Plan A Romantic Getaway to Biltmore Posted on January 7, 2023 at 11:44 am.Written by Jean Sexton When you’re longing for time away with your beloved, Biltmore serves up the ultimate romantic escape whether you’re seeking a private retreat for renewed connections or fun-filled adventures in the great outdoors. Follow our expert tips and inspiration for planning your next romantic getaway to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Enjoy the great outdoors together on your next romantic date or getaway at Biltmore! Explore the estate together Create new memories by enjoying the outdoors together while exploring the grounds of George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre Blue Ridge Mountain estate. “I can’t think of anything much more romantic than a carriage ride across this stunning estate,” said Heather Brannan, Outdoor Adventure Center Supervisor, “but Biltmore offers so many activities that you’re sure to find something that delights both of you.” Carriage and trail rides Enjoy Biltmore’s property from a different perspective with a carriage or trail ride. Choose guided or private options to suit your style and abilities. Biking and hiking Delight in Frederick Law Olmsted’s distinctive landscape design as you explore the trails at Biltmore. Walk, hike, rent a bike, or pedal your own to get a firsthand view of the estate. Falconry is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey. Adventure awaits Team up with your significant other for an adventure that may take you out of your comfort zone, but will also bring you closer together as you learn new skills with the help of our expert guides. Sporting Clays Enjoy a lesson with an expert instructor on our estate and learn proper gun mount, stance, target engagement, and other fundamental skills. Falconry Let romance take flight as you experience the ancient art of falconry together. Learn about these fascinating birds of prey as well as hawks and barn owls, and receive expert training on handling and interacting with these captivating raptors. Guided Bird Walks Explore the fields, open woodlands, and Farmyard area below Antler Hill Village on an engaging, educational adventure led by a professional Ventures Birding tour guide. Make a morning reservation for Biltmore House and feel like a guest of the Vanderbilts. Rise and shine Beth Poslusny, Vice President of Destination Guest Experience, suggests making it a truly romantic getaway with accommodations and special packages at The Inn on Biltmore Estate®, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate® or one of our private historic Cottages on Biltmore Estate™. “You’ll have the unique opportunity to awaken on the estate,” said Beth, “and there’s no better way to start a special day together!” Make your date or getaway more romantic with the addition of a Behind-the-Scenes Guided Tour: The Biltmore House Backstairs Tour offers enthralling stories of domestic staff while exploring their lives and the areas where they worked. Our Rooftop Tour offers a bird’s eye view of the house, with fascinating little-known details about the construction and design of the 175,000-square-foot home. Be sure to include dining in your romantic getaway at Biltmore! Table for two As part of your romantic date or getaway, make time to wine and dine on the estate with your special someone. Winery Visit our Winery and receive an introduction to our distinctive portfolio of multi-award-winning reds, whites, and rosés. Our knowledgeable wine hosts are on hand to guide your selections from among more than 20 handcrafted vintages. Enjoy a FREE wine tasting while learning more about Biltmore’s winemaking heritage. Unwind at the indoor-outdoor Wine Bar to enjoy Biltmore wines with charcuterie, cheese, and chocolates, then stock up on favorite vintages and accessories at the Wine Shop. Rekindle your memories at home with a membership in our Vanderbilt Wine Club®. Delicious Dining“From fine dining to casual, quick-service options and sweet treats, Biltmore offers fabulous flavors to suit every taste,” said Estate Executive Chef Mark DeMarco. “Something as simple as sipping hot chocolate from The Creamery while you stroll around Antler Hill Village can make any date more memorable.” For the ultimate romantic dinner, Chef DeMarco suggests reserving a table for two in The Dining Room at The Inn on Biltmore Estate–both the restaurant and The Inn have earned a prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star rating for world-class service and gracious hospitality. Plan your next romantic date or getaway now No matter what activities light your fire, the variety of things to do at Biltmore will provide the perfect spark for your next romantic date or getaway. Visit Tip: Available guided activities vary throughout the year. We recommend checking our current activities online in advance to make the most of your romantic getaway to Biltmore.
