McCall Vineyard Joins the Long Island Merlot Alliance

CUTCHOGUE, NY - June 17, 2009 - McCall Vineyard and the Long Island Merlot Alliance jointly announce that the vineyard has become a member of the Alliance.

McCall Vineyard, owned by Russell McCall, who started the vineyard with the help of Stephen Mudd 13 years ago, has long been regarded as a source of high-quality fruit for other Long Island wineries. “We will soon release our first vintage - 2007 - of our own McCall Vineyard merlot and wanted to underscore it with a strong statement about our commitment to quality,” said Mr. McCall. “Like the other members of the Merlot Alliance, we believe merlot defines and strengthens the red wines of our region. Aligning with an organization that’s producing research to support and improve the quality of our elegant, food - friendly merlot is important to us.”

McCall Vineyard will contribute two barrels of its 2007 vintage merlot to the production of Merliance, the Long Island Merlot Alliance’s cooperative blend of member-wineries’ merlot. With today’s addition of McCall Vineyard, the Long Island Merlot Alliance includes six quality wine producers: Clovis Point, Pellegrini, Raphael, Sherwood House and Wölffer Estate. Merliance can be purchased through the tasting rooms, wine clubs and websites of each member winery; proceeds support the research, promotion and quality initiatives of the Alliance.

About McCall Vineyard

In 1996 Russell McCall planted McCall Vineyard with three clones that were chosen for the site after extensive soil studies. The vineyard was farmed for the first 10 years by Stephen Mudd, and all fruit harvested was sold to other New York state wineries. Starting with the 2007 vintage, the vineyard was managed by Ben Sisson. The grapes were partially sold and, for the first time, wine was made for the McCall family by Gilles Martin at Premium Wine Group. Today, Charles Flatt manages the vineyard, which, in addition to merlot, represents the largest pinot noir planting on Long Island.