Gift giving with Biltmore Wines? Wrap it up! Posted on October 28, 2025 at 1:58 pm.Written by Jean Sexton When holiday gift giving includes Biltmore wines, wrap them up with the following easy DIY options from an estate expert so everyone on your list will know how much they mean to you! Make gift giving more meaningful Share the gift of Biltmore wines this holiday season! After her 23-year career in floral design at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, Hope Wright offers easy options for wrapping bottles of Biltmore wine and wine-themed items to make your gift giving even more meaningful. Dress up a plain wine gift bag with a bright bow and a tassel or other ornamentation. “I love Biltmore wines and I often give them as gifts, especially during the holiday season,” said Hope. “And while there’s nothing wrong with simply placing a bottle of wine in a gift bag, it’s also nice to wrap it in a creative way that says ‘you’re special’ to your recipient.” Timeless natural elements “Here are two easy ideas that look beautiful using a little bit of ribbon and the kind of greenery you can often cut from your own backyard or local park,” Hope said. “It doesn’t take much to make a big impact.” Crown of ivy Craft a simple “crown of ivy” to adorn the top of a wine bottle. Clip an 18-inch strand of fresh ivy. Wrap it several times around the neck of the wine bottle, tucking the end of the vine into itself to keep it in place. Choose a narrow, patterned ribbon to tie a simple shoestring-style bow and attach it to the ivy crown with wired twine. As a finishing touch, clip the ends of the ribbon bow to a length you like and wind the ends of wired twine into a few whimsical tendrils that complement the ivy. Expert tip: Attach the bow off center so the wine label shows prominently.Wine suggestion: Biltmore Estate® Dry Rosé offers delicate flavors of cherry, apricot, and raspberry, and the soft coral color shows off natural elements like the crown of ivy to perfection! This gift-wrapping treatment couldn’t be more simple or more beautiful! Ribbon wrapping Wrap a length of burlap ribbon around the wine bottle just below its mid-section, making sure not to cover up the label. Choose a different type of ribbon to tie a simple bow around the bottle, centering it over the first ribbon for contrast. Once you have the ribbons and the bow in place, tuck in any type of greenery you like. Expert tip: Use two different colors of greenery to create more interest and texture. Consider arborvitae (shown here), sprigs of ivy, or twigs with berries—the possibilities are endless! Wine suggestion: Like all of our exceptional Biltmore® Reserve wines, Biltmore® Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon North Carolina is handcrafted from estate-grown grapes, making it a great way to incorporate local items into your holiday gift giving. Wrap up holiday gift giving To wrap these wine bottles for gift giving, Hope used the same wrapping technique on each of them, but varied the wrapping material and trimmings. Taste of travel Create serious travel vibes by wrapping a bottle of Biltmore wine in a vintage map. For the travelers on your gift list, wrap a bottle of wine in a vintage map, like this one that Hope found in a thrift store. For an eco-friendly option, you could also opt for recycled brown craft paper or upcycled paper shopping bags. Select a map or or other interesting paper that’s at least 24″x 24″. Place the wine bottle in the center of the map and pull it up , twisting the material around the neck of the bottle. Knot a length of raffia around the neck of the bottle. Finish the look with a simple ribbon bow in a contrasting color. Expert tip: Once you’ve tied the raffia and ribbon, tuck in a bit of fresh greenery for some holiday flare.Wine suggestion: This journey-themed gift wrap pairs perfectly with Ventágeo® Red Dessert Wine that was inspired by George Vanderbilt’s world travels! Gift giving in grand style Look for rich fabric remnants to repurpose as gift wrap for bottles of Biltmore wine. “In addition to vintage maps, I look for beautiful fabric remnants that will make gorgeous gift wrap for wines,” said Hope. “Simply wrap the bottle, then tie a coordinating ribbon around the neck–that’s all you need to make it special.” As a bonus, Hope created an elegant pine tassel to set off the regal look of this wine gift: Clip enough white pine needles to get a full-looking tassel Hot glue the tops of the needles together. Bind the top with narrow wired craft twine to hide the glue. Expert tip: While binding the top of the tassel, make a loop of the wired craft twine to go around the neck of the bottle.Wine suggestion: Complement the grand style of this tasseled gift wrap with a bottle of our glorious Biltmore Estate® Château Reserve North Carolina Brut Red Sparkling or award-winning Biltmore Estate® Château Reserve North Carolina Blanc de Blancs. Both are handcrafted in the traditional méthode champenoise from