Ashford Castle launches meet the makers series

ASHFORD Castle has launched the first in a series of annual experiences for wine enthusiasts that combines wine tasting and excellent food with a rare opportunity to meet leading winemakers from the world’s top wine-making regions.

Meet the Makers will give guests access to exclusive insights and expertise together with some of the finest wines from the winemakers’ respective regions.

The first experience, priced from €950 per person, will welcome four top winemakers from France and will be enjoyed over the course of two days from February 4 to 6, 2022, and early booking is advised.

The two-night getaway gets underway with a reception and a private welcome dinner with the winemakers at Cullen’s at the Cottage, on the grounds of the magnificent Ashford estate.

After a leisurely breakfast on day two, guests are invited to Ashford Castle’s private cinema to learn about the growing trend of biodynamic and organic wines specific to the winemakers’ vineyards and their experience working towards this. The winemakers are from: Domaine Albert Mann, Alsace; Domaine Vincent Girardin, Burgundy; Chateau Pedesclaux - Pauillac, Bordeaux; and Domaine Bott, Rhone Valley.

A light lunch will follow where the renowned experts will offer first-hand insight on the effects of climate change on their vineyards in France.

Guests will then work up an appetite with plenty of time to explore all that the Ashford estate has to offer and will return to drinks and canapés in the castle’s 16th century wine cellars followed by a six-course dinner in the historic Connaught Room. Packed with seasonal flair, the menu has been devised by Ashford Castle’s executive chef, an advocate of local, seasonal produce, Philippe Farineau.

Meet the Makers is a wonderful idea for luxury Christmas gifting and an event wine enthusiasts and explorers can look forward to year on year.

Ashford Castle’s wine cellars were originally used as the servants’ entrance, a coal bunker and underground walkway and have since been lovingly transformed. They now provide intimate private spaces where guests can enjoy wine tasting from the castle’s expansive list of over 600 wines along with special dining experiences.

Reservations at https://ashfordcastle.com/ , email reservations@ashfordcastle.com or call (094) 9546003.