Choose Biltmore’s Most Aromatic Wines for Spring

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Spring is the perfect time to choose Biltmore wines, especially if you want to savor the “scent-sations” of our handcrafted varietals that complement the fresh and fragrant aromas of the season.

From soft floral notes like those of a vintage perfume to bright hints of fruit and spice, these wonderful wines will take your senses on an aromatic adventure!

Ladies enjoying a warm weather picnic with wine at Biltmore House
Enjoy warm weather sipping with your favorite aromatic Biltmore wines by the glass or bottle!

Here are our top recommendations for which Biltmore wines you should choose this spring to experience the essence of the season. 

Biltmore® Masterpiece Collection White Wine

A bottle of Biltmore Masterpiece Collection White Wine with four glasses and a bouquet of sunflowers.
Aromatic and refreshing, our 2025 Biltmore Masterpiece Collection White Wine is perfect for spring sipping!

Versatile and food-friendly, our Biltmore® Masterpiece Collection White Wine is a perfect partner for breezy brunches, lunches, and picnics.

The label, featuring original artwork by artist Bryan Koontz of Weaverville, NC, captures the vibrant sunflowers we plant each year to delight you (along with our birds, bees, and butterflies!). 

PAIRING TIP: Savor our Masterpiece Collection White Wine with a wide range of options including fish tacos, prosciutto-wrapped fruit and cheese, baked brie with strawberry jam, and pound cake with fresh berries.

Biltmore Estate® Sauvignon Blanc

Uncork a bottle of this crisp and refreshing white wine and you’ll encounter bright citrus aromas that speak to the return of warmer weather.

PAIRING TIP: With fresh peach flavors and an elegant finish, our Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect partner for light spring and summer fare such as goat cheese, salads, and seafood.

Pack a bottle of Biltmore wine for your next spring picnic–Gewurtztraminer is always a good choice!

Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Gewürztraminer

Highly expressive aromas reminiscent of spring’s lightly-sweet blooms give way to lush flavors of spice, fruit, and floral notes.

If you’ve ever wondered what to pair with spicier foods, this aromatic wine is surprisingly simpatico with dishes that generate a bit of heat.

PAIRING TIP: pick up your favorite Asian and Indian cuisine and uncork a bottle of our Limited Release Gewürtztraminer.

Red wines aren’t just for winter–enjoy sipping them in every season, including spring!

Biltmore Estate® Sangiovese

If you think red wines are too heavy for the season, just breathe in the elegant cherry aromas of our Sangiovese and you’ll imagine you’ve been transported to spring in the Italian countryside!

The taste—full-bodied with ripe berry flavors intertwined with hints of chocolate—will make you glad you thought outside the red-wine-in-winter box.

PAIRING TIP: For spring, serve our Sangiovese with lighter fare inspired by its Italian origins, including mushroom risotto and pasta with red sauce.

Pas de Deux Sec is perfect for pairing with classic desserts or creating sparkling cocktails!

Pas de Deux® Sec

Semi-sweet and bursting with tiny bubbles, this delightfully aromatic sparkling wine features the essence of orange blossom and flavors of wild strawberry and lemon.

It smells and tastes as if we captured a perfect day in spring and bottled it for you to sip and savor.

PAIRING TIP: Serve Pas de Deux Sec with classic desserts like pound cake and fresh strawberries–or enjoy it in sparkling cocktails! 

A man and woman with a picnic in a vineyard.
Spring picnics pair perfectly with your favorite aromatic Biltmore wines!

Stock up on aromatic spring favorites!

We hope this round up of Biltmore’s most aromatic wines helps you breathe new life into your spring wine adventures!

Find all our award-winning wines online and through your local retailers.

Highlights From Our 2019 Vineyard Harvest

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In 2019, Biltmore’s vineyard produced 177.5 tons of grapes on approximately 45 acres of mature vitis vinifera vines—that’s almost double last year’s output.

Biltmore vineyard supervisor Philip Oglesby
Biltmore vineyard supervisor Philip Oglesby

“Harvest began on August 22, and that’s the earliest start I remember in more than 20 years,” said Philip Oglesby, Vineyard Supervisor. “We picked until October 11, and the weather cooperated with long, hot, dry days that allowed the grapes to mature to their full potential.”  

With an average yield of more than four tons per acre, our 2019 harvest can be considered one of the best in recent memory.

Picking red grapes at Biltmore
Grapes being picked by hand in Biltmore’s vineyard

Quantity and quality

In addition to the quantity, the quality of fruit produced in 2019 was outstanding. Weather played an important role in the process as relatively mild spring temperatures gave way to the kind of hot, dry summer conditions that create earlier-than-normal ripening times.

