Louisa Thomas Hargrave, one of the first to plant vineyards on Long Island, is now the first individual wine professional to be awarded honorary membership by the L.I.M.A. She and her ex-husband Alex Hargrave won many awards for their wines before selling the winery to Marco and Ann Marie Borghese of Castello di Borghese Vineyard and Winery in 1999.
“Louisa has done so much for the Long Island wine region and for the merlot varietal in the United States. She has always been an advocate for improving the quality of and regard for the varietal, and currently leads our research efforts into the taste and aroma profile of Long Island merlot,” said Rich Olsen-Harbich, winemaker at Raphael and a founding member of the Alliance . “We felt it was fitting to invite Louisa to join the Merlot Alliance, and we’re thrilled that she will now be an official member of our group.”
About the Long Island Merlot Alliance
Founded in 2005, the Long Island Merlot Alliance (LIMA) joins premium wine estates committed to developing quality standards in the production of classically styled merlot. The Alliance seeks recognition for merlot as the premier grape of Long Island, whether as a single varietal or in blends, and for Long Island as the leading appellation for merlot in the New World. Its members believe that, in the tradition of other great wine regions, emphasizing our excellence in one varietal does not diminish other wines from Long Island, but will help to gain attention for all varietals grown here.
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