Do You Need a Wine Certification? Local Industry Perspectives

Wine certifications—are they a must-have, a nice-to-have, or just one path among many in the world of wine? This week on Pour Temecula, we dive into that question with two local industry voices who’ve taken very different but equally passionate routes. Heather Rankin, better known as HB, is a seasoned tasting room pro at Danza del Sol Winery who pursued her studies to deepen her understanding and better serve guests. Nate Rivera, co-owner of The Goat & Vine, Two Travelers Wine Bar, and Little Goat Bakery, shares how certification played a role in shaping his palate and building credibility across multiple businesses. We explore how these certifications—from WSET to CMS—have impacted their careers, the way they talk about wine, and even the way they drink it. Whether you're considering your first wine course or just curious about what all the acronyms mean, this episode shines a light on the personal motivations behind professional wine education. And stay tuned—next week we continue the conversation with Stephanie Staab, a longtime industry veteran and wine instructor at Mount San Jacinto College, for a deeper look at wine education in the classroom. We’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s your favorite winery, a memorable story, a question, or let us know what topics you’d like us to cover — leave us a voice message on Speakpipe, and you might hear yourself on a future episode! Contact us on Instagram (@pourtemecula) or send us a message ([email protected])—we're always excited to connect with fellow wine, beer, and beverage lovers!