Opening the 33rd Annual Relais & Châteaux International Congress

On the evening of November 25th, by invitation of Chef Patrick O’Connell at The Inn at Little Washington, winemaker Luca Paschina presented Octagon, Nebbiolo Reserve, and Malvaxia Passito from the 2004 vintage, to be paired with the incomparable specialties of leading chefs of North America attending the festive opening of the 33rd Annual International Congress of Relais & Châteaux hostelries and restaurants, in the Great Hall of the National Building Museum in Washington DC. Only once before had the prestigious global association convened in North America, and perhaps never with such a stunning diversity and wealth of gastronomic genius to be savoured and celebrated.

With offerings by Chef O’Connell, Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Gary Danko, and Charlie Palmer among 11 other world-famous chefs from Québec to San Francisco, the majestic 19th Century museum mounted a memorable if all-too-brief exhibition of inspired culinary excellence and sincere professional fellowship, in which it was a joy to take part. Here in Virginia, we continue to furnish the House red, white, and sparkling wines for The Inn at Little Washington, in a relationship inspiring to all our wine production.