A vineyard between heaven & earth

Cradled amid the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley,
Bouchard Finlayson is widely acclaimed as one of South Africa’s leading boutique wine cellars.

With a terroir defined by both ancient soils and a cool maritime climate, the vineyards of Bouchard Finlayson are famous for producing award-winning
Pinot Noir, elegant Chardonnay and terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc, while inspired blends showcase the depth of skill and innovation in our winemaking team.

The Bouchard Finlayson cellar is conveniently located a scenic 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, close to the world-famous whale-watching centre of Hermanus.

Intimate weddings

For intimate weddings, the beautiful and serene surroundings of Ashford Castle are perfectly suited to small celebrations as well as large lavish affairs. Whether you are opting for a celebration for just the two of you together, or with your nearest and dearest, our dedicated staff will make sure your special moment together is everything you could wish for.

Blessings
Vow renewals
Elegant Connaught and Inglenook rooms are perfect for up to 40 guests
Beautiful rooms and bridal suites, or opt for the Hideaway Cottage

Outdoor evening table setting for wedding, decorated with lanterns and candles

Plan your big day...

From the flowers to the photography, to the cake and the entertainment, to the order of the day and all of the fine details in between, we will arrange the day you have always dreamed about. The difference is in the detail.

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Exclusive use

Make Ashford Castle truly your own - you can hire the entire estate so it’s exclusively yours. The castle’s 83 bedrooms, suites and Lakeside Hideaway Cottage will accommodate up to 160 guests, allowing you and your wedding party to enjoy the full castle experience without interruption.

Enjoy exclusive use of all restaurants and bars including The George V Dining Room for an unforgettable wedding breakfast, the underground Wine Cellars for a magical pre-wedding event or the impressive Oak Hall for a show-stopping reception in the heart of the castle.

An exclusive use wedding also offers a range of unforgettable estate activities for you and your guests to enjoy including falconry, equestrian, golf, river cruising, fishing and spa treatments.

The ceremony

Hold your ceremony in a local church, in the castle’s elegant Drawing Room or weather permitting, outside in the castle gardens with remarkable views over Lough Corrib and an impressive castle backdrop.

If you would prefer a church wedding, a choice of churches are located in and around the castle grounds - ideal for you and your guests to move between the ceremony and reception venue. Alternatively, Saint Mary’s Church Cong is located in the village, just a three-minute drive from the Ashford Estate.

This beautiful traditional Roman Catholic church is an idyllic location for a wedding. Or, a little further away you’ll find Ballintubber Abbey, founded in 1216 and a 40-minute drive.

A romantic retreat

Our bridal suite, named after president Reagan and with views of Lough Corrib, offers two bathrooms and can be combined with two adjacent rooms to complete a private three-bedroom wing of the castle. Or opt for the Hideaway Cottage - an exclusive, one-bedroom suite on the water’s edge of the lake.

Your guests will be well catered for too - with a total of 83 individually and lovingly designed rooms and suites.