Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing earned three medals at the inaugural Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition held recently in San Diego, including a “platinum” bestowed only on wines considered for “best of show.”

Judged by 11 sommeliers from some of the world’s top restaurants, Crossing’s entries were the only wines from Pennsylvania to earn medals. The recent wins bring to 82 the number of medals the winery has earned since it opened six years ago on a 200-year-old estate on Wrightstown Road in Bucks County.

More than 550 wines from nine countries were evaluated in the competition, held Sept. 26-27. Forty-nine made it to the final round of voting for “best of show” in five categories – “sparkling,” “red,” “white,” “rose,” and “dessert.” Those wines were then elevated from “gold” to “platinum.”

Crossing Vineyards’ Merlot 2006 earned the platinum medal; its Cabernet Franc 2006 earned a gold, and its Viognier 2007 captured a silver.

“Our sommeliers were open-minded and fair, bestowing platinum upon the least expensive as well as the most expensive wines entered,” organizers of the challenge said on its Web site.

Indeed, Crossing’s $32 Merlot was joined in its “platinum” status by a 2006 Margaux, Grand Cru Classe from Bordeaux priced at $100, according to Tom Carroll Jr., the winery’s co-owner and vintner. “Guess that makes our 2006 Merlot the best value in town," he quipped.

According to the competition rules, judges tasted all wines blind, but could ask for information about place of origin or grape varieties included in a blend. The producer, price and vintage was not disclosed until the close of the competition.

Judging the competition were: Adam Curling, M Resort, Las Vegas; Brian Donegan, Market, Del Mar, Calif.; Desi Echavarrie, Switch at the Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas; Jared Heber, BLT Steak, Los Angeles; Anani Lawson, The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.; Andre Mack, Mouton Noir Wines (formerly with Per Se, New York); Mark Mendoza, Sona, Los Angeles; Lisa Redwine, The Shores, La Jolla, Calif.; Jesse Rodriguez, Addison, Del Mar, Calif.; George Skorka, BottleRock, Los Angeles; and Megan Yelenosky, Vela, San Diego.

For additional information about Crossing Vineyards and Winery, visit www.crossingvineyards.com or call 215-493-6500.

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Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing earned three medals at the inaugural Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition held recently in San Diego, including a “platinum” bestowed only on wines considered for “best of show.”

Judged by 11 sommeliers from some of the world’s top restaurants, Crossing’s entries were the only wines from Pennsylvania to earn medals. The recent wins bring to 82 the number of medals the winery has earned since it opened six years ago on a 200-year-old estate on Wrightstown Road in Bucks County.

More than 550 wines from nine countries were evaluated in the competition, held Sept. 26-27. Forty-nine made it to the final round of voting for “best of show” in five categories – “sparkling,” “red,” “white,” “rose,” and “dessert.” Those wines were then elevated from “gold” to “platinum.”

Crossing Vineyards’ Merlot 2006 earned the platinum medal; its Cabernet Franc 2006 earned a gold, and its Viognier 2007 captured a silver.

“Our sommeliers were open-minded and fair, bestowing platinum upon the least expensive as well as the most expensive wines entered,” organizers of the challenge said on its Web site.

Indeed, Crossing’s $32 Merlot was joined in its “platinum” status by a 2006 Margaux, Grand Cru Classe from Bordeaux priced at $100, according to Tom Carroll Jr., the winery’s co-owner and vintner. “Guess that makes our 2006 Merlot the best value in town," he quipped.

According to the competition rules, judges tasted all wines blind, but could ask for information about place of origin or grape varieties included in a blend. The producer, price and vintage was not disclosed until the close of the competition.

Judging the competition were: Adam Curling, M Resort, Las Vegas; Brian Donegan, Market, Del Mar, Calif.; Desi Echavarrie, Switch at the Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas; Jared Heber, BLT Steak, Los Angeles; Anani Lawson, The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.; Andre Mack, Mouton Noir Wines (formerly with Per Se, New York); Mark Mendoza, Sona, Los Angeles; Lisa Redwine, The Shores, La Jolla, Calif.; Jesse Rodriguez, Addison, Del Mar, Calif.; George Skorka, BottleRock, Los Angeles; and Megan Yelenosky, Vela, San Diego.

For additional information about Crossing Vineyards and Winery, visit www.crossingvineyards.com or call 215-493-6500.

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