Everything old is new again at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland, where a $75 million restoration revealed a long-forgotten limestone coal bunker within an unused tunnel beneath the castle. That hidden space has been beautifully converted into an intimate wine cellar ideal for tastings and private gatherings. Once a subterranean walkway and servant entrance, the tunnel now houses a private guest entrance lobby, dedicated tasting rooms and modern, temperature-controlled storage to protect the castle’s celebrated selection of red, white and sparkling wines. The cellar is also equipped with a Coravin tasting system that lets guests sample wines by the glass without disturbing the bottles.
Perched above the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong, Ashford Castle ranks among the world’s most distinguished castle hotels. The estate spans 350 acres of forested grounds, waterways and mountain views, and the new tunnel cellar complements the hotel’s extensive historic wine reserves. Those original cellars once held the Guinness family’s stocks, along with Madeira and vintage ports. Today, the collection curated by the castle’s four sommeliers includes both New and Old World wines, hard-to-find vintages and bottles from the parent company Red Carnation’s boutique South African vineyards, Bouchard Finlayson.
The new cellar expands the castle’s hospitality options with plans for a Winemaker Dinner Series and daily sommelier service. Guests can consult an on-site expert to choose the perfect bottle for dinner in any of the estate’s elegant dining rooms, or book the private tasting rooms for special occasions. The renovation marries historic character with contemporary wine preservation standards, ensuring both ambience and precise cellar conditions for long-term storage and immediate enjoyment.
Beyond the cellar itself, the restoration is part of a broader investment in maintaining Ashford Castle’s heritage while enhancing guest experiences. The discreet tunnel entrance and the carefully designed tasting areas preserve the site’s original stonework and atmosphere, creating a sense of discovery for visitors. Whether sampling a rare vintage from the castle’s archives, exploring boutique wines from Bouchard Finlayson, or attending one of the planned wine dinners, guests benefit from a refined, personal approach to wine service in an exceptional historic setting.
With its dramatic location and renewed amenities, Ashford Castle continues to blend history, luxury and gastronomy. The newly revealed wine tunnel adds a unique feature to the estate, offering private, climate-controlled storage and atmospheric tasting spaces that enhance the castle’s longstanding reputation for refined hospitality. Sommeliers remain available daily to guide selections, making it easy for guests to pair wines with meals or to create memorable private wine events in the heart of Ireland’s countryside.