The Napa Valley Wine Academy offers The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma and has announced that Edible Phoenix Editor and Publisher Shannan Metcalf- Perciballi has earned her diploma and is the first and only woman in Arizona to do so. Metcalf-Percballi began her pursuit of the prestigious diploma in 2019 as she had a deep interest for knowledge in wine studies.
“I was thrilled when I found out I am the only female to complete the accreditation here in Phoenix, but I know several local women that are currently in the program locally and I am cheering them on,” Metcalf-Perciballi said, adding of completing the program: “It has been a journey in personal resolve, for sure. Countless times I just stopped studying, wanting to quit—but there was a massive personal investment that I couldn’t walk away from.”
It is recommended that one give themself three years to complete their studies to earn the diploma, but life gets in the way, and it took Metcalf-Perciballi four years to do so. The pandemic caused the course to go virtual and in 2021 an early diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma and her family life almost derailed her plans. She credits her family, Sunday morning study group sessions and global participants to help her finish her studies.
In Arizona she is only one of four who have earned the diploma that offers a full spectrum of insight and education about decisions in the vineyard, the important details of the wine production process and the business side of the wine industry. The accreditation of the diploma is a springboard for continuing education making Metcalf-Perciballi eligible to apply for the Institute of Masters Wine Program. With her position at Edible Phoenix, the diploma has given her the confidence to write about wine and beverage related articles and looks forward to sharing what she’s learned.