Certified Rioja Wine Educator - November 2025

Online course
Description

Description

Only available for people selected by the Regulatory Council of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin

Application deadline: 30th June 2025

Dates of study trip: 10th - 14th November 2025

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This course is an initiative to train specialised instructors on the wines of Rioja, guaranteeing their level of knowledge, the rigour of their training discourse, the ability to convey their passion for Rioja and above all the ability to educate trainees by delivering courses about Rioja face-to-face and online via training centres, wine schools and other educational platforms.

The course is divided into three phases:

Phase One: Online course. The accepted educators, having first passed through a selection process, will access online study modules and take a final exam that they have to complete successfully within a time limit. They will have to achieve a minimum score to continue to the next stage.
Phase Two: Trip to Rioja. A 5-day English language course in the Rioja region, in which they will get to know other trainees and take part in technical workshops, wine-tastings, visits to wineries and vineyards, etc. This course will take place from Monday 10th to Friday 14th November 2025. Students are expected to organize and fund their own transport to Logroño. The course includes accomodation, local transport in Rioja, and lunches during the visits.
Phase Three: Final Project. The trainees will have to send in a final written project on a topic that is set by the Control Board and thus demonstrate first-hand what they have learned throughout the training. The project must be completed by a submission deadline.

If you are someone involved in wine education and training, with at least two years’ experience, command of languages and keen to be a Rioja ambassador, you are the ideal candidate for this role. You will be asked to submit your CV, have proven experience and provide a cover letter.

Estimated duration of the online course: 30 hrs.

Assessment

A first selection process will be made based on the CV of the candidates, with a possible online interview in English.

Selected candidates will be required to take the online course within 4 weeks of being selected. During the online course, there will be a set of review questions at the end of each module relating to the content. To progress to the next modules, you will need to answer 100% of the questions correctly and you will have a limited number of attempts.

There will then be a final exam consisting of 30 questions, which you will have to answer within a time limit of 30 minutes. In order to be able to continue on with the second phase of the course, you must answer 75% of the questions correctly. You have a maximum of 2 attempts.

Requirements

Proven experience and active involvement in the wine industry for at least 2 years
Already involved in wine education, training or writing
Languages - strong command of English
WSET 3/4 or equivalent strongly recommended
Completed WSET educator training is a plus
Good communication skills
Strong commitment

Certified Rioja wine educators will make several commitments to be eligible for the renewal of the Rioja Wine Educator Certificate. More info here.

To apply, simply click the "Request Access" button at the top of the page. Questions about the program can be directed to academy@riojawine.com.

1

The Geography and Terroir of Rioja for Educators

The Geography and Terroir of Rioja for Educators
2

Rioja´s grape varieties and viticulture for Educators

This lesson introduces us into the land of Tempranillo and other varieties from Rioja, production and special characteristics. We also talk about phylloxera, which marks a before and after in the history of wine growing in Rioja.
3

Winemaking and maturation in Rioja for Educators

This lesson details the process in the winery which ensures that the wines of Rioja attain their maximum potentiality. Basically this lesson concentrates on the art of ageing wines and the categories that make the different wines of Rioja unique.
4

Rioja: Our name as assurance for Educators

Rioja is quality from the vineyard to the glass that you finally enjoy. This module explains how the first need arose to assure the origin of our wines and its history up to today’s quality control, which backs Rioja's reputation in the domestic and international markets.
5

The economy of the region, markets and marketing for Educators

This module delves into the marketing of Rioja wines, an area in which the Wine Region is the undisputed leader among Spanish wines.
6

Rioja: past, present and future for Educators

Rioja wines are covered by the oldest Designation of Origin in Spain. This lesson explains the historical evolution of its production structure, its viticulture and its wineries, as well as its Control Board, all of which have turned Rioja into a world reference.
7

Wine marketing for Educators

Marketing is considered to be the backbone of any business project, including wine. The following sections explain what marketing is and how it applies to wine business.
8

Tourism and gastronomy for Educators

Rioja is a wine born in a land whose people have made their culinary culture a sign of identity. This module presents those facets that make D.O.Ca. Rioja a unique place in the world.
9

Wine routes for Educators

The growth of wine tourism in Spain has grown dramatically in recent years, extending to almost all wine regions and especially in Rioja.
10

Wine tourism for Educators

Wine attracts a very large number of visitors who wish to travel the world and discover wine regions, the people who care for the land and make the wine and the surrounding landscapes.
11

Service of wine for Educators

In this module, we will try to clarify basic concepts about the service and handling of wine and its relation to food. By the end, we would like you to have an instrument to help you receive visitors at the winery, making your wine experience unique.
12

Wine tasting for Educators

We defend a simple tasting communication, which uses a universal language that allows us to reach the whole world and thus communicate effectively.
13

The elements of an excellent training session

In this module, we want to present the characteristics of the training and the key skills of a trainer in the wine sector. Training and education in general have changed a great deal and are no longer based on a lecture or master class in which student participation is of no importance. 21st century training is dynamic and tailored to the needs and expectations of the student, who should be the main focus of everything. Are you ready?
14

Rioja Wine Certified Educator Final Exam

Show everything you have learned by taking this 30-question exam. You will have 2 opportunities to answer 75% of the questions correctly. You have 30 minutes to answer them.