Originally built by Hugh Barton, heir of the celebrated Bordeaux Dynasty, B & G, The K Club, Hotel Resort and Country Club’s wine cellar offers hotel guests intimate access to its storied heritage and expansive collection.
The K Club, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is a grand Irish country retreat set on 550 acres of pristine parkland on a private stretch of the River Liffey in Kildare, Ireland. The meticulously restored 19th -century Georgian mansion offers 69 elegant rooms and Straffan House, the owner’s private residence, available for exclusive use. Guests can play two Arnold Palmer-designed championship courses: The Palmer Course, venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup, considered one of the best courses in Europe and The Palmer Smurfit Course, host to the European Open from 1995 to 2007. Guests also can indulge at the luxurious 20,000-square-foot K Spa hailed among the finest in Europe. Located 22 miles from Dublin and 24 miles from Dublin Airport, The K Club pairs old-world charm, service and ambiance with modern comforts in a luxurious residential setting.
Each Saturday night, The K Club’s award-winning Sommelier, Lisa O’Doherty leads guests on a complementary tour through the hotel’s notable cellar. A venerable docent, Ms. O’Doherty unveils its unique liquid history captured in aged and dusty bottles such as the 1928 Beychevelle, and the largest collection of Chateau Petrus in Ireland. At the tour’s conclusion, Ms. O’Doherty will assist guests in selecting their own bottle from the antique shelves to accompany their dinner in the restaurant.
Maintained for the past eleven years by Ms. O’Doherty, The K Club’s wine cellar is truly one of the finest in Ireland. With over 450 wines on the menu, it reads like a ‘who’s who’ of the winemaking world. The collection dates back to the 1928 Beychevelle and includes all five first-growths of Petrus. It has a very strong selection from Burgundy, and boasts one of the cellar’s rarest wines – La Romanee Conti 1990 from Domaine Romanee Conti valued at €20,000.00. In addition to the rare vintages, O’Doherty has also created an eclectic collection of boutique wines from around the globe, such as Clarendon Hills and Giaconda Winery from Australia, Dominus from Napa Valley, L’Ermita from Priorat.
To capitalize on The K Club’s wine experience, oenophiles can arrange to dine privately at the‘cellar table,’ where they can enjoy a bespoke, gourmet menu served French Family style, surrounded by some of the world’s finest wines. Whether it’s a romantic meal for two while sipping vintage Champagne or a group wine tasting dinner, this rare setting creates an unforgettable celebration.
Built in 1932 by Hugh Barton of the famous French wine firm Barton and Guestier, Straffan House was modelled after a magnificent château near Versailles. The homes original wine cellar is located beneath hotel’s East Wing and the most impressive part of the hotel today.
Ms. O’Doherty has served royalty, heads of state, Hollywood stars and, of course, the best golfers in the world. What fascinates her most about all of these luminaries is their interest in wine and how much they enjoy talking and learning about it. She takes a similar approach in her own research. She regularly buys and tastes some of the finest wines in the world, but prides herself on finding “gems” at more accessible prices.
In 2005, The K Club’s founder, Sir Michael Smurfit built Straffan House, a 34,000-sq-ft French Chateau-inspired home adjacent to the K Club Hotel which includes its own glass-enclosed, thermostatically-controlled wine cellar. Newly available for private use, Straffan House is spread over three stories, and abounds in sumptuousness and lavish amenities including a dedicated service team, concierge and private chef. With high ceilings, fine stucco work and stunning chandeliers, the property is adorned with original works of art by noted Irish artists Sir William Orpen and Jack B. Yeats. There are 10 bedrooms in total, all en-suite, an indoor swimming pool replete with ‘swim up bar’, spa, gym, games room, and a cinema.
For more details please visit www.kclub.ie.