Sunday, October 4, 2009

Ribbon-cutting at new building to kick off 6th anniversary celebration at Crossing Vineyards

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This is one where I'll post the release and then connect with the folks over at Crossing Vineyards & Winery in Washington Crossing, Pa., sometime over the next couple of days. This is a winery with as busy a calendar as any in the region, and while Christine Carroll always has been helpful to me whenever I have called, it's far enough away from where I live that I've yet to try any of their wines. On my list, for sure.

Anyway, happy sixth birthday, Crossing Vineyards. Here's the release, thanks to Rebecca Felton.
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A native American proverb says, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” The owners of Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing, Pa. not only believe this maxim, they’ve made it part of their business plan.

Crossing Vineyards will launch a weekend celebration of its 6th birthday at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 17 with a VIP ribbon-cutting and dedication of a new energy efficient building on the grounds of the winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road.

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State and local lawmakers, as well as representatives from Pennsylvania’s departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection, and Community and Economic Development have been invited to help unveil the latest of Crossing’s “green” initiatives.


From the beginning, Crossing’s owners - Tom and Christine Carroll and their son, Tom. Jr. – sought to preserve as open space a 20-acre parcel in Upper Makefield Township surrounded by development. The vineyards and winery are located on a property listed on the Bucks County registry of historic places. Since the first vines were planted, the Carrolls have employed sustainable agricultural methods and, in 2007, they installed a solar system on the roof of the winery.


The new, 3,000-foot utility building features a high-efficiency geothermal heating and cooling system and is designed to accommodate the future installation of solar panels. It also includes a water recharging well that collects and recycles groundwater instead of allowing erosive runoff.

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In addition to the geothermal heating system, Crossing also has installed energy efficient lighting, including timers and sensors. The lights are working only when the building is in use, therefore avoiding waste, said Christine Carroll.

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“The new building will allow Crossing to better serve its custormers, while conserving natural resources, protecting the environment and reducing the company’s carbon footprint,” she said.

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With the help of State Rep. Steve Santarsiero’s office, Crossing has applied for a $25,000 energy efficiency grant through the commonwealth’s Office of Energy Technology Deployment. “The initial cost to install a geothermal HVAC system is extremely high,” said Carroll. “The grant will help to defray the cost.”

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Carroll reports that due to the building’s design, with no windows and super-insulated doors and walls, the first electric bill was only $49. The public is invited to the official opening of the building, and to the weekend birthday celebration from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18 at the winery. The Eric Mintel Quartet will perform jazz from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 and the Upper Princeton Swing Collective will offer its version of jazz and swing from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 18.

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Guests will get a free gift with the purchase of a case of wine and can enter a drawing for two tickets to a Food & Wine Pairing Nov. 14.


Crossing has a lot to celebrate. Aside from the successful launch of its “green” initiatives this past year, the winery was featured in an article in the on-line magazine “Keystone Edge” as one of the state’s leading wineries, and one that is helping to create the perception of Pennsylvania as a serious wine region. It got national attention when Tom Stevenson's 2009 Annual Wine Report, a well-respected international guide to the wines of the world, ranked it number three in a Top 10 list of up and coming East Coast producers. It was ranked number five in ’08.


In 2009, Crossing added 14 more medals to its trophy case, bringing the total in six years to 82.

The most recent wins came at the debut of the Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition Sept. 26-27 in San Diego. Crossing’s Merlot ’06 earned a platinum medal; its Cabernet Franc ’06, a gold; and its Viognier ’07, a silver.

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