Biltmore Reserve Chardonnay North Carolina
Grapes for our Biltmore Reserve wines are grown at the estate or selected from local partners

“As always, we look forward to the fine wines that will be handcrafted following the harvest—especially our Biltmore® Reserve wines that are created from estate-grown grapes,” Philip said. “This special designation represents our finest local vintages and our continued commitment to our agricultural heritage.”

Highlights from Biltmore’s vineyards: 

  • Cabernet Franc                                                         37 tons on 8.2 acres
  • Cabernet Sauvignon                                              32 tons on 10.2 acres
  • Chardonnay                                                            103 tons on 25 acres
  • Merlot  5.5 tons on 1.2 acres

Total: 177.5 tons on 44.6 acres

Highlights from our partner vineyards

Grapes ripening in Biltmore's vineyard
Grapes ripening in Biltmore’s vineyard

Washington:

Biltmore winemaker Sharon Fenchak selected approximately 160 tons of grapes from the state of Washington (America’s second largest producer of wine grapes), with average brix (measurement for the number of grams of sugar present per 100 grams of liquid) around 25, which is comparable to last year.

  • September was very rainy and a hard freeze in early October preventing the grapes from ripening further.
  • Varietals: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petite Verdot, and Tempranillo.
  • Increased selection by 12% compared to 2018.
Clusters of ripe red grapes in Biltmore's vineyard
As the grapes ripen in our vineyards, the fruit must be protected from uninvited guests such as robins, geese, and turkeys.

California:

Sharon selected approximately 25 different varietals from multiple growing regions throughout the state with an average brix of 23, which was slightly higher than 2018. 

  • Arroyo Seco, CA
    • Approximately 18,000 acres located along the central coast in Monterey County.
    • Cold winter, mild-but-wet spring, and a few summertime heat spikes left grapes with a little more hang-time and a later harvest by about 2–3 weeks.
    • Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Mendocino County, CA
    • North coast; 14, 512 acres includes 10 different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) with very diverse climates.
    • Wet spring and late bud break gave way to moderate weather for most of the growing season; yields were light-to-average, with good fruit quality for the vintage.
    • Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
  • Russian River Valleyin Sonoma County, CA
    • About 15,000 acres of vineyards; known for cool-climate grapes.
    • Heavy rain in late winter and a wet spring led to a moderate yield with a good and healthy crop.
    • Varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. 
    • We selected about 120 tons of fruit from the region, with the majority being Pinot Noir, of which about half will be handcrafted to become Vanderbilt Reserve wines.
Pouring one of our unique varietals--Biltmore Estate Limited Release Tempranillo--into a glass.
Our Biltmore Estate Limited Release Tempranillo features classic earthy aromas, rich dried fig flavors, and lingering tannins.

Savor Biltmore Wines

Whether you’re visiting the estate and enjoying complimentary tastings at our Winery or stocking up on your favorite varietals in your neighborhood or online, we invite you to savor our award-winning wines today!

Crowdsourcing Biltmore’s 2019 Christmas Wine Labels

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Thank you for enjoying this archived information about our 2019 Christmas at Biltmore wine labels!

Ready to pour on the cheer this holiday season? We’re excited to share the process of crowdsourcing our 2019 Christmas at Biltmore® Wine labels!

“In previous years, we held a competition for artists to share their interpretation of what Christmas at Biltmore means to them,” said Jill Whitfield, senior wine marketing manager. “We chose several finalists, then asked our online audience to vote for their favorite design.”

Crowdsourcing for creativity

In 2018, Biltmore Wines decided to shake things up a bit. Instead of asking artists to submit their work, they asked our Facebook followers to help them develop that year’s Christmas label, one step at a time.

It worked so well that we decided to repeat the process of crowdsourcing our 2019 Christmas at Biltmore Wine labels.

Creating mood boards

Mood boards with frosty and cozy themes

Mood boards featuring #Frosty and #Cozy elements

“First, we worked with Biltmore’s art team to create a pair of mood boards,” Jill explained. “One featured #Frosty elements including a palette of cool, wintry colors and silvery metallics. The other was #Cozy, with warmer tones and sparkling gold ornaments. We then posted them on Facebook and asked our fans and followers to vote for their favorite mood.” 

Setting the tone

For the second phase of voting, Lisa Vogel, Art Director, pulled together two “tone” boards so voters could choose between themes representing a #Vintage look represented by an old-fashioned Christmas card and a #Modern look with a clean graphic feel.

Facebook fans liked both of the themes, but their final preference was for #Vintage.

Theme boards with #Modern and #Vintage elements

Boards with #Contemporary and #Vintage themes

Crowd favorite

With the mood and theme decided, it was time to get Asheville artist Jeff Pittman involved in the project. He drew inspiration from the boards to create two representations of Biltmore on which Facebook followers would have the final vote.

