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Discover Italy—One Grape at a Time
Italian Grape Geek is a serious Italian wine certification with a playful name. This two-part program takes you far beyond the familiar regions and varieties, introducing you to the remarkable diversity of Italy’s native grapes, the places where they grow, and the wines, foods, and traditions they have shaped.
Whether you work in wine, teach it, sell it, collect it, or simply love drinking it, this is your opportunity to explore Italy in depth—and have a great deal of fun along the way.
Study Whenever—and Wherever—You Like
Complete Italian Grape Geek Levels 1 and 2 at your own pace through the Commonwealth Wine School online learning platform.
You can study from your computer or use the Commonwealth Wine School app to learn on the go. Although the course is self-paced, you will not be studying alone: you will also have access to a community of fellow students and Italian wine scholars where you can ask questions, exchange ideas, and share discoveries.
A Grand Tasting Tour of Italy
On Saturday, March 20, 2027, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, we will bring everything you have learned to life with a full day devoted to tasting Italy.
Together, we will taste more than 25 wines from across the country, comparing native grapes, regional styles, landscapes, and traditions one glass at a time.
Think of it as a whirlwind wine tour of Italy without the jet lag. You will revisit the varieties from your online studies, discover how they express themselves in the glass, compare wines side by side, and share the experience with a room full of fellow Italian wine lovers.
The day will be immersive, social, educational—and genuinely fun.
Earn Your Italian Grape Geek Certification
The certification exam will take place the following morning, Sunday, March 21, 2027, at 10:00 AM.
Successful graduates will earn the Italian Grape Geek certification and become eligible to enroll in the prestigious Vinitaly International Academy, the preeminent advanced certification program devoted to Italian wine.
Graduates will also receive access to deeply discounted educational wine trips in Italy through the Italian Wine Academy, creating opportunities to experience Italy’s vineyards, winemakers, food, and culture firsthand.
What Your Course Includes
Italian Grape Geek Levels 1 and 2 in one complete program
Flexible, self-paced online study
Access through the Commonwealth Wine School app
An in-depth exploration of Italy’s native grapes, regions, wines, gastronomy, and culture
Access to a community of fellow students and Italian wine scholars
A full-day guided tasting of more than 25 Italian wines
The Italian Grape Geek certification examination
Eligibility, upon successful completion, to enroll in Vinitaly International Academy
Access for graduates to deeply discounted Italian wine trips through the Italian Wine Academy
Required Textbooks
Students must purchase the following required textbooks separately through Amazon:
Level 1: My Italian Grape Geek Journal
Level 2: Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0
Textbooks are not included in the course tuition.
Founding Cohort Tuition
$695
This special launch price is available for the inaugural Commonwealth Wine School cohort. Future tuition will be $895.
A minimum of five students is required for the course to run.
Self-Paced Online Study: Italian Grape Geek Levels 1 & 2 - Materials available December 1, 2026.
Italian Grand Tasting Day: Saturday, March 20, 2027, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Certification Exam: Sunday, March 21, 2027, at 10:00 AM at Commonwealth Wine School in Cambridge, MA