Irish Guild of Sommeliers – Ireland

GUEST OF HONOUR: WALDO VAN ZYL OF DE TRAFFORD & SIJNN WINES

HOST: KINNEGAR WINES

VENUE: THE CONNAUGHT ROOM AT ASHFORD CASTLE

The Winemaker Dinner Series at Ashford Castle is nearly as legendary as the Winemakers and their Wines who have graced the Connaught Room over the years. We have been honoured to welcome some of the greatest Men and Women of the Wine World. The one thing that links each of our Winemakers who have showcased their Wines as part of our Winemaker Dinner Series is their passion and innovation in the pursuit of excellence. The success of these wonderful events is the sum of many parts, a very talented winemaker, great wines, a brilliant chef, sumptuous food and the spectacular setting of Ashford Castle and its historic Connaught room.

De Trafford Wines have always been a leading trailblazing light of South African Wines throughout the Wine World. A recognized hallmark of De Trafford Wines is the effort spent by David De Trafford and his young Winemaker Waldo Van Zyl in cultivating ripe vines to produce properly ripe fruit, picked at optimum ripeness with maximum potential intensity and complexity. David is an Architect by profession, but has lived on land with such great vineyard potential, it was impossible not to get involved in the wine business. The De Trafford Winery is situated on the beautiful Mont Fleur farm set at the top of a dramatic valley above Stellenbosch. He has sought and gained an understanding and worked with his vineyard’s to coax something magical from the land with an acute appreciation of nature and sense of time and place.

Waldo Van Zyl is a young new addition who has had excellent experience at many prestigious Southern Hemisphere Winerys and is already fitting in well and proving to be an real asset. Waldo is heading up Sijnn an exciting new vineyard venture on a stony plateau between Malagas and Cape Infanta. The complex Terroir, together with a warm dry climate moderated by the constant sea breezes offers excellent vineyard potential and the possibility of producing some unique varietals something De Trafford is revered for.

The wines to be showcased by Waldo include a De Trafford Cabernet and a magnificent dry Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch, a Sijnn Red & Sijnn White from Malagas and then the glorious straw wine from De Trafford – so quite a range of very different style of wine’s.To enhance this amazing Food and Wine experience Chef Stefan Matz has yet again created a five course Gala Menu full of seasonal delights to include Porcupine Prawn Tails, Caramelized Scallops, Roast Loin of Connemara Lamb and Roast Fillet of Venison each creation will be paired with a Wine chosen by Waldo from the Cellars of  David De Trafford. The evening will start with an Introduction to Waldo whilst sipping Champagne and sampling Canapés all this in order to prepare your taste Buds for the glories that lie ahead within the Fabled walls of The Connaught Room.

Places for this unique food and wine experience are nearly as exclusive as these Iconic wines. To secure your seat at the next Winemakers table, please contact me at robertbowe@ashford.ie