estate-grown and locally sourced grapes. Step-by-step: tea towel gift wrap To gift wrap a wine bottle in a tea towel, follow the easy steps shown here. “Look at each of steps shown in this instructional collage,” Hope said, “and you’ll see how easy it really is to gift wrap a wine bottle in a tea towel!” Choose a Biltmore holiday-patterned tea towel or one that matches your gift recipient’s kitchen colors. Lay the bottle in the middle of the towel about half-way down as shown in the step-by-step collage. Bring the bottom half of the towel up to partially cover the bottle. Fold the right corners in on each other like an envelope and roll the “envelope” ends around the bottle. Fold the bottom left edge of the towel like an envelope to create a pretty pleat in the fabric and finish rolling the towel around the bottle. Tie a length of wired silk ribbon into a bow around the neck of the bottle and fluff the ends of the tea towel for fullness. Expert tip: To make the gift twice as nice, add a Biltmore Christmas ornament to the bottle. Wine suggestion: Keep them guessing until the last minute when they unwrap their gift to discover an exception bottle of The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County or other favorite Biltmore wine vintage. Gift giving: bundles and baskets Bundle several items with a similar theme, like a stylish cheeseboard, a bottle of Biltmore wine, and a selection of our delicious gourmet mixes and dips. Wrap up a bountiful bundle “Here’s an easy way to create a bundle of gifts that share a common theme,” said Hope. Choose a sturdy cheeseboard and secure a bottle of Biltmore wine to it with a ribbon. Add a stack of Biltmore’s delicious gourmet food mixes and dips to the board and tie a wide ribbon around the whole bundle. For an extra surprise, turn a set of cheese knives and spreaders into a special topper for the bundle. Expert tip: Tuck a few sprigs of fresh rosemary around the knives and spreaders in a crowning touch that pulls the culinary theme together and smells wonderful! Holiday hospitality in a basket Surprise someone special with a gift basket filled with Biltmore sparkling wine, gourmet food, and other goodies. Who wouldn’t want to receive a basket of holiday hospitality full of Biltmore wine and gourmet goodies, especially when it is embellished with fresh greenery and ribbons? Choose a medium-sized basket that would easily hold a collection of holiday goodies like a bottle of Biltmore sparkling wine, a selection of Biltmore mixes and dips, Wassail Drink Spice, seasonings and sauces, and a holiday tea towel. Line the basket with any type of recyclable packaging paper, and tuck in a few cardboard risers to keep smaller items from falling to the bottom. Arrange everything to your satisfaction, then fill in the background with magnolia leaves and pine cones or other greenery. Expert tip: Wire an elegant ribbon bow to the basket’s rim, and balance the look with a Biltmore Christmas ornament on the other side.Wine suggestion: Christmas at Biltmore® Sparkling Wine is perfect for all holiday celebrations and special occasions. Make holiday gift giving more merry! Wrap up your gift giving with Biltmore wines, and consider including a bottle of our sparkling grape juice for those who prefer that option. “All the ideas I’ve shown here easy to recreate,” Hope said, “and that was my goal. I hope you’ll be inspired to surprise friends and family with special touches like these that infuse your holiday gift giving with extra meaning.” Wrap up your holiday gift giving with Biltmore wines. Find everything you need to celebrate the season in style, including Biltmore wines, Biltmore sparkling grape juice, and gourmet foods, at estate shops and online.
Visit itinerary: Family fun guide to Biltmore Posted on June 1, 2024 at 9:00 am.Written by Amy Dangelico Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, is a family-friendly destination all year long! Every visit to our 8,000-acre retreat unveils new wonders and activities to enjoy. Whether you’re strolling through our historic gardens or exploring the halls of Biltmore House, endless opportunities to create lifelong memories await. Make the most of your family vacation with our top recommendations for Biltmore’s family favorite activities that are sure to please your entire clan, from grandparents to grandchildren. The 250-room chateau includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces! 