Our Holiday Gingerbread House Was Built To Last Posted on September 25, 2022 at 12:24 pm.Written by Jean Sexton Biltmore’s holiday gingerbread house was built to last–mostly because it’s not really made from real gingerbread! Although the fanciful replica of America’s Largest Home® appears to be constructed from freshly baked gingerbread that’s been decorated with swirls of snowy icing and old-fashioned candy details, it’s actually an incredibly detailed work of art from our friends at Applied Imagination. Once finished, the faux gingerbread version of Biltmore House had to be carefully transported from Applied Imagination’s workshop in Alexandria, KY, to Asheville, NC These talented artists specialize in handcrafting architectural models, sculptures, and garden railways out of natural materials. They created all of our Biltmore Gardens Railway displays and Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcards in Antler Hill Village now through February 19, 2024. In past years, our talented Biltmore Estate pastry chefs created real confectionary replicas of Biltmore House, but it was always a monumental task that took weeks to complete and needed a lot of space to assemble. It was also challenging to transport the finished gingerbread house to the Main Kitchen without losing some wreaths and roof tiles along the way! A firm foundation Jason Pleva puts finishing touches on his scale model of Biltmore House In 2017, Jason Pleva, a member of Biltmore’s carpentry team, used the plans of Biltmore House to build a wooden scale model that could be used as a base for a gingerbread house. It was a good solution that shaved off a lot of construction time, but unfortunately, our chefs found that decorative icing doesn’t cling to wood as well as it does to gingerbread.Because we’d had so many wonderful experiences with Applied Imagination and the amazing structures they’d created for our Biltmore Gardens Railway displays, we asked if the artists could tackle this Christmas conundrum for us, using Jason’s model as a base for a gingerbread house that would be as long lasting as it was beautiful. In September 2021, Stephanie Winters, Creative Director/Lead Sculptor, and Ava Roberts, Assistant Sculptor, of Applied Imagination finished their version of America’s Largest Home®. The results were breathtaking, and our “gingerbread house” now takes place of pride in our Main Kitchen during Christmas at Biltmore. Fun facts from the gingerbread construction project: Time to complete: 1200 hours over the course of five months Measurements: 78½” wide x 32” deep x 32” high (including spires) Building materials Applied Imagination created wonderful details, right down to the beloved marble lions at the Front Door of Biltmore House Gingerbread Cookie Base Tile grout mixed with Mod Podge® Matte and sponged onto 3/16” Gatorboard shapes Wavy Shingled Roof Wooden fan handles covered with tile grout and Mod Podge Windows and Mullions Window panes created with modeling dowel rods and architectural modeling materials (bass wood). Windows created with poured casting resin sprinkled with clear glitter. Textured windows (exterior staircase) have the addition of large, granular, clear beads mixed with resin. Windows backed with gold shimmer paper to resemble the effect of being lit within. Spires on Roof, Staircase Facade, Window Tops, Railing Tops Antique glass headpins; large and small twist shapes in dark green, light green, purple, and pale ice; top spires painted antique gold Piped Icing Shapes All piped icing that makes up the majority of detail on the Biltmore House model was created completely by hand with Liquid Sculpey® (polymer clay). Shapes were formed using latex cake-decorating molds. Snow Blanket Spackling paste to create a base for sculpting and building shapes Clear glass diamond glitter was sprinkled on wet paste to give snow drifts and mounds the look of fresh powder Trees and Bushes Dry floral design cones and spheres, further sculpted by hand to resemble pine tree shapes. Finished with paint and landscape modeling greenery. Biltmore Lions Paper clay and white acrylic paint with a small amount of gold tinted glitter/mica. Garland Thin and flexible English faux pine rope Faux miniature boxwood/bay leaf roping Feathery evergreen (lions’ necks) Floral accents: faux red and gold berries; red velvet and gold-backed ribbon hand-fashioned into miniature bows The gingerbread house takes place of pride in the Main Kitchen during Christmas at Biltmore Candy decorations Faux Candy Decorations Resin gumdrops and gummies (edge and facade details) Sculpey clay chocolate swirls (base of the spires) Chocolate shavings, glass glitter (soot/embers in chimney tops, base of lions, base of spires, front facade details) Resin chocolate pretzels (fancy railings) Resin chocolate chips (spires inset) Small sugared gum drops, glass/plastic headpins (main detail throughout in purple, orange, yellow, red, green) Variety of candy colored balls of various sizes (beads and headpins) Sculpey clay swirled balls (small detail elements) Cut Cinnamon Sticks Facade details, small railings, wrought iron base for spires Peppermint Sticks Small (vintage paper hand-rolled on dowel rods) Large sticks on main facade (decorative paper on dowel rods) Peppermint balls on main facade (vintage spun cotton and thread) Gumballs, Gingerballs, Round Bulb Ornaments Green and red faux floral berries, gold- and silver-painted floral berries, painted beads Celebrate Christmas at Biltmore The Banquet Hall Christmas Tree is a favorite holiday tradition To see this marvelous piece of eye candy displayed in the Main Kitchen, make reservations for a holiday visit during our annual Christmas at Biltmore celebration, November 3, 2023–January 7, 2024, in Asheville, NC.
