Bobby Lee Lawrence was renowned for his writing and teaching on fine wine. An accredited wine expert, Lawrence trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and the Culinary Institute of America. Through his distinguished career as Head of Engineering at NBC News, Lawrence traveled the world, building his knowledge of fine wines-and his formidable wine cellars. However, Lawrence's true passion was for sharing his knowledge. He wrote a wine column for the Southwest food magazine, ¡Sabroso!, presented and taught courses at local and regional wine festivals, and was celebrated for his blog "Southwest Wine Guy."

Lawrence served as the ambassador for "all things wine" to the people of the Southwest. A true, gourmet, Lawrence believed everyone should have access to fine wine and cuisine and gain the knowledge to enjoy them. With his untimely passing in May 2010, his widow Marion Lawrence has given a transformational gift to New Mexico State University's School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management in his memory, establishing the Bobby Lee Lawrence Academy of Wine.