine writers with their finger on the pulse of the industry, providing current and verified information on the California wine industry.