So much has been written about Barboursville Vineyards and its exceptional Octagon releases. Remember that the Octagon does not release yearly, only in the years when the fruit yields what they consider the top quality to make the superlative wine, the Octagon. Well, readers, this is your lucky year.

The Octagon Ninth Edition 2006, which has been tasted and tested and written about, will make its grand entrance for everyone to taste, enjoy, rave about, and join the critics at the annual Octagon luncheon, October 16, prepared by Palladio award-winning chef, Melissa Close. The first course will be paired with the Octagon 2006, the gold medal winner from the Beverage Tasting Institute with a rating of “Exceptional.”

It should be noted that the 2006 received just one point higher than last year’s World Wine Championship winner, The Octagon Eighth Edition 2005! This superb wine will grace the 2nd course at the luncheon. Maybe we should bill the event as the winning round from a Sibling Rivalry Face-off. Two additional courses grace the luncheon, each with its own Octagon pairings (the 2001 and the 1999).

Need I say more about the superb attention being feasted on Virginia wines? OK, one more thing: Reservations are filling up quickly, call, 540-832-7848 for the luncheon. In the meantime you can visit the Tasting Room for both high achievers!

Congratulations to Barboursville and its most recent accolade!