The Vision Behind Biltmore Wine
The most visited winery in the United States isn't located in Napa Valley. It's at Biltmore in the mountains of North Carolina, where approximately 1 million visitors stop by to sample award-winning estate wines each year. Learn more about visiting Biltmore's Winery.
The first vineyards at Biltmore were established in 1971 in an area below Biltmore House. French-American hybrids were planted initially, with vinifera plantings following in a few years. Inspired after several years of experimenting, William A.V. Cecil, then president and owner of Biltmore, decided that a winery was the natural outcome of ongoing research and a logical extension of his grandfather's intention that the estate be self-supporting.
Demand for Biltmore Wine continues to rise. "We're excited about the growth of our winery and the attention it's been receiving," said Bill Cecil, Jr., current President and CEO of The Biltmore Company and great-grandson of estate owner George W. Vanderbilt. "North Carolina is gaining a reputation for producing quality wines and we hope to continue to lead the charge in educating wine enthusiasts and novices alike about what our state has to offer."
