The Cornell Alumni Association is pleased to introduce the 2018 Cornell Alumni Wine collection. This inaugural collection originated at the request of alumni wine lovers, like you. It's the start of a new tradition that we hope will grow and flourish in years ahead, so raise a glass to Cornell!
The current program has sold out. Email us (alumniaffairs@cornell.edu) with your contact information if you’d like to hear about future releases.
John Dyson — Owner
John Graziano — Winemaker
Combining over thirty years of award-winning wine making, an exceptional passion for Cornell, and the finest of New York State terroir in a bottle, the 2018 Cornell Alumni Wines are from Millbrook Vineyards & Winery. Founded in 1982 by John S. Dyson '65, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery's 35 acres of vines include plantings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, and an Italian grape varietal called Tocai Friulano.
John Dyson's interest in wine goes back to his days at Cornell when, never keen on beer, he bought a jug of wine to impress a date at his fraternity's party. This led to his enrollment in Cornell's renowned wine course. John went on to become a pioneer in the global wine industry, an innovator in site-specific planting, and a leader in extensive vineyard research.
Also a Cornellian, John Graziano '81, is the Vice President and Winemaker at Millbrook. The winery has earned recognition for Graziano's wines in consumer and industry publications such as Wine Spectator, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Encyclopedia of Wine, Kevin Zraly's Windows on the World-Complete Wine Course, and Bon Appetit.
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, guided by General Manager and Cornell Parent David Bova, P'12, was the first vineyard in the Hudson River Region of New York State dedicated exclusively to the production of vinifera grapes, with founding principles of viticulture, innovation, and experimentation, as well as excellence in winemaking. Called "the Hudson Valley's flagship winery" by The New York Times, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery ranked as "Best Winery" in the Hudson Valley for the last 20 consecutive years.
Robert J. "Jack" Lambert, Jr., (1928-2014) was both a Cornell alumnus from the Class of 1950 and a Cornell professor of freehand drawing. Jack spent a half-century documenting the world around him throughout Tompkins County and beyond. His artwork was exhibited in numerous galleries, museums, and juried shows throughout his lifetime. Alumna Sarah Lambert '85, Jack's daughter and executor of his estate, has graciously granted permission for Lambert's elegant watercolor image featuring Cornell's iconic McGraw Tower to grace the label of the 2018 Cornell Alumni Wine collection.