Asheville Artist Reproduces Biltmore Sculpture Posted on June 21, 2022 at 2:04 pm.Written by Jean Sexton Asheville artist Alex Irvine has reproduced a Biltmore sculpture, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the wonderful results! Biltmore sculpture removed for preservation Known as Woman Reading with Dog, this charming depiction of a young woman reading a book with her canine companion at her knees was originally installed on the Library Terrace at Biltmore House. Artist Alex Irvine worked from the original Biltmore sculpture in his Asheville-area studio to create two new versions for display at the estate. Like many of the other sculptures found throughout Biltmore’s historic gardens, Woman Reading with Dog was French in origin. It was produced by Gossin Frères of Paris, a firm well known for their ornamental terra cotta fabrications. After many years of exposure to the elements, Biltmore’s original sculpture had become unstable due to heavy deterioration, and was removed from the Library Terrace for preservation purposes. Asheville artist commissioned to create new Biltmore sculpture “We commissioned a replica from Asheville artist Alex Irvine after he worked with Biltmore’s conservation team on a project that involved recreating a missing arm and floral garland for a terra cotta sculpture located on the South Terrace of Biltmore House,” said Kara Warren, Preventive Conservation Specialist. “We’re fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such an exceptionally skilled ceramic artist who is located just miles from Biltmore Estate.” To reproduce Woman Reading with Dog, Alex employed a multi-step process similar to the one used to create the original sculpture. He began his work by hand building the figure out of clay, scaling it 9% larger than the original to account for shrinkage during the drying and firing of the clay. The entire commission took more than two years to complete. Original terra cotta sculpture (left); new copy (right) being hand-built around a metal armature that will help support the weight of the clay. × (L-R) The original sculpture and the new clay sculpture that will be used in the plaster mold of the final version. The arms are cast and fired separately. × The original sculpture was created by Gossin Frères of Paris. The re-creation is a perfect copy that includes the firm’s mark. × The mold for the new sculpture included 50 different sections, like this piece for one of the hands. × The sculpture’s arms were cast and fired separately from the rest of the figure and attached with steel pins the day after the sculpture was installed on the Library Terrace. × The newly re-created “Woman Reading with Dog” sculpture out of the kiln after being fired. × A close up of the sculpture reveals her serene expression and the beautiful detailing of her face and features. × Kara Warren, Preventive Conservation Specialist, discusses the sculpture with artist Alex Irvine in his studio. Credit: The Biltmore Company × The next step was the creation of a 50-part plaster mold of the replicated statue. The mold was assembled on the floor of the kiln in stages to allow access for handfuls of clay to be pressed into the mold to produce a hollow cast. The legs inside the garment and internal structure were hand-built with slabs of clay. Once cast, the surface details were refined again in preparation for firing. The clay statue was slowly dried over six months and then fired very slowly to 2100ºF in a one-of-a-kind electric kiln built for this commission. Installation of the new sculpture The reproduction of Woman Reading with Dog was installed on the Library Terrace, in the same location as the original. The replica of “Woman Reading with Dog” was carefully crated in Alex Irvine’s studio for its trip to the Library Terrace at Biltmore House. Her arms were attached with steel pins after installation was complete. × Alex Irvine, Kara Warren, and Trip Hudgins, Engineering Operations Manager, assist with the sculpture’s installation on the Library Terrace. × Asheville artist Alex Irvine oversees the prepping of the original limestone plinth on which the sculpture will be installed. × Delicate details like the dog’s tail could easily break during installation, so the artist and members of our Museum Services team handle the project with great care. × The final step of the process was to attach the sculpture’s arms with steel pins once the main installation was complete. × From this angle, you can see some of the wonderful details of the sculpture’s hand and arm, draped fabric, and even the dog’s teeth! × See preservation in action at Biltmore “Woman Reading with Dog” installed on the Library Terrace of Biltmore House In addition to viewing Woman Reading with Dog on the Library Terrace of Biltmore House, you can also view a second reproduction of this sculpture that was made as part of the process. The sculpture will be displayed in a niche in the back courtyard of Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate®.
