Southampton - The Long Island Merlot Alliance (LIMA) has elected new officers for 2011, and announces an exciting line-up of activities and events for the year.

New Year - New Leaders

These four newly elected leaders assumed their responsibilities on January 1:

 • President - Russell (Russ) McCall, owner/proprietor of McCall Wines. As LIMA president, Russ will be the primary spokesperson for the organization, and will champion its research, marketing and growth initiatives.

 • Executive Vice President - Roman Roth, winemaker and technical director at Wölffer Estate Vineyard. As executive vice president, Roman will oversee LIMA's marketing efforts, and serve as event chair for HARVEST: Wine Auction and Celebration of Long Island's East End, the event LIMA organizes.

 • Treasurer - Hal Ginsburg, owner and the managing partner of Clovis Point. As LIMA treasurer, Hal will be responsible for managing all LIMA finances, including administering research grants as the group deems appropriate for the advancement of quality merlot.

 • Technical Advisor - Gilles Martin, consulting winemaker for Sherwood House Vineyards and McCall Wines. In this voluntary (not elected) role, Gilles will guide LIMA in achieving its research goals and maintain dialogue with research partners such as Cornell's Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center.

"The Merlot Alliance represents some of the most quality-minded producers on Long Island. I am honored to have been elected their president, and proud to serve alongside Roman, Hal and Gilles - three colleagues I greatly admire," said Russ McCall. McCall makes three red wines - merlot, pinot noir and a merlot-based blend, so advancing the efforts of the Merlot Alliance is important to my business. We are planning many new and continuing initiatives to advance our cause in 2011. I'm eager to get started!"

LIMA plans to launch or advance several initiatives in 2011, including:

 • Blind-tastings: These events, primarily for trade and media representatives, will showcase Long Island merlots and merlot-based blends alongside comparable examples from around the world. They will show our wines can hold their own in unbiased trials. The first will be held at City Winery in April.

 • Technical consultations: An international oenologist will consult with member-wineries regarding ways to make greater gains in quality through enhanced vineyard and winery management practices.

 • Merlot-harvest data: In twice-yearly, closed-door tastings, members will share detailed technical wine data with the goal of building a historical record of each harvest and its most successful practices. The 2010 vintage will set the benchmark for this forward-looking work.

 • HARVEST 2011: Now in its second year, LIMA plans to expand on the success of this fundraiser, featuring the only auction of all Long Island wines and a barrel-tasting of the stellar 2010 vintage this year.

"It will be a busy year for the organization - one that stands to bring breakthroughs in the regard for our region and for Long Island merlot," said Donnell Brown, LIMA's executive director. "Our new leaders bring so much experience and enthusiasm to their roles. Their influence will guide all that we do to new and greater heights."

About Long Island Merlot Alliance
Founded in 2005, the Long Island Merlot Alliance (LIMA) joins premium wine estates committed to advancing the quality of and regard for Long Island merlot. Because it grows reliably well here, enriches most blended red wines of the region and consistently produces an elegant, classically styled single-varietal wine, the Alliance seeks recognition for merlot as the signature grape of the region, and for Long Island as the New World's leading appellation for merlot. LIMA members believe that, in the tradition of other great wine regions, emphasizing excellence in merlot does not diminish regard for other wines, but will help to elevate Long Island as a quality wine region.

For more information go to www.longislandmerlot.com.