Program expands access to advanced California wine study worldwide as Capstone earns international recognition for its educational and cultural mission
September 15, 2026 (Sacramento, CA) — California Wines today announced the final rollout of Capstone California Level 4, the most advanced tier of its globally recognized wine education program. The four-level certification pathway, spanning introductory study through expert-level authority, establishes the program as the leading advanced qualification focused exclusively on California wine. Level 4 delivers original content through a multilingual, multimedia platform and requires approximately 100 hours of structured study and tastings.
Developed under the leadership of Bree Stock, MW, with advisement from Capstone’s architect and Lead Educator Evan Goldstein, MS, with an international team of leading wine educators, Capstone California Level 4 moves beyond foundational learning to examine California’s position within the global wine landscape today. It offers a rigorous credential for professionals seeking the highest recognized qualification for advanced expertise in California wine, and the first cohort to complete Level 4 will be recognized at a summit in Europe in spring 2027.
“With Level 4, Capstone California achieves a global benchmark for California wine knowledge,” said Honore Comfort, Vice President of International Marketing, Wine Institute. “Graduates join a community of experts, elevating the global dialogue on wine through deep regional insight. As a program, Capstone California continues to expand access to high-quality wine education supporting the future of the international wine sector.”
The Level 4 program blends structured learning with advanced tastings and hands-on programming, challenging candidates to integrate regional context, production decisions and market understanding of California Wine at an expert level. The curriculum includes interactive quizzes, AVA maps, simulations and video content, alongside webinars and interviews with California producers and winemakers.
Capstone California was named the Cultural Mission winner in the Education in Enotourism category of the Wine Travel Awards 2025–2026. Spanning 48 countries, the WTA initiative recognizes development, innovation and contributions to contemporary wine culture; Capstone was honored for connecting structured education with California’s history, geography and winegrowing culture, and for contributing to a global community where the wine tourism industry exchanges ideas, builds connections and shares information
“Wine education has always been essential to the industry’s future because it gives people the context to understand not only what is in the glass, but the history, place and people behind it,” said Goldstein. “Capstone builds on Wine Institute’s longstanding educational mission by giving learners around the world a substantive, accessible pathway into the extraordinary diversity and continuing evolution of California wine.”
Capstone California Level 4 was introduced in Warsaw, Poland, during a gathering co-hosted with the Adam Pawłowski MS Wine Academy that brought together Capstone educators and alumni from across the program’s international network. To explore all four levels of study and enroll, visit CapstoneCalifornia.com.
About Capstone California
Developed by California Wines under the auspices of Wine Institute, Capstone California is a global, four-level certification program focused exclusively on California wine. The curriculum features original content, interactive AVA maps, webinars, and study resources created by Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and leading California wine experts. Successful students receive certificates and professional recognition at each level. CapstoneCalifornia.com
About Wine Institute’s California Wine Export Program
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the administrator of the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) for California vintners representing 80% of U.S. wine production and 95% of U.S. wine exports. More than 200 California wineries exporting to 142 countries participate in Wine Institute’s California Wine Export Program. The program has 15 California Wine Institute representatives in key export markets worldwide who provide on-site support to wineries and help develop markets for California wines in more than 30 countries.
The California Wine Export Program, a public-private partnership supported by winery contributions and the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP), features California as an environmental leader with distinctive wine regions, an ideal climate for growing world-class wines, an iconic lifestyle, and a culinary tradition rooted in locally grown products. In addition to marketing and promoting California wine overseas, Wine Institute conducts a comprehensive International Public Policy program focused on regulatory cooperation, removing trade barriers, and growing California wine exports. Visit calwinexport.com or the consumer website, DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com.
About Wine Institute
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of nearly 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses. It initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The organization works to enhance the economic and environmental health of the state through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing and by showcasing California’s wine regions as ideal destinations for food and wine travelers to the state. To learn more about California wines, visit DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com.