Cedric the St. Bernard: Biltmore’s Very Good Boy Posted on June 7, 2022 at 3:29 pm.Written by Amy Dangelico Cedric, a smooth coat St. Bernard, was a loyal companion to George Vanderbilt. Though we aren’t sure exactly how George came to own Cedric, we do know he was brought to the estate from Point d’Acadie, George’s summer home in Bar Harbor, sometime around the opening of Biltmore House in 1895. Cedric was likely 1-3 years old at this time. Cedric, George Vanderbilt, and honeymooners Jay Burden and Adele Sloan, George’s niece, June 1895. This is one of the earliest photos of Cedric in the Biltmore House collection. Archival records reveal that Cedric received a lot of leeway around the estate. Correspondence from Biltmore House guests indicates that he had free reign on the first floor. He could often be found sunning on the Loggia or lying on the Library floor. He’s also seen in several pictures taken outdoors during Biltmore’s early days. Cedric sunbathing on the Loggia, ca. 1900. The massive St. Bernard was known to lounge and sometimes snooze in various locations through the first floor of Biltmore House. Cedric was a true member of the Vanderbilt family and was treated as such. In addition to a couple of close friends and employees, Cedric was one of the few attendees at a private ceremony during which George and Edith Vanderbilt oversaw the planting of a commemorative tree to honor the birth of their daughter Cornelia in 1900. George Vanderbilt, Cedric, and Cornelia Vanderbilt being held by her nanny at the planting of Cornelia’s “Baby Tree”, October 1900. The photograph was likely taken by Edith Vanderbilt. By 1901, there was a whole family of St. Bernards living at Biltmore, all adored by the Vanderbilts and their guests alike. In a letter to his wife, Joseph Hodges Choate, the American Ambassador to Great Britain and Biltmore House guest, wrote: “I shall not attempt to describe the house, which is obviously the finest in America, but the dogs are truly magnificent … I wish you could see these great St. Bernards—five of them, father, mother and three children, all big and splendid. They seem to fill the billiard-room and are most affectionate.” Cedric dozing in the Library of Biltmore House, ca. 1896. The beloved St. Bernard was known to sprawl out and relax where ever George Vanderbilt was. George Vanderbilt gifted St. Bernards (believed to have been sired by Cedric) to friends and family. In 1902, George’s friend the Right Rev. William Croswell Doane lost his faithful St. Bernard named Cluny, so George gave him a puppy named Balder. A few years later, George and Edith also gave a St. Bernard puppy to their nephew John Nicholas Brown, who named the dog Cedric. Cornelia Vanderbilt, the only child of George and Edith Vanderbilt, with a St. Bernard on the Front Lawn of Biltmore House, ca. 1903. Sadly, Cedric died in 1902 at Buckspring Lodge, where he was buried. To commemorate the occasion, Biltmore House guest Charlotte Pendleton wrote a poem in his honor, entitled Cedric: A Sonetto in Rondo, in the Nonsense Book. Cedric on the Rampe Douce of the Esplanade in front of Biltmore House. This photograph accompanied a poem in the Biltmore House Nonsense Book honoring Cedric when he passed away in 1902. Cedric Sonetto in RondoThe Moses of your canine raceOn Pisgah’s sapphire heights you strayedAmong her pink beds low you laidUpon the high and lovely place;You down to die where there is space,Amid cathedral pine arrayedWith plumed crest and views that braidTheir columned stems with waving grace.For your great body to lie downMost fully housed, walk spreading skiesOn beds of spicy needles, brown,Fragrant; couched in majesty,Rapt in deep solitude, a woven gownOf shrouded mystery. Measuring more than 33 inches around, Cedric’s original leather collar attests to the impressive size and heft of the Vanderbilts’ favorite breed. Today, we honor the legacy of Cedric the St. Bernard, Biltmore’s very good boy, with his eponymous restaurant: Cedric’s Tavern in Antler Hill Village. On your next estate visit, be sure to check out the many photographs of Cedric on the tavern’s walls as well as the display of his impressive leather collar. Biltmore Estate has five Great Pyrenees guard dogs that protect livestock on our working farms. Modern “good boys” at work If you’ve visited Biltmore Estate recently, you may have noticed five large white dogs guarding the sheep in farm fields around the property. These Great Pyrenees have very strong natural instincts to protect livestock animals and are working dogs, not pets. Their instincts tell them to protect and guard our sheep, and they can become upset if separated from their herd, especially at night. They truly love their work and want to spend every moment with the sheep, and are well taken care of by our agriculture team.
