As a student at New Paltz, Kevin Zraly studied elementary education on campus and found himself immersed in the wine industry off campus. At the age of 19, he worked as a waiter and bartender at a restaurant near the college; 20, was teaching wine in an adult education program at a local college; and at 21 hitchhiked to California to tour wineries from Santa Cruz to Mendocino. Upon his return as a junior, he taught a two credit wine course at SUNY New Paltz. Now an expert in the wine industry, he is a founder of the Windows on the World Wine School in Manhattan.

After graduating in 1974 from New Paltz, he lived in Europe studying wine and winemaking. Zraly then moved to New York City to start his career, and in 1976 was hired at the then-under-construction World Trade Center at the Windows on the World restaurant as wine director.

"I realized that New York City was the wine capital of the world and that I needed to be a part of it," said Zraly.

As wine director, Zraly established himself as a leader in the business. He became a member of the board of trustees at the Culinary Institute of America, was featured in major publications and published a book, "Windows on the World Complete Wine Course," with its 20th anniversary edition just released. It is the largest selling wine book with over two and a half million copies sold.

In 1993, after the first attack on the World Trade Center, the restaurant was forced to close its doors until June, 1996; however, Zraly relocated the wine school to various rooms in the World Trade Center and eventually the Marriott Hotel,.

After opening, Windows on the World became America's top-grossing restaurant. Soon, tragedy struck and on September 11, 2001, the restaurant was destroyed by the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and 72 of its employees were lost.

Kevin was fortunate that he wasn't in New York on September 11, but at his home in New Paltz. Today, he is vice president of Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and continues to run and teach at the wine school (which is now located at the Marriot Marquis in New York City), as well as raise money for the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund, which aids the Windows on the World families of 9/11 victims.

Awards:
European Council's Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)
James Beard Award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year Award
Food and Beverage Association's Man of the Year Award