Ashford Castle has launched the second in its series of annual experiences for wine experts and enthusiasts that combines outstanding world wines with exceptional Irish produce. Taking place from 3-5 February 2023, Meet the Makers at Ashford Castle will also feature a rare opportunity to meet and learn from some of Ireland’s leading winemakers, all of whom are first generation Irish Wine Geese.
Priced from €1,040 per person sharing, the second Meet the Makers experience will welcome guests who will dine alongside leading winemakers including local Mayo woman, Roísín Curley, Dermot and Ana Sugrue and Liam and Sinead Cabot.
Friday, 3 February: Meet the Makers at Cullen’s at the Cottage
On the first evening of this two-day event, guests will enjoy a sparkling wine reception from Dermot Sugrue who hails from near Limerick and is now one of the most influential and prolific winemakers on the English sparkling wine scene. A four-course meal, hosted at Cullen’s at the Cottage and featuring beautiful ingredients from local and Irish producers including from the Ashford Estate, will be complemented by wines from the renowned group of Irish winemakers:
Roísín Curley: Burgundy
Dermot and Ana Sugrue: Sugrue Wines
Liam and Sinead Cabot: Roka Wines, Slovenia
Saturday morning, 4 February: Wild Geese Masterclass
After a leisurely breakfast, guests are invited to join the Wild Geese winemakers for a very special masterclass and tasting, where they will learn more about the history of the wines and their distinct characteristics while gaining expert knowledge and a unique insight from these ‘local’ luminaries of the wine world.
Guests will enjoy a light lunch and an afternoon of leisure to explore the Ashford Estate on foot or by bike, play 9 holes of golf, visit the private cinema or simply enjoy the surrounds of a property steeped in 800 years of history and more than 80 years of hospitality.
Saturday evening: a sparkling occasion
Ashford Castle’s wine cellars have been transformed into atmospheric vaults where guests can enjoy wine tastings and private dining experiences and beneath the castle is where guests will be hosted for a pre-dinner reception, once again featuring Dermot Sugrue’s award-winning sparkling wine.
The magnificent Connaught Room in the Castle is the historic location for a private, six-course wine dinner that follows. Exclusively featuring Chateau de Fieuzal from the Bordeaux region, there is yet another Irish connection: in 2001, well known businessman, Lochlainn Quinn purchased the Chateau de Fieuzal property, which is in the Graves region, on the left bank of the Garonne River.
The menu, which will be devised by Ashford Castle’s new Executive Head Chef, Liam Finnegan, to complement the perfectly balanced Chateau de Fieuzal wines will feature equally magical flavours of Ireland including celeriac, cured organic salmon, turbot and scallop, partridge and beef fillet and cheek.
Reservations www.ashfordcastle.com or email [email protected] or call 094 954 6003