Biltmore’s Blacksmith: Striking While the Iron is Hot Posted on May 26, 2022 at 1:10 pm.Written by Amy Dangelico Did you know America’s Largest Home® has a resident blacksmith? A typical day for Biltmore blacksmith Steve Schroeder is spent demonstrating traditional techniques, telling stories to our guests, and answering their questions in the estate’s original smithy shop at Antler Hill Barn. Blacksmith to Blacksmith During one of his demonstrations, Steve met a guest who was a fellow blacksmith from New Jersey. The guest showed Steve a piece of his own: a metal key ring featuring a golf ball-sized rose with about 40 tiny petals. Blacksmithing is the art of forging metal to create hardware, ornamental objects, and more. Steve was impressed by the rose design and asked the guest about his process. To his surprise, the guest offered to stay at the smithy shop for what ended up being more than an hour to explain the method to Steve as he tried it out. “That’s one of the great things about blacksmiths,” Steve explains. “We’re very open about sharing projects and we’re happy to teach each other different techniques. There are no secrets in blacksmithing.” Blacksmiths use a variety of tools such as a hammer, an anvil, and a hot cut, which helps create indentations in the metal. The Rose Hook Process The upper portion of the rod is heated—as it is throughout the process—and then hammered (above) until it is incredibly thin.The rod is twisted in the middle to define the stem.The flat, upper portion of the rod is placed over a hot cut and struck with a hammer to create indentions along one side, defining the individual petals.The upper portion is bent into a P-shape.The P-shape is tightly coiled, revealing the rose design.The lower portion of the rod bent to create the hook element. Our blacksmith’s early rose hooks are on display near the second floor fireplace in Village Hotel. Perfecting the Petals Steve worked diligently to improve his rose hook technique over the next few months. During that time, news of the fascinating project caught wind around the estate. As result, eight rose hooks were soon installed in the comfortable seating area next to Village Social, located within Village Hotel. Steve peels back the petals of the roses using pliers while the metal is still red-hot to create the blooming effect. However, Steve is quick to point out that the hooks installed in Village Hotel don’t reflect one of his biggest revelations in perfecting his technique, one that actually came from his wife Kylie. “I explained to her that I was having a hard time keeping the petals open in the coiling process,” he says. “She suggested I use pliers to pull the petals back for that nice blooming effect.” Striking While the Iron is Hot Steve knew early on there was potential for his products to be sold on the estate—and Village Hotel guests were asking if the rose hooks were available for purchase on a daily basis. While Steve didn’t want to sell the product until he thought it was in its best possible form, he knew that he had to “strike while the iron is hot.” (Yes, that is a blacksmith pun, and yes, Steve is full of them.) We invite you to watch our blacksmith work and learn more about the craft in Antler Hill Barn. Hours vary seasonally. Finally, after a few months and a few hundred roses, Steve felt confident enough in the design—more specifically, in his ability to replicate the design over and over—and the product hit the shelves of The Barn Door. And the rose hooks are selling just as fast as Steve can make them. He brings a handful of rose hooks to The Barn Door every morning and they’re gone by the afternoon. In the first two weeks, the shop sold more than 50 hooks, making it their best-selling item. Our blacksmith’s rose hooks sell out incredibly quickly and because of the nature of the craft, they’re only available on the estate. As a result of this estate collaboration, the product’s footprint is almost non-existent. When a batch of rose hooks is ready, Steve simply walks them next door to be sold—no additional carbon emissions, packaging, or waste involved. The rose hooks don’t even have price tags. On your next visit to the estate, be sure to make time to visit our blacksmith Steve Schroeder at Antler Hill Barn, then pop in The Barn Door to take home a truly unique piece of Biltmore.
Date Activities for Summer at Biltmore Posted on May 23, 2022 at 12:32 pm.Written by Amy Dangelico There’s no better place to enjoy a summertime date with your sweetheart than Biltmore. Our 8,000-acre estate has a variety of activities for couples—whether you’re looking for a romantic offering or just a unique way to spend quality time with your special someone. Here are a few recommendations for planning a date to Biltmore that you won’t want to miss. 4. Reconnect amid Mother Nature Plan your Blue Ridge Mountain escape at Biltmore today! One great Biltmore date option is to explore our Blue Ridge Mountain backyard. Located in Antler Hill Village, our Outdoor Adventure Center offers a wide range of activities for reconnecting amid Mother Nature. Choose from a Private Carriage or Horseback Trail Ride, Sensory Journey Hike, River Float Trip, and more. 3. Savor Handcrafted Vintages at Our Winery Whether you’re in the Tasting Room or the Wine Bar, our knowledgeable wine experts are on hand to guide your selections. What could be more romantic that sipping award-winning wines? Another fantastic date option, a visit to our Winery is perfect for the novice and connoisseur alike. Explore our vast portfolio of reds, whites, and roses in our Tasting Room or unwind at the Wine Bar where you can savor finest reserve and sparkling wines. 2. A Thrilling New Exhibition 📷 by @heyheatherangel on Instagram | Dale Chihuly Sapphire Neon and Neodymium Reeds on Logs (detail), 2023 Biltmore, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2024 © 2023 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved. A date option that’s also a fully immersive experience: Chihuly at Biltmore. Presented in the galleries of Amherst at Deerpark®, Chihuly at Biltmore includes specially curated pedestal works, Drawings, and large-scale installations of Chandeliers, Towers, Mille Fiori, and Neon. Be transported to another world as you move through the breathtaking galleries of Amherst and in two additional locations around the estate: A Winter White and Glacier Blue Tower on the East Terrace in front of Biltmore House and a freestanding Torchlight Chandelier at the Entry Green in Antler Hill Village. 1. Stay Overnight for a True Getaway A rejuvenating couples treatment at our petite spa facility is the perfect way to end a day of estate exploration with your sweetheart. We invite you to stay overnight at one of our distinctive lodging options to transform your Biltmore date into a true getaway. Choose from the four-star luxury of The Inn, the casual comfort of Village Hotel, or the premium privacy of one of our Cottages. An added perk? Overnight stays include access to pampering treatments of The Spa Biltmore.