😮 🏰 Explore Our Castle While it’s not technically a castle, kids (of all ages) love exploring and learning about the history, gargoyles, and grandeur of Biltmore House. Get ready to see the look of awe and wonder on your little one’s face as they explore America’s largest home! Tip: Let Cedric, the Vanderbilts’ Saint Bernard, take the lead as he narrates our kid-friendly audio guide! This entertaining 50-minute tour guides young guests through the amazing rooms of Biltmore House while sharing stories about the Vanderbilts and life in America’s Largest Home®. Audio guides are included with all admission types. A rainy day is no match for the captivating “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures” exhibition. ©Theodor Oskar Krath 💡 Experience An Awe-Inspiring Discovery Ignite your family’s imaginations as you explore the mysteries of one of the world’s most iconic discoveries with a visit to Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures in Amherst at Deerpark®. Bring out the inner archaeologist in your kids as they explore the wonders of a real-life treasure hunt! As enriching and educational as it is unforgettable and fun, you won’t want to miss the chance to pair Biltmore’s exclusive estate experiences with your immersive journey to the Valley of the Kings as you discover King Tut’s tomb. Tip: “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures” is an awe-inspiring experience for families and guests of all ages! Meet our working farm animals at the Farmyard in Antler Hill Village! 🐥 Family Fun at the Farmyard Bring your kids to meet our kids at the Farmyard in Antler Hill Village! From learning about the working farm animals that are a part of our agricultural history at the Farmyard to handicrafts demonstrations and seasonal activities offered at The Barn nearby, your kiddos will have plenty to choose from for engaging and educational fun. Our Farm to Table Tour & Taste experience (available exclusively to overnight guests and Passholders) offers even more in-depth discovery of Biltmore’s farming legacy and how that connects to our modern field-to-table philosophy. Tip: Did you know that Biltmore Annual Passholders can bring their kids ages 16 and younger to enjoy Antler Hill Village for free year-round? Explore Biltmore’s 8,000-acre Blue Ridge Mountain backyard! 🥾 Explore Our 8,000-acre Backyard! With 8,000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain backyard, you’ll never run out of places to explore at Biltmore! Enjoy more than 22 miles of hiking trails along the French Broad River, through lush green forests, or in the open meadows of the estate. Whether you’re up for the excitement of sporting clays, falconry, or venturing out on guided nature experiences (or all three!), visit the Bike Barn in Antler Hill Village to reserve activities that are fun for the whole family. Tip: Activities offered may sell out or have specific dates and times offered, so we strongly recommend checking our current offerings online and making reservations in advance to ensure availability during your visit. Visit the Bike Barn for a detailed trail map and orientation to the trails. Try all the ice cream treats, including this delicious Winkie Bar Sundae served in a waffle bowl 🍦 Savor Our Favorite Flavors Around the estate, you’ll find delicious treats that will please the whole family, like signature ice cream sundaes, smoked barbeque sandwiches, mouthwatering hot dogs, and even wine for the grown-ups and grape juice for the kiddos at the Winery! Did you know that the vanilla ice cream served on the estate is based on a delicious original Biltmore Dairy recipe? With a visit to the Biltmore Dairy Bar® near Biltmore House and the Creamery in Antler Hill Village, you and your family can cool off while enjoying the same richly flavored frozen treat savored by estate guests more than a century ago! Tip: Take your treats to-go from the Creamery or other restaurants in Antler Hill Village and enjoy on the nearby Village Green where you can cut a rug to live music at the bandstand! Bring the whole family along on your next biking adventure at Biltmore. 🚲 Have Fun Biking for All Ready to explore our wide-open spaces on two wheels? You’re welcome to bring your own bikes in tow or visit the Bike Barn in Antler Hill Village and choose from a selection of rentable mountain bikes for rugged trails or e-bikes and comfort cruisers for paved paths. Tandem rentals are also available, so the younger members of the family can join the fun. Tip: Consider a guided bike ride or other outdoor activities for more exciting ways to explore our 8,000-acre estate! Make a splash with a family-friendly stay at Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate! 📷 Make it a Family Getaway to Remember Truly get away by extending your Biltmore visit with an overnight stay at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, or our private historic Cottages on Biltmore Estate. Become a Biltmore Annual Passholder and enjoy year-round visits and exclusive member discounts on special events, dining, and more. Lifelong memories are made at Biltmore. 🗺️ Discover Even More of Biltmore Every day’s an invitation to vacation like a Vanderbilt at Biltmore! Embrace the vibrant blooms of spring, soak up the leisurely days of summer, marvel at the rich tapestry of fall’s changing leaves, and bask in the warm, twinkling glow of Christmas. Each season invites you to make new lifelong memories with your family. In addition to our top family-favorite activities, we invite you to explore all of our activities currently offered so you can make the most of your quick getaway, family vacation, or long holiday weekends to Biltmore!
