When Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing, Pa. captured the Governor’s Cup for Best of Show/Fruit – and a Gold award – at the recent Pennsylvania Farm Show Commercial Wine Competition, it was the perfect way to launch 2013, the year the winery will celebrate its 10^th birthday, and was an especially sweet win for vintner and co-owner Tom Carroll Jr.

The wine that took top honors, “Wild Berry,” was the first Carroll produced for commercial distribution and the vintage that “kick-started” the company he founded with his parents, Christine and Tom Carroll Sr.

“This is a huge honor,” said Carroll, “winning the highest award as we approach our 10^th anniversary and for the wine I first made when we launched the concept.” Carroll said the wine got its name because, when his dad tasted the batch first created in their garage, he said, “Hey, that’s wild.”

The wine has been one of Crossing’s best sellers and has earned at least eight other medals in regional, national and international competitions. Carroll said he knew it would be a hit when, shortly after the winery opened, he took it to an area music and wine festival for sampling and for sale. After people sampled it, they bought it and at the end of the night, he said, he saw empty bottles on nearly every picnic table and in the recycling bins. “We were the new guy on the block and everyone loved the berry.”

Carroll said the Farm Show win was “the Universe’s way of giving me a pat on the back.” After 10 years, the vineyard and winery, situated on a historic property at 1853 Wrightstown Road, are going strong “having survived the roughest economy since the Great Depression.” That’s due, he said, to Crossing’s “local support” and “loyal customers.”

 And although Carroll’s wines have won more than 160 awards in competitions around the globe, it’s not the medals that keep him going. “It’s pleasing our customers,” he said, “Our customers share the dream…they believe in us.”

To honor those customers, the Carroll family is planning a “big bash” to celebrate the winery’s anniversary in October. “It’s a pretty big milestone,” Carroll said.

For updates on the anniversary celebration and for additional information about Crossing Vineyards and Winery, visit www.crossingvineyards.com or call 215-493-6500.