The Line House Cottages: A Brief History Posted on May 19, 2022 at 11:41 am.Written by Amy Dangelico Like all of the Cottages on Biltmore Estate™, our Line House Cottages offer guests a step back in time to the Vanderbilts’ era—but unlike our other cottages, these cozy historic homes also provide a special glimpse into the estate’s agricultural heritage. Archival image of the estate, c. 1906. The Line is in the foreground with the Barn to the left and the Main Dairy (what is now the Winery) in the center. Biltmore House is visible in the distance. Located just steps away from the Barn and Farmyard in Antler Hill Village, the Line House Cottages are original estate structures, part of what was once referred to as The Line. George Vanderbilt, his friend Stephen H. Olin, and two dogs walking towards the Farm Village (what is now Antler Hill Village), c. 1906. The Line is on the far left and the Barn is center-right. The four larger houses on either side of the Barn were reserved for management. According to archival records, The Line consisted of eight nearly identical cottages. Dozens of estate employees and their families called these cottages home over the years, many of whom worked as milkers at the Dairy. The beautifully updated living room in each of the Line House Cottages is the perfect place to unwind after a day spent exploring all the estate has to offer. Today, these turn-of-the-century farmhouses have been reimagined as exclusive lodging options for our overnight guests, offering premium comfort and convenience along with privacy and four-star amenities. The upstairs bedroom boasts double-window seating with ample natural light to illuminate the vintage Biltmore photographs displayed above the upholstered headboard. Each of our 970-square-foot Line House Cottages can comfortably sleep four and offers: Two bedrooms, each with a queen-size bedTwo bathrooms, each with a walk-in showerFormal living roomFull eat-in kitchenCovered front porch with pastoral viewsBack patio for outdoor dining and entertaining Imagine yourself part of this relaxing scene, sipping your morning coffee from your rocking chair on the front porch, having just woken up on George Vanderbilt’s magnificent estate. With soothing, pastoral views of our working Farmyard, these homes are a short stroll from Antler Hill Village & Winery, estate trails, and the four-star luxuries offered at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. We invited you to discover our newest lodging offering and book your stay at one of our Line House Cottages in gorgeous Asheville, NC today. Due to the historic architecture of our Vanderbilt-era Cottages, they are not accessible for guests with limited mobility.
Meet The Winemaker Who Handcrafts Biltmore Wines Posted on February 24, 2022 at 3:10 pm.Written by Jean Sexton Meet our winemaker who handcrafts Biltmore wines here at the estate in Asheville, North Carolina. With old-world skill and new-world passion for her craft, Sharon Fenchak and her team are taking Biltmore’s winemaking philosophy of creating approachable vintages to new heights in the industry. Meet Sharon Fenchak, Executive Winemaker for Biltmore In addition to handcrafting Biltmore’s award-winning wines, Sharon Fenchak’s responsibilities include oversight of Biltmore’s vineyard, partnerships with local and west coast partners, and the production team that creates more than 150,000 cases of wine annually. After high school, Sharon joined the United States Army as a Communications Specialist. While stationed in Vicenza, Italy, she discovered a new appreciation and a growing passion for wine—particularly the sparkling moscato for which the region is noted. Once she returned to the states, Sharon earned a bachelor’s degree in food science from Penn State University and a master’s degree in the same field from the University of Georgia at Athens. She worked as an assistant winemaker at Habersham Winery in Baldwin, Georgia, then became the winemaker for Chestnut Mountain Winery in Braselton, Georgia. In 1999, Sharon joined Biltmore’s winery production team as assistant winemaker, learning from veteran French winemaker Bernard Delille and leading in-house research and development for new grape-growing technology and testing grape-production methods. Sharon and Bernard shared a philosophy of creating high-quality wines that reflect true varietal character while still being food-friendly and approachable. Sharon was promoted to Winemaker in 2003 and continued handcrafting high-quality wines worthy of the finest Biltmore traditions of taste and style. When Bernard retired in 2018, Sharon became Executive Winemaker for Biltmore. Enjoy Biltmore wine on the estate and at home. Try Biltmore wines for yourself If you’re visiting Biltmore, your daytime admission ticket includes a complimentary tasting at the Winery in Antler Hill Village. Once you’ve discovered some new favorites, enjoy them by the glass or bottle at the Wine Bar or other relaxing locations around the estate. Purchase our award-winning wines in estate shops, close to home with our Wine Finder, by phone at 800-968-0558, or online.
