Press releases are not something we usually get too exited about at the NYCR desk, but in this case we are very pleased to to share the news that our own contributor, the very talented Amy Zavatto, will be taking the helm of the Long Island Merlot Alliance. As an eastern Long Island native, Amy is returning to her roots both literally and figuratively. We look forward to seeing her great energy and fine word-smithy directed at promoting wines that are a signatures for Long Island wine country.
LONG ISLAND MERLOT ALLIANCE KICKS OFF 10th ANNIVERSARY
AND WELCOMES ITS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AMY ZAVATTO
MATTITUCK, NY (March 1, 2015) – The Long Island Merlot Alliance (LIMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of top wine and spirits journalist Amy Zavatto as Executive Director. With 2015 marking the 10th anniversary of LIMA, Zavatto will lead the charge on a year-long campaign of merlot-centric celebrations, educational opportunities, and events, as well as the establishment of Long Island Merlot Month in November 2015.
Amy Zavatto is a Shelter Island native living in New York City. She is the published author of The Renaissance Guide to Wine and Food Pairing (Penguin), The Architecture of the Cocktail, and the soon to be released Wild Cocktails (Harper UK/Race Point).
Zavatto has championed the cause of New York wine—and, in particular, Long Island wine—for the last decade, heralding articles inDetails, Martha Stewart Weddings, New York Magazine, Imbibe, the Edibles, Foxnews.com, and other publications.
Amy is committed to working closely with LIMA members to advance their mission promoting the unique wines of the Long Island appellation, and educating consumers, trade, and media worldwide on Long Island merlot’s high-quality, range, and aging potential.
“I am thrilled to be working with such a talented, passionate group of winemakers and proud to promote their wines and the wines of my home region,” says Zavatto.
Among her other wine endeavors, Amy is a candidate for the Diploma from the London-based Wine and Spirits Education Trust and a judge in the state’s largest wine competition created by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, the annual New York Wine & Food Classic in Watkins Glen, NY.
“I have known and worked with Amy for a long time, and with her I believe we have found a true advocate for the region; someone who understands not only our AVA, but a person who can help us to take the Alliance to the next level,” said Roman Roth, President of LIMA and partner/winemaker, Wölffer Estate Vineyard in the Hamptons. “Amy has the unique perspective of not only logging more than a decade as a dedicated wine journalist, but one who literally grew up alongside the vines of eastern Long Island. Her perspective, knowledge, and relationships will be invaluable to us.”
Her focus will be a two-pronged effort to promote merlot and merlot-based blends from the Long Island AVA, as well as educate both consumers and the trade on the grape’s expression and high quality from the entry-level to premium categories gleaned from the particular terroir and climate of eastern Long Island.
“Among many of the great grape varietals grown in New York State, Long Island’s unique climate and terroir lends itself particularly to being one of the premier places in the world to grow merlot, which consistently produces naturally balanced and structured wines with natural acidity, ripe tannins, and balanced fruit and alcohol,” says LIMA Vice President Anthony Nappa, winemaker for Raphael.
Zavatto is also enthusiastic to form alliances with other wine groups in the region, as well as work with the current administration in Albany to bring more attention and focus to New York wine. In addition, she will oversee the promotion Merliance wine; the only cooperative wine made on Long Island, representing eight leading producers covering both the North and South Forks.
ABOUT US:
The Long Island Merlot Alliance (LIMA) is a trade organization which strives to educate media, consumers, and trade on the quality of merlot and merlot-based blends produced in Long Island, N.Y. Participating wineries include Clovis Point, Lieb Cellars, Martha Clara Vineyards, McCall Wines, Raphael, Sherwood House Vineyards, T’Jara Vineyards, and Wolffer Estate Vineyard.
The group collectively produces a blend of their best merlot lots each year, culminating in the annual release of Merliance wine, a blend of merlot from each LIMA-member winery, which hail from Long Island’s North Fork and the Hamptons American Viticultural Areas. The sale of Merliance wine funds the activities of the LIMA, from research initiatives to education and events.
For more information, please contact Amy Zavatto, amyz@longislandmerlot.com, (917) 836-1427.
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