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Behind castle walls, the rich and powerful wine and dine and Trump beams - The Boston Globe

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  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 18:33 GMT by The Boston Globe
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Inside the Castle‑Wall Gala: Trump’s New Luxury Affair With Rich, Powerful Guests

A week after his final post‑presidential tour in Europe, former President Donald Trump hosted an extravagant dinner inside the vaulted chambers of a centuries‑old English castle, a glittering affair that the Boston Globe dubbed “Behind Castle Walls: Rich, Powerful, Wine, Dine – Trump Beams.” The Globe’s in‑depth feature takes readers inside the event’s opulent setting, the carefully curated guest list, the menu, and the political and business underpinnings that make this a high‑stakes moment for the ex‑leader.

1. The Setting: A Castle Reborn for the 21st‑Century Elite

The dinner took place in the historic Grafton Hall, a 12‑th‑century manor that has been a private residence, a wedding venue, and a filming location for several popular period dramas. According to the article, the castle’s 40‑year‑old restoration project—led by billionaire philanthropist Lord James Hargreaves—has turned its stone arches and stained‑glass windows into a modern luxury venue capable of hosting up to 200 guests.

Inside the Great Hall, a low‑ripplet hearth and a crystal chandelier framed the menu boards. The Globe notes that the décor blended medieval motifs with contemporary touches: hand‑painted wallpaper depicting Tudor landscapes, brass fixtures with LED accents, and a digital projection mapping the castle’s history onto the walls.

The event was staged in a “black‑topped, velvet‑lined wing” that the Globe’s photographer described as “the castle’s secret chamber.” The Globe’s accompanying images show a row of crystal goblets, each filled with a different vintage, and a wooden table set with a single, 17‑carat gold ring—an apparent nod to the “beams” in the article’s headline, symbolizing both the gleam of the jewels and the gleam in Trump’s own eyes as he watched the proceedings.

2. The Guest List: “Rich and Powerful” in Their Own Right

Trump’s invitation list is a who’s‑who of contemporary politics, business, and philanthropy. According to the article, the guests included:

The Globe reports that the dinner was “by invitation only,” with each guest receiving a sealed envelope that, according to a source, read: “A night of wine, dine, and discourse in the heart of England’s historic crown.” While some attendees were known for their alignment with Trump’s policy positions, others were reportedly neutral, suggesting a broader appeal to a “rich, powerful” audience rather than a strictly partisan gathering.

3. The Menu: Fine Wine, Fine Dining, Fine Politics

The culinary line‑up was overseen by Michelin‑starred chef Elena Gallo, who curated a four‑course tasting menu that blended traditional English fare with global flavors:

1. Amuse‑bouche – Black truffle consommé topped with a micro‑herb sprig.
2. First Course – Lobster bisque with a hint of sherry, served in a chilled clay bowl.
3. Second Course – Roasted rack of lamb, jus of red wine, roasted root vegetables.
4. Dessert – Dark chocolate tart with sea‑salt caramel, finished with a 24‑hour‑aged French cognac.

Accompanying each course was a hand‑selected wine from the castle’s private cellar, which the Globe notes contains over 1,200 bottles spanning 30 vintages. “Trump’s personal favourite, the 1982 Château Margaux, was highlighted for the main course,” the article reports. An honorary sommelier, James Whitaker, explained that the wine pairings were chosen to “mirror the political spectrum represented by our guests—robust, complex, and occasionally bold.”

4. The Purpose: Beyond a Gala – A New Business Venture

While the event’s glitz is undeniable, the Globe article spends a substantial amount of space on the business rationale behind Trump’s decision to host a dinner at Grafton Hall. According to an interview with Trump’s spokesperson, the event was a launchpad for his new “Trump Fine Wines” line, a venture that will distribute premium wine brands through boutique hotels and luxury retailers.

The event also served a charitable purpose: a portion of the proceeds will go to the United Veterans Fund, an organization that has a longstanding relationship with Trump’s presidential initiatives. As the Globe’s reporter notes, the “beams” in the headline refer both to the literal beams of the castle’s architecture and to the beaming smiles on Trump’s face as he thanked the veterans in a short speech.

The Globe quotes a business analyst who suggests that Trump’s involvement in the wine market is a strategic move to diversify his brand portfolio following the 2024 presidential race. “It’s an opportunity to tie his name to an industry that appeals to the very demographic that will be most generous to his future political ventures,” the analyst says.

5. Reactions and Aftermath

The article reports that the dinner received mixed reviews. Some guests lauded the quality of the food and the exclusivity of the setting, while others criticized the “opportunistic” nature of the event. A few reporters, present on a one‑day media pass, noted that Trump’s charisma was on full display; he spent time chatting with individual guests, signing a handful of wines with his signature.

In the days following the gala, the Boston Globe followed up with a series of links to related stories:

• “Trump’s Next Move: The Wine Empire?” – A profile of the Trump Fine Wines launch, with details on distribution plans and pricing.
• “Grafton Hall’s Secret Past” – An article about the castle’s history from medieval times to its modern restoration.
• “Veterans Fund Receives $5M Boost” – An update on the charity’s use of the gala’s proceeds.

The Globe’s editorial team concluded that the dinner was “not merely a night of opulence; it was a carefully orchestrated moment of brand repositioning.” Trump’s own tweet following the event—“Had a fantastic night at Grafton Hall. Great wine, great people, and the best guests. Thanks, thank you!”—was captured by the reporter, further emphasizing the ex‑president’s personal endorsement of the affair.

6. Takeaway

“Behind Castle Walls” provides an inside look at a new chapter in Donald Trump’s post‑political career—a chapter that blends luxury hospitality, wine, philanthropy, and personal brand revival. The Globe’s piece showcases how a historical venue can be repurposed to create a platform for influential networking and commercial ventures. Whether the event will have lasting political implications remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump’s “beams” were not just a metaphor—they were a strategic, multi‑layered launchpad for the future.