Craft Incredible Cocktails with Biltmore Wines Posted on April 22, 2021 at 4:43 pm.Written by Jean Sexton Craft incredible cocktails with Biltmore wines and enjoy a refreshing new way to savor summer sipping on the porch, patio, or by the pool! Biltmore Basil & Bee Cocktail White Wine Mojito Cocktail Summer Riesling & Tonic Cocktail Chenin Blanc Pineapple Slushies Aperol Spritz Purchase our award-winning wines in estate shops or find a Biltmore wine retailer close to you. Biltmore Basil & Bee Cocktail Biltmore Estate ingredients shine in this craft cocktail featuring Biltmore sparkling wine, honey, and basil! When served at the restaurants on Biltmore Estate, this bright and herbal cocktail features hyper-local ingredients including Biltmore basil, honey, and sparkling wine, as well as Chemist Spirits, an Asheville favorite. Enjoy it year-round at our restaurants or follow this recipe to enjoy it at home. Ingredients: 1 ½ oz Chemist Spirits American Gin 1 oz Honey-Basil Syrup ¾ Fresh Lemon Juice 2 Dashes of Orange Bitters 2 oz Biltmore Estate® Brut *Honey Basil Syrup Recipe ½ cup Biltmore Honey ½ cup water 1 cup Basil (use large leaves for making syrup and pluck smaller leaves for garnishes) 1 Star Anise 1 Lemon peel Instructions: Prepare the Honey Basil Syrup: Simmer water and basil on low heat for 5 minutes. Add honey and stir to dissolve. Add star anise and lemon peel. Allow to cool before straining and setting aside. Add gin, lemon juice, and honey basil syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until very cold, about 30 seconds. Strain the drink into a coupe or martini glass. Top with Biltmore Sparkling Brut and orange bitters. Garnish with small basil leaves and serve. White Wine Mojito Cocktail Craft this White Wine Mojito Cocktail featuring Biltmore Estate Limited Release Sémillon for summer sipping all season long Summer is the perfect time to craft incredible cocktails featuring wines handcrafted here at Biltmore’s Winery in Asheville, North Carolina. And if you are looking for a lower-proof version of your favorites, simply switch out the spirit for a similar style of Biltmore white wine. In the case of the white wine mojito below, we swapped the traditional rum for Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Sémillon, which is a dry medium-bodied white wine with bright notes of pear and grapefruit. It makes a perfect “shady afternoon sipper” to enjoy while reading in the hammock (naps optional!). Special thanks to The Urban Gastronome for creating this recipe! Ingredients: 2 ounces dry white wine, like Biltmore’s Sémillon or Sauvignon Blanc 2 ounces Italian lemon soda ¾ ounces freshly squeezed lime juice ¼ ounce simple syrup 4 mint leaves Instructions: Muddle 4 mint leaves thoroughly in 2 ounces of white wine using a rough edge muddler. Add lime juice, simple syrup, and shake briefly on ice in a Boston shaker. Double strain into a martini glass and top with Italian lemon soda. Serve straight up with a floating mint leaf as a garnish so ice does not overly dilute the cocktail. (Muddle different types of fruit to bring new flavors to this recipe—we give you a license to be creative!) Serves 1. Summer Riesling & Tonic Cocktail Savor the flavor of your favorite fruits in this Summer Riesling and Tonic cocktail Fresh fruit and wine pair beautifully together, and warmer weather is the perfect time to experiment with your favorites and share the delicious results. Whether you’re serving craft cocktails on the patio, porch, or poolside, outdoor entertaining takes on a new meaning when you invite a special guest like rum. Yum! Special thanks to The Urban Gastronome for creating this recipe! Ingredients: 1 bottle Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Dry Riesling 8 ounces white rum 1 cup blackberries 1 cup fresh basil leaves (reserve some for garnish) 2 lemons (sliced into thin wheels and halved) Elderflower tonic Instructions: The day before you want to serve these cocktails, pour Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Dry Riesling and your choice of white rum into a pretty pitcher. Submerge several basil leaves and blackberries in the mixture and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, use your favorite glassware and build each drink with ice, blackberries, basil leaves, and a couple of lemon wheels. Fill glasses a quarter of the way with elderflower tonic, and the rest of the way with the chilled wine and rum mixture. Enjoy! Serves 6. Chenin Blanc Pineapple Slushies Treasure the tropical taste of our Pineapple Slushie Cocktail! This craft cocktail is a fun way to liven up a summer gathering. There’s a bit of nostalgia to any slushie drink, but this is definitely a grown-up version of the ones you remember from childhood! Special thanks to The Urban Gastronome for creating this recipe! Ingredients: 8 ounces of chilled Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Chenin Blanc 4 ounces chilled Plantation Pineapple Rum (used as a float) 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks 1 cup frozen mango chunks 6 ounces pineapple juice 3 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice 2 ounces ginger syrup (recipe below) 4 dashes Bittermen’s Tiki Bitters (or your favorite brand) Ice *Ginger Syrup 1 cup of water 1½ cups organic sugar 1 medium ginger root, sliced Instructions: Tip: Put wine in the freezer 30 minutes prior to mixing these cocktails. Prepare the Ginger Syrup: Place all ginger syrup ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring constantly so the sugar doesn’t burn. