Although each member of the Long Island Merlot Alliance tends their vines somewhat differently, all are committed to the goal of “Sustainable Viticulture.”

Simply put, this means using practices that have the lowest environmental impact, that maintain or improve soil health, and that help growers to be good stewards of the land. The first part of a sustainable effort is choosing a variety that is suitable to the soils and climate of the region and merlot is especially well matched to Long Island. The sandy subsoil provides excellent drainage, while the fertile topsoil and moderate vigor characteristics of merlot correspond perfectly. The maritime influence on climate cannot be overstated. The relatively cool growing season, together with the long Fall, allow the grapes to ripen at a measured pace that makes Long Island Merlot wines so nuanced and complex. Shortly after the merlot grape harvest in late October, frost arrives, fulfilling the old adage - “the best wines are made from grapes grown at the limit of their season.”

There is a variety of vine spacing among the vineyards, but all are trained on a Vertically Shoot Positioned (VSP) trellis. This training system takes advantage of the vine’s natural tendency to climb, while allowing the leaves and fruit to be exposed to the sun and wind, thereby reducing disease and encouraging full ripeness. VSP training produces a “fruit zone” where the clusters are concentrated. Since merlot will often overbear, (or set more fruit that can be fully ripened) this allows our vineyard managers to thin the crop easily as well as facilitate other efforts at improving fruit quality. Shoot thinning, hedging, and pulling leaves from the fruit zone, are all common practices and increase sunlight and air penetration. This in turn can decrease the incidence of fungal diseases and rot. By managing the canopy to take advantage of these natural fungus fighters a healthy grapevine is achieved with a minimum of outside inputs.

Members of the Alliance tour each other’s vineyards on a rotating basis throughout the year, exchanging observations and ideas. This free exchange of knowledge and technique is at the heart of the Alliance’s commitment to producing the highest quality merlot possible.