NORTHFIELD — For the Camerons, successfully continuing and growing their business through the COVID-19 pandemic was an accomplishment to be proud of.
“We expanded our business and created the brewery,” said Leslie Cameron, who co-owns Cameron’s Winery and The Back Room Brewing Co. with her husband, Paul. “The fact we got through COVID, that was a huge thing. I didn’t think anything could ever beat that.”
That was until recently, when the 1046 Millers Falls Road winery became the recipient of 15 awards at the 2023 Big E Wine Competition. Most notably, Cameron’s Winery was named the 2023 Premier Exhibitor Best Winery.
“It’s a suspension of disbelief,” Leslie Cameron said of her reaction, with Paul adding that he, too, is proud of the accomplishment. “I feel like I’m in a Hallmark movie,” she added. “I’m … beyond joyful.”
According to the Big E results, the winery received a double gold medal for its orange wine — one of only three wineries, and the only one in the state, to receive a double gold — as well as a gold medal for its red raspberry grapefruit wine, eight silver medals and three bronze medals. The orange wine was also named the best fruit wine.
“Our dark berries did well,” Leslie Cameron continued. “Our chocolate wines did really well.”
She noted the wines are each judged differently, with point values assigned to different elements. The Premier Exhibitor award is given to the winery with the most points.
“When we saw our scores, we were like, ‘Wow,’” she said.
Cameron’s Winery opened in Swanzey, New Hampshire in 2012, before moving to Northfield in 2015. With few exceptions, the Camerons’ wine has been recognized every year since first entering the Big E Wine Competition in 2014. The Camerons had entered their first competition, the Indy International Wine Competition, in 2013, and won a bronze medal.
For more information about Cameron’s Winery, visit cameronswinery.com. A full list of 2023 Big E Wine Competition winners can be found at bit.ly/43TRx6m.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.