Myron S. Nightingale was a leading California winemaker for over four decades and was a former president of the American Society of Enology & Viticulture. Nightingale had served as winemaker emeritus at Beringer (now known as Foster's Wine Estates) since 1983. Beringer and Foster's still produce the Nightingale dessert wine that carry his name.
In 1983, he was awared the President's Award by the Los Angeles County Fair, only the second recipient in the Fair's then 56 year history. Nightingale passed away in 1988 at age 73.
The Mondavi Research Fund began as a retrospective tasting of Cabernet Sauvignons of the Charles Krug Winery and Robert Mondavi Winery, which was held on Thursday, June 13, 1985 at the Vineyard Room of the Robert Mondavi Winery at Oakville. The tasting was to honor the meritorious contributions made by Cesare, Robert, and Peter Mondavi to the California Wine Industry during their years together at Charles Krug and the years that followed. It was also at this event that they introduced the joint venture, Opus One, with Baron Philippe de Rothschild.
Dr. Michael Mullins served as Department Chair from 1987 until his death from cancer in 1990. A native of England, Dr. Mullins came to UC Davis in 1987 to accept the position as Chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology from University of Sydney, Australia, where he served as the Foundation Professor of Horticulture and ad Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. While at Davis, he held the Maynard A. Amerine endowed chair.
Michael Bonaccorsi was sommelier at Spago Restaurant in Beverly Hills and became the twentieth American to be awarded the Master Sommelier Diploma. The New York Times called him "possibly the best young sommelier in America." In 1999, Micheal and wife Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi formed the Bonaccorsi Wine Company. Michael died unexpectedly in January of 2004 at the age of 43. He was survived by his wife Jenne Lee, parents--Ralph and Lois, and 11 brothers and sisters.
Marvin Sands Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology, Department of Viticulture and Enology Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
The Marvin Sands endowment was created by Constellation Brands, Inc. (formerly Canandaigua Brands), to honor their late chairman and company founder, Marvin Sands. The pledge was made by the company and his many friends in industry. It seemed only natural for the Canandaigua/Constellation Brands management to recognize the value of leadership and administrative abilities by endowing the department chair position.
Mario Tribuno was a pioneer in the vermouth industry in America. He was instrumental in establishing Vermouth Industries of America.
The original intent of this scholarship was to support the studies of an undergraduate or graduate student interested in the vermouth industry. The intent has been broadened to support research on grape and wine aroma and flavors as affected by vineyard or winery treatments.
Dr. Lynn Williams served on the the V&E Faculty from 1979 until his death from leukemia in 1983. The scholarship began thanks to this mother, Mrs. Leta Williams and the family and friends saddened by a life that ended too soon. Williams was devoted to teaching and research and specialized in the production of ethanol from agricultural products for an alternative fuel source and also explored the technology of brandy distillation.
Louis Gomberg proudly managed five careers over his lifetime: concert pianist, newspaper reporter, lawyer, trade association executive, and wine industry consultant.