Decanting Downton Posted on August 20, 2019 at 1:51 pm.Written by Jean Sexton Downton Abbey: The Exhibition ended September 7, 2020. Please enjoy this archived content. In honor of hosting Downton Abbey: The Exhibition through September 7, 2020, we thought it would be fascinating to look at Downton Abbey—and Biltmore’s own history—through the lens of a wine bottle. A thoughtful collector We know that George Vanderbilt was a thoughtful wine collector in his own right, and he also relied upon the services of professional wine purveyor Alexander Morten who was well-known for his excellent taste and recommendations. To learn more about the process of procuring and preparing wines in the late 19th century, we turned to Jeff Plack, business development manager for Biltmore Wines and a wine aficionado in general, to “pour out” what he knows about the subject. March 12, 1913: list of wines in Biltmore’s cellar The business of wine “I love the fact that in the new Downton Abbey feature film–and in many episodes of the six-season PBS Masterpiece series—the characters were sipping wine at some point,” said Jeff. “Wine consumption was a direct measure of one’s wealth in that era and it was not unusual for large estates to have thousands of bottles in their cellars. At that time, the wines were mostly French.” Jeff explains that Mr. Carson, the Crawley family’s beloved butler in the series, would have been largely responsible for the wines served at Downton Abbey. “The family might have taken an active interest in wine,” Jeff said, “but the butler was generally the person who oversaw the supply and prepared the wines for the dinner table. Decanting wines This formal place setting on the Banquet Hall table features six pieces of crystal, including a champagne coupe and a cordial glass for port or sherry In one episode of the series, Carson is seen decanting wine using an interesting contraption. “It’s appropriately called a decanting machine or cradle,” said Jeff. “The cradle holds the wine as someone turns a crank which slowly pours the wine out of the bottle.” In the scene, Carson is using a lighted candle behind the bottle to help him see any sediment in the wine. This technique, along with a piece of muslin over the decanter, would help filter out impurities. (Note: the featured image for this blog shows the decanting cradle in Mr. Carson’s pantry as part of Downton Abbey: The Exhibition currently hosted at Biltmore.) The circle of wine For wealthy households like the one depicted in Downton Abbey, the variety of wines consumed at dinner made a circle of sorts. A delicate silver and glass wine decanter from the Biltmore collection “Evenings would usually begin with port or sherry and possibly a glass of champagne as an apéritif,” said Jeff. “Each subsequent course of the dinner would be paired with a different wine.” Our Mariporta is a port-style dessert wine reminiscent of the ones the Vanderbilts might have enjoyed According to Jeff, wine pairings were different than the ones we make today. A common practice of the era was to serve a white Burgundy (generally a Chardonnay) with the first course and then a red Bordeaux with the main meal. “It was less about the science of which wines ‘go with’ or complement which foods, and more about wines that they preferred,” Jeff said. “For dessert, they would move back to something like port, similar to our Mariporta Red Dessert Wine, and then end with sparkling wine again; a happy circle of wine life.” Our handcrafted Biltmore bubbles make any occasion more special With modern winemaking techniques, we no longer need to use decanting machines and filters, and though we enjoy pairing wines based on qualities such as acidity and tannins, we also love complementing favorite flavors with wines we enjoy. Savor Biltmore Wines Join us at the Winery for complimentary tastings of our award-winning wines. You can purchase Biltmore wines at most estate shops or online. In addition, experience Downton Abbey: The Exhibition hosted in two locations on estate grounds, November 8, 2019–April 7, 2020.
