Between 1976 and 2001 , Zraly held the position of wine director for the Windows on the World restaurant , on the top floors of New York 's 1 WTC World Trade Center , America 's top-grossing restaurant . Zraly was hired by Joe Baum whilst a 25-year-old wine salesman and self-educated oenophile with a bachelor 's degree in education from State University of New York at New Paltz , and is since credited with introducing California wine to the American public , as well as helping to pioneer the use of progressive markup on wine in US restaurants . After the collapse of the World Trade Center in the September 11 attacks , the school relocated to the New York Marriott Marquis . Zraly 's book '' Windows on the World Complete Wine Course '' with its annual updates , is among America 's best-selling wine books selling over 3 million copies worldwide . '' Kevin Zraly 's American Wine Guide '' ( 2006 ) is the first book that deals comprehensively with all 50 states as modern wine-producing states . Kevin 's latest book , '' The Ultimate Wine Companion '' , was released in November 2010
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Kevin Zraly