The Long Island Merlot Alliance has elected Martha Clara Vineyards winemaker and general manager Juan Micieli-Martinez as its new president.
Micieli-Martinez will replace outgoing president and current Wölffer Estate Vineyard winemaker Roman Roth, who is now the president of the Long Island Wine Council.
The Martha Clara winemaker and Long Island native has a strong passion for the merlot grape, as well as 17 years of experience in the Long Island wine industry.
“Being in the industry as long as I have, it’s exciting to have a role where I really have a chance to help the organization and industry progress,” he said.
“Juan has such energy and is an incredibly steadfast and smart person, not to mention a talented winemaker and great visionary,” said LIMA Executive Director Amy Zavatto. “I am so excited at what we’re going to accomplish this year.”
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The Long Island Merlot Alliance also announced the establishment of the LIMA East End Viticulture/Enology Scholarship Fund and Internship Program. The $3,500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a Suffolk County student between 18 and 24, who is pursuing the study of viticulture and enology at Cornell University.
There will be a silent-auction fundraiser for the scholarship during LIMA’s Merliance (a red blend made from the wines of the organization’s member wineries) launch dinner on Sunday, April 24 at Wolffer Kitchen in Sag Harbor.
