Wine Business Management Certificate

About The Program


This program is offered entirely online. To find out if you're ready for online learning please see "Are You Ready For Online Learning?". Also, because it is online, it requires some actions to be taken before the class begins. To find out what they are go to "What To Do Before Your Online Class."

  • Foundation Level $590 for each 4 week session
    • Spring 2013: 2 offerings, 4 weeks each:
        Monday February 11 - Friday, March 8;
        Monday April 8 - Friday, May 3;
    • Summer 2013: Monday, June 3 - Friday, June 28;
    • Fall 2013: 4 weeks; Monday September 9 - Friday, October 4;

  • Intermediate Level
    • Fall 2013: 8 weeks October 14 - Friday, December 6; $960

  • Advanced Level Spring 2013
    Strategic Wine Marketing: January 21-March 15 $960
    Production & Quality in Wine Supply Chain: April 1-May 24 $960

  • Certification Exam
    Available: June 3rd - 16th with final submission by 11:50pm on June 16th, $80

Advance Your Wine Business Knowledge

Advance your career. In an ever-changing market, having an advanced understanding of the business of wine is essential. Inspired by the Sonoma State University Wine Business MBA, the Wine Business Management Certificate allows participants to strengthen their knowledge of wine business fundamentals, marketing and finance in an online format accessible in every corner of the world.

Created By Professionals For Professionals

The academically developed levels, taught by wine business experts, were carefully crafted for business professionals seeking advanced knowledge of wine business operations. Whether you're a current wine industry professional, a business professional wanting to enter the wine industry or a winemaker or viticulturist, or simply interested in learning about the business of wine, the Wine Business Management Certificate is right for you.

Topics That Matter

The Wine Business Management Certificate is made up of three levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. Each level builds upon the next and is designed to challenge participants while creating a superior understanding of wine business operations.

Areas Of Focus Include:

  • Business issues associated with viticulture and winemaking
  • Traditional business functions of strategy in building a wine business
  • E-commerce
  • Supply chain management
  • Wine commerce and trade including 3-tier distribution and Direct to Consumer
  • Wine marketing and sales
  • Cost analysis, quality management and value creation
  • Optional certification at the successful completion of the Advanced Level

Additional Information

The Wine Business Management Certificate is awarded after successfully passing all three levels and passing the optional certification exam. The final certification exam is only available to those who have successfully completed all three levels of the program.

At the conclusion of the second and final advanced level course, students will have a period for review before entering the exam period. The exam period encompasses two weeks, during which students will have one opportunity to log in and take the exam during a single, timed session. Extensions beyond the exam period will not be granted. Students will be notified of their results within 10 days of the conclusion of the exam period.

Participants may elect to complete the online levels for professional development and not take the certification exam. Documentation of course completion will be provided.

For those seeking admission to Sonoma State University's accredited MBA in Wine Business, successfully completing the Advanced Level of the Wine Business Management Certificate waives the wine industry experience admission requirement. This will enable professionals in other fields to access to the Wine MBA program more readily. Two years of professional work experience in any industry is also required along with meeting the other basic admission criterion.

Apply Now

Class sizes are limited.

Wine Business Institute
Phone: 1.707.664.3347
Email: winebiz@sonoma.edu