Discover Biltmore Wines From Grape to Glass Posted on July 30, 2019 at 1:55 pm.Written by Jean Sexton How do we select the finest fruit for Biltmore wines? Here’s an overview of the process, from grape to glass! Sourcing fine North Carolina vintages In his book Lady On The Hill, George Vanderbilt‘s grandson William A.V. Cecil noted that “Asheville was about the same latitude as Gibraltar in the Mediterranean, and with an altitude between 2,100 and 2,500 feet, the fields of the estate would enjoy warm days and cool nights in the summer.” While the climate of Western North Carolina is not nearly as predictable as that of the Mediterranean or other major grape-growing regions, when conditions are right, the fruit produced in our estate vineyards is exceptional and earns the Biltmore® Reserve label for our finest North Carolina vintages. To ensure we can meet the growing demand for Biltmore wines, however, we also look to our local vineyard partners in Polk County—a lower-elevation region just south of Asheville that experiences slightly warmer temperatures with less danger of late season frost damage. Enjoy the fruits of our labor, by the glass, on the Farm to Table Tour. Beyond Biltmore We also look to our west coast partners for the quality and consistency of grapes needed to handcraft our award-winning wines. Several times each year, Biltmore winemaker Sharon Fenchak schedules extended visits to California to meet with our growing partners and select outstanding vintages for Biltmore wines. “Some of the finest American wine grapes come from the vineyards of coastal California,” Sharon said. “The terroir—the different combinations of weather and soil in each hill and valley—translate into the distinctive flavors and qualities that characterize the wines of that region.” Harvest preparation is one of the busiest times of the year for vineyards and the wineries. California’s Northern Coast This large wine grape-growing region is located north of San Francisco, with a maritime climate that is affected by cool fogs and breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Some of California’s best-known American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), including Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Lake County, Napa, and Russian River Valley, are located here. “This AVA is an important one for our Vanderbilt Reserve® series,” said Sharon. “We select grapes from outstanding partner vineyards for some of our most distinctive wines, including our Vanderbilt Reserve Merlot Dry Creek Valley, Vanderbilt Reserve Pinot Noir Sonoma County, Antler Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, and The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County.” Our Biltmore® Reserve label honors fine vintages handcrafted with grapes from the estate’s vineyard in Asheville, NC. The collection is distinguished by blue foil capsules and a label showcasing elements of the Vanderbilt family’s table linens and place settings. California’s Central Coast Stretching from San Francisco Bay south to Santa Barbara County, this region offers a warmer climate that still benefits from the cooling influences of the Pacific Ocean. We partner with vineyards from such prestigious AVAs as Arroyo Seco, Cienega Valley, Monterey, and Paso Robles. “Some of the more unusual varietals we choose from partner vineyards here include Barbera, Marsanne, Mourvedre, Rousanne, and Tempranillo,” Sharon noted. The central coast wine region is one of California’s most fascinating wine regions and is also home to some of the most prestigious wineries in the country. Washington A wide range of grapes are now being grown in the fertile valleys of Washington, making the state an important producer of outstanding wine varietals. Vineyards are found primarily in the eastern half of the state that benefits from a dryer shrub-steppe ecosystem and the rain shadow of the Cascade Range. The state experiences long hours of daylight—approximately two more hours per day during the growing season than California—and milder, more consistent temperatures. “We are excited to be working with some great partner vineyards in Washington,” said Sharon. “We’re selecting a lot of excellent grapes for our American Series and Limited Release Series wines.” With 1,050+ wineries, 400+ grape growers, and 60,000+ acres of wine grapes, Washington State is the 2nd largest wine producing state in the U.S. Handcrafting our award-winning wines While Sharon and her team handcraft the majority of our wines from start to finish at Biltmore’s Winery in Asheville, North Carolina, our Vanderbilt Reserve® wines and Antler Hill wines are created in the particular region where they were grown. This painstaking process is overseen—from selecting the vintage and expressing the varietal character to aging the wine—by Sharon during her visits to California. “All our wines represent the Vanderbilt family’s legacy of gracious hospitality on which Biltmore was founded,” Sharon said, “and as Biltmore’s winemaker, I am committed to handcrafting our wines with the philosophy of keeping each one true to varietal character and consistent from vintage to vintage. Whether I’m at work in North Carolina or California or Washington, I’m focused on creating wines that reflect the quality of this family-owned estate and Winery.” Beautifully balanced Dry Riesling, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, refreshing Pinot Grigio, and smooth, oaky Chardonnay are just a few of the white wines available in Biltmore’s Wine Portfolio. Discover our exceptional wines for yourself Visit Biltmore’s Winery, purchase online, or find them close to home with our Retailer Locator.