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 1 hour while it cools. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Makes 1½ cups of syrup. Craft the cocktails: Place all ingredients except rum in a blender. Blend until you have obtained a super slushy consistency. Pour into a glass, leaving room to float 1 ounce of Plantation Pineapple Rum on top, then garnish with extreme creativity! Serves 4. Aperol Spritz This lower-alcohol content cocktail is perfect for summertime sipping. Summertime wouldn’t be complete without a classic Aperol Spritz, highlighting the bittersweet and citrusy flavor of the namesake liqueur. While traditionally made using Italian Prosecco, any dry sparkling white wine will do the trick. Ingredients: 3 oz. Biltmore Estate® Brut 2 oz. Aperol 1 oz. soda water Instructions: Chill all ingredients and fill a wine glass with ice to chill before you begin. Add sparkling wine, Aperol, and soda water to the chilled glass and gently stir to combine. Garnish with a freshly sliced orange wheel, if desired. Tip: If you find the cocktail is too bitter or too sweet for your taste, you can easily adjust the ratio of ingredients.
The Dairy Foreman’s Cottage: A Brief History Posted on April 13, 2021 at 5:09 pm.Written by Amy Dangelico There’s a new overnight offering at Biltmore—a cozy, casual home in a peaceful woodland setting. Introducing the freshly renovated Dairy Foreman’s Cottage on Biltmore Estate™, an historic structure, reimagined to offer today’s guests an oasis of service, style, and charm. In honor of this exclusive new lodging option, let’s take a step back in time for a closer look at the history of this unique Biltmore residence. A Family Home for Estate Workers Originally labeled a “Dairy Worker’s Cottage,” this welcoming home was one of five identical houses designed by Asheville architect Anthony Lord in 1935 for Biltmore Dairy employees and their families. According to archival correspondence from the time, the cottage was built for $535 with materials provided by the estate. The earliest archival photo of the Dairy Foreman’s Cottage (center of image, top of hill), ca. 1940 One of the first families to live in this house was likely the Allen family in the late 1930s or early 1940s. Ernest Allen brought his family to the estate in 1927, and over his 38 years of employment at Biltmore, primarily as a Farm Foreman, they lived in seven different estate residences. Ernest’s daughter Martha Allen Wolfe recalled in a 2016 interview with our Oral History Program that they had indoor plumbing and electricity while growing up in the Dairy Foreman’s Cottage. Archival photo believed to be the Dairy Foreman’s Cottage, ca. 1950 Even with seven brothers and sisters, she remembered the home as being very comfortable. Her brothers slept upstairs, and apparently, they would secretly climb out of the windows at night, engage in some youthful mischief, and then sneak back in the same way. One of her brothers was Bill Allen, who would eventually follow his father’s footsteps and have a 45-year career at Biltmore—first as Farm Manager and later Vineyard Manager. Martha said of the Dairy Foreman’s Cottage, “We loved it, and it was home.” The cottage’s gorgeous gourmet kitchen features stainless steel appliances. New Life for an Old Cottage Today, this 1,778-square-foot home has been beautifully updated with modern touches. Accommodating up to six guests, the cottage offers three bedrooms with a king-sized bed in each as well as a pullout sofa in the reading room. And there’s plenty of room for entertaining: an open kitchen that extends to dining and living areas, a formal sitting room, a screened-in back porch, and an outdoor dining patio. The charming front porch offers a secluded oasis of rest and relaxation. The Dairy Foreman’s Cottage puts you just steps away from quiet nature trails, made lush by original forest plantings that contributed to the estate’s National Historic Landmark designation as the birthplace of American Forestry. This welcoming abode is also located within walking distance of lively activity in Antler Hill Village, tastings of award-winning wines at our Winery, and the luxurious amenities offered at our four-star Inn. For your next getaway, we invite you to make the Dairy Foreman’s Cottage your home away from home. Delight in the privacy of one of the most exclusive and customized lodging experiences the estate has to offer. Book your stay today.