WSET LEVEL 3 ELEVATE AWARD APPLICATION - 2025
Please be sure to review our Application Guidelines before applying. All applicants must be 21 years of age or older, demonstrate a commitment to inclusion and alignment with Wine Unify's mission to fostering a racially diverse and inclusive wine industry, and reside within the United States. Please note that you will need a copy of your professional letter of reference to upload as part of this application. We strongly encourage applicants to hold the WSET Level 2 Certification prior to this application.
General Information
Please complete all forms below. All fields are required. You may save your work and continue later using the button at the end of the form, but we STRONGLY recommend that you save your answers in a separate document just in case of computer errors.
Your Name
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Please confirm that you are over the age of 21.
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Yes, I am 21 or older.
Email Address
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example@example.com
Phone Number
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Address
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Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Has the lack of any of the following affected your ability to pursue formal wine education? (Please check all that apply.)
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Funding for wine education
Access to wine education
Encouragement to pursue wine education
Knowledge that formal wine education exists
Other (if checked, please decribe below)
If other, please briefly explain.
You are applying for an Elevate Award - Level 3 WSET.
You will have the choice of where you take your WSET Level 3 Certification. All payments for education will be made to the institution administering the coursework. Your coursework will need to START between the dates of February 2026 and March 2026.
Please list the name of the wine school where you intend to take your WSET Level 3 course. If you do not have a specific school in mind, we will refer you to the Napa Valley Wine Academy's online course options. You may find locations in the United States by visiting: https://www.wsetglobal.com/where-to-study?location=Americas%20&%20Caribbean.
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Will you take your course online or in person?
Online
In person
Please list the city of the school. (Please type N/A if you intend for us to connect you with Napa Valley Wine Academy.)
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Please list the cost of the WSET Level 3 course you intend to take. (Please type N/A if you intend for us to connect you with the Napa Valley Wine Academy.)
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Please provide a contact name and phone number for the school. (Please type N/A if you intend for us to connect you with Napa Valley Wine Academy.)
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Please tell us the date you will start your WSET Level 3 course. Please note that you must START your course between the dates of February 2026 and March 2026. Applicants who wish to start later than March 2026 are encouraged to apply next year.
In 500 words or less, please describe how you plan to utilize any wine education you receive from Wine Unify's Awards or otherwise.
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In 500 words or less, please describe your professional goals in the wine industry over the next ten years.
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Please list any other wine certifications that you currently hold. While it is not required, we do encourage applicants to hold the WSET Level 2 prior to taking the WSET Level 3. Depending on where you decide to take your course, it may be a requirement, so you MUST check prior to applying.
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Work Experience & Professional Reference
Wine Unify's Elevate Awards are reserved for those who currently work in the wine industry (or who have worked in the wine industry within the past year). We also require a letter of recommendation from a professional reference within the wine industry.
Do you currently work in the wine industry?
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Yes
No
How many years have you worked in the wine industry?
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If you are not currently working in the wine industry, please briefly explain why. Please note that Elevate Awards are reserved for those who work in the industry, but this does NOT exclude those who are in between jobs in the industry.
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Detailed Work Experience
Please answer the questions below about your work in the wine industry. We ask you to enter this information rather than upload a CV so your application remains anonymous.
Name of Current Employer
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Current Position
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Time in Current Position (Months or Years)
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Briefly describe your job responsibilities.
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Please briefly summarize your work history prior to your current position in the wine industry. This does not have to be exhaustive; we are looking for a overview of your work and what has led to your desire to further your work in wine and gain wine education certifications.
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Commitment to Inclusion & Alignment with Wine Unify's Mission
Wine Unify is committed to fostering a more racially diverse and inclusive wine industry. Please answer the following questions as they pertain to your relationship with this cause.
In 500 words or less, please discuss how Wine Unify's commitment to foster a more racially diverse and inclusive environment speaks to you personally.
In 500 words or less, please share your thoughts on why increasing the diversity and inclusion of the wine industry is essential to ensuring a sustainable industry for all. Please also describe what changes may be necessary to achieve a more diverse and inclusive wine industry, and describe how a more diverse and inclusive industry would look and feel different from today. Finally, please explain the ways you will personally contribute to this mission.
Professional Reference
Please complete all forms listed below.
Reference Name
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First Name
Last Name
Reference Email
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example@example.com
Reference Phone
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Please enter a valid phone number.
Please briefly describe your professional reference, including their current role and your relationship to them.
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Please upload a letter of recommendation from a professional reference in the wine industry.
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Consents
The following must be completed in order for this application to be considered.
Commitment to complete coursework. We want these awards to go to individuals who will make a personal commitment to complete the coursework and fully apply themselves for success. Please acknowledge below that should you be awarded one of our awards, you will commit to completing your coursework and take the examination.
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Yes
Commitment to respectfully engage in mentorship. We have a strong team of committed mentors who donate their time for your success. Intentional and respectful communication and response is expected of all recipients. Please acknowledge below an understanding of the mentorship piece of this award.
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Yes
Course Dates and Wine School Selection. For WSET Level 3, we understand that applicants may want to continue taking courses at a particular school with supportive instructors that they know in their area. We encourage this and will pay the wine school for your tuition if you are selected. If you do not have a school in mind, we will match you with Napa Valley Wine Academy, who is one of our main supporters. You must commit to BEGINNING your coursework by March 2026 (but not before January 2026).
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Yes, I understand the above.
Intention to take the exam within 3 months of coursework completion. While the WSET allows students up to 12 months from the time of taking the course to take the final exam, we believe that the exam is best taken within three months of the start of your course. This will also allow us to maintain a productive, supportive relationship with you as a student. Please check below to indicate that you plan to take the exam within this timeframe.
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Yes.
Consent to Publish Your Name as a Recipient. Please check the box below to confirm that we may list your name on the website, social media, or in press releases naming you as a recipient of the Elevate Award.
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Yes.
Consent to Share Email with Mentors and other Elevate Recipients. Please confirm that we may share your email with the team at Wine Unify as well as other award recipients so that you may form support groups and study groups as needed.
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Yes.
Please check yes to confirm that you are not related to and/or that you do not work directly for any of the current Board of Directors.
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Yes.
Confirmation of Guidelines and Selection Criteria
By signing yes below, you confirm that you have reviewed our guidelines prior to applying for this award. You also are confirming that you understand that Wine Unify has a selection process for determining award recipients, including anonymous review of your application answers, evaluation of passion and desire to complete the awarded coursework, and a review of your letter of professional reference, among other determining factors. You understand that while many deserving candidates will apply, we are not able to offer an award to all who apply, and anticipate offering five Elevate Awards in 2025. We encourage you to continue on your wine journey whether you are selected as a recipient this year or not.
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