Hard to beat the perfect combination of chef wizardry and world-class wines. Now you’ll have an unique opportunity to savor the best with the opening of the Guest Chefs for a Dream Season at Palladio Restaurant, at Barboursville Winery. To celebrate Chef Melissa Close’s 10 year anniversary with Sommelier Alessandro Medici, the series kicks off April 10 with Patrick O’Connell, chef and proprietor of the Inn at Little Washington.

The four-course luncheon menu gives guests the perfect opportunity to savor Chef O’Connell’s mastery paired with four luscious wines. Reservations are required and a portion of the proceeds will benefit The James Beard Foundation, an organization both Chefs O’Connell and Close have actively supported.

Additional Guest Chefs for later events include Frank Stitt, the chef most responsible for Melissa Close’s early knowledge in Italian cuisine (June 26, 7P). The Italian Harvest Feast with Chef Cesare Lanfranconi of Washington’s Spezie Ristorante, September 26, 1P.  The annual Truffle Dinner with neighboring chef Craig Hartman of Fossett’s at Keswick Hall (November 13, 7P and November 14, 1P).

The program also includes an Evening with Morels in May, a Garden and Sea event with Planet Earth Diversified in July, and an August luncheon with Chef Daniel Giusti of Washington’s 1789 Restaurant.

In addition there are two major annual events, The Octagon, a 4-course celebration (October 16, 1P) focusing on four distinct Octagon vintages. For many the height of celebrations will be the 20th Anniversary Feast for Winemaker Luca Paschina on October 30 at 7P.

Now is the time to consider the first event which joins Chef O’Connell’s Inn at Little Washington mastery with the perfection of the carefully selected pairings. Then take out your datebook and help Barboursville celebrate the chef, the sommelier, and the winemaker as the events continue through the seasons.

So many special opportunities to celebrate, but time is of the essence as you want to join in the events and not merely hear about them. For reservations, call 540-832-7848. Menus are posted on the website.