The official announcement is coming later this week, but I've just learned that Clovis Point has decided to become the newest member of the Long Island Merlot Alliance (LIMA).
LIMA was formed in 2005 to develop quality standards in the production of classically-styled Long Island merlot and to establish Long Island as the leading region for merlot in the New World. To date, LIMA has been rather quite on the public scene, focusing on vineyard research and conducting tastings to identify the qualities that help define "typical" Long Island merlot.
The group, which includes Raphael, Pellegrini Vineyards, Sherwood House Vineyards, and Wolffer Estate Vineyard, also co-produces a 100% merlot wine each year, named Merliance.
I know that the group has been working to grow membership, but the going has been slow. Hopefully this is just the first of many new members.