2024 Awards of Distinction: Mary Kay Vrba Spirit Award

Date Published: October 18, 2024

 

Congratulations to Mary Kay Vrba Spirit Award honoree,
David Hudson Bova of Millbrook Vineyards and Winery!

 

The Mary Kay Vrba Spirit Award honors an individual who embodies the qualities Mary Kay Vrba, past President & CEO of Dutchess Tourism, represents including selflessness, service, inclusiveness and leadership. This year's honoree is David Hudson Bova, Vice President/General Manager and Co-Founder of Millbrook Vineyards and Winery in Millbrook! Join Dutchess Tourism in celebrating all the honorees at the 11th annual Dutchess Tourism Awards of Distinction on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at The Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum. Read more about the event here.
 

Mr. Bova is a Partner and acts as Vice President of Pebble Ridge Vineyards and Wine Estates, LLC., a California vineyard and winery-holding company that owns Millbrook Winery. Mr. Bova and PRVWE majority owner John S. Dyson founded Millbrook Vineyards and Winery in Mr. Dyson's Millbrook garage in 1983. Since then, Millbrook Winery has grown to an annual case production level of over 15,000 cases. Millbrook Vineyards has planted 35 acres of vinifera vines, including Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Tocai Friulano. At Millbrook Vineyards, Mr. Bova is responsible for overall vineyard and winery management. He graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1980, and attended Pace University in New York City for his Master of Business Administration. He married Margaret Ann Strohm of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, in 1986. They live in Millbrook and in Delray Beach, Fla., and have two married sons, Hudson and George. 

 

What about your business inspires you?

Creating a successful business from scratch is very rewarding. Having a new product (vintage) every year is very challenging and provides many interesting marketing opportunities. Marketing directly to consumers, a high-quality farm-to-table product, is very rewarding. I have a great team of employees who are loyal and share the same inspirations.

What are your hopes for the future of travel in Dutchess County?

I hope that Dutchess County continues to invest in innovative marketing to bring visitors into the area.  With its natural beauty, Dutchess is a draw to visitors from around the world.  We are lucky to have a farm-to-table business only 90 minutes from the largest metro area in the world.  We have a great local community that has supported Millbrook throughout our 40-year history. 
 

What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?

Be open-minded. Never stop learning. Be innovative and creative in your approach to an opportunity. Be a team player; you can't be truly successful all by yourself, it is more fun to share the success! Leaders lead - they don't just talk.  Customers and employees appreciate the hard work and effort.   
 

What advice would you give to someone entering or interested in the tourism industry?

Be realistic. Are you willing to give whatever it takes to be successful, including your time, money, and your weekends? If so, can you differentiate yourself from the rest of your competition? What value can you add to make the business successful?        

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