Stephen Osborn

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Tell us about what you're doing with your life
I founded and now operate Stoutridge Distillery and Winery with my wife, Kim Wagner CALS '85. We make award-wining natural wines and spirits from NY-grown fruits and grains. In addition to great wines, brandies and whiskeys, we win international competitions for our absinthes, mastiha liqueurs and single malts! Yes, we are one of the crazy distillers that buys grain from local farmers and takes it all the way through to the bottle on site! We are one of eight distilleries in the US that does it's own floor malting and we are the only ones we know of with a traditional floor kiln. If you are in the area stop by for a tasting.

What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found most useful?
Plant physiology, but probably not for the reason you'd think. The professor smoked a pipe which contained some sort of tree bark and I am captured by such aromatics.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?
Reading in the 'Green Room' in the stacks at Uris Library and the walks to and from them.

How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?
It taught me not to be afraid to be eclectic or heretic!

Chip Tate formerly of Balcones Distillery in Waco TX made that for Stoutridge. It’s direct fired with an IR burner and as far as Steve and Kim know, they are the only ones making single malts with an IR direct heat still (and the only ones outside of Waco with a Chip Tate Still). If you zoom in on the top you will see it’s still #1 from Tate Craft Copperworks.

What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was most meaningful?
It sounds strange, but I really enjoyed rowing on the ergs indoors in winter.