Both #Vista and #Reflections were popular, but #Reflections—featuring the west façade of Biltmore House on the hill above the Lagoon—was the winner.

Jeff refined the initial #Reflections painting he created with more detail and a few more festive touches. “Everyone loved both of Jeff Pittman’s offerings” said Lisa, “but I think it may have been the peaceful pair of Canadian geese crossing the Lagoon that made #Reflections such a crowd favorite!”

Paintings showing different views of Biltmore House

Jeff Pittman’s two representations of a Biltmore Christmas scene

Creating original artwork

What happened next?

“Jeff went to work in his studio,” Lisa said, “and created the final artwork that would become the labels for our 2019 Christmas at Biltmore Red Wine and Christmas at Biltmore White Wine.”

Asheville artist Jeff Pitman painting the 2019 Biltmore Christmas Wine label

Jeff Pittman at work on the 2019 Christmas at Biltmore Wine label

The finished label celebrates the natural splendor of this special season at Biltmore. 

“The voters made it clear what they wanted,” said Jill, “and that’s why crowdsourcing is such a great way to engage your audience—it gives your most loyal followers a voice in what you’re creating for them.”

Finished painting for the 2019 Biltmore Christmas wine label

Finished artwork in Jeff’s studio.

    Pour on the cheer with Biltmore wines

    Christmas tree with Biltmore wines and desserts

    Choose any of our fine wines for holiday celebrations

    Purchase any of our fine wines at estate shops or online. 

    Decanting Downton

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    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.

    Archival list of winter wines in Biltmore's wine cellar
    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

    Formal place setting on the Banquet Hall Table in Biltmore House
    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.

    Glass and silver wine decanter
    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.”

    Mariporta dessert wine on a tray with glasses
    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.”

    Celebrate with Biltmore sparkling wines
    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

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    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.

    Glass of Wine at Vineyard
    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.”

    Grape harvesting
    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.”

    Biltmore Wine Selection of Reds
    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.

    California Vineyard Stock Photo
    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.”

    Washington Vineyard Stock Photo
    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.”

    White Wines
    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.

    Summer Entertaining in 3 Easy Steps: Chill, Grill, and Thrill!

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    Summer entertaining is as easy as chill, grill, and thrill!

    Summer entertaining with the Vanderbilts

    Ladies enjoying a warm weather picnic with wine at Biltmore House
    Enjoy warm weather sipping with your favorite aromatic Biltmore wines by the glass or bottle!

    At Biltmore, summer entertaining was a favorite pastime for the Vanderbilts and their guests.

    From birthday parties in the Rose Garden to picnics on the grassy slopes of Mt. Pisgah, warm weather offered the perfect excuse to leave formal dining behind and enjoy a gathering in the great outdoors.

    Chill, Grill, and Thrill

    Inspired by their example, here are three easy “chill, grill, and thrill” steps to simplify your summer entertaining whether you’re in the kitchen, on the porch, by the pool—or wherever your plans take you.

    Summer entertaining in 3 easy steps: chill, grill, and chill
    Chill out with a hearty red wine like our Biltmore Estate Limited Release Malbec and round out the easy meal with a green salad

    1) CHILL

    First, let’s start with an easy recipe for Grilled Skirt Steak with Tomatillo Salsa created by our Biltmore chefs to take advantage of summer’s bumper crop of tomatillos and heirloom tomatoes.

    Grilled Skirt Steak with Tomatillo Salsa

    Ingredients
    2 pounds trimmed skirt steak (can substitute 4 ribeye steaks)

    10 fresh tomatillos, husks removed and tomatillos quartered
    8 cloves fresh garlic
    3 green onions, roughly chopped
    1 large shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
    1 bunch fresh cilantro with stems and leaves
    1 bunch parsley with stems and leaves
    1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
    3 tablespoons salt
    1 tablespoon ground black pepper
    1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional; use to taste)
    1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

    Optional for serving: heirloom tomatoes, quartered; olive oil; fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste

    Method
    The salsa doubles as a marinade for the steak, so prepare it first by combining tomatillos, garlic, onions, shallot, herbs, seasonings, and olive oil in a blender and blending until smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup of the tomatillo salsa for garnish.

    Place steak and marinade in a large zip-top bag and allow to marinate for 1–3 hours in the refrigerator.

    Tips for chilling

    2) GRILL

    Grilled steak and heirloom tomatoes
    Grilled Skirt Steak with Tomatillo Salsa

    Grill marinated steaks on medium-high heat for 3–5 minutes on each side for medium-rare. When done to your liking, remove steak from the grill and put it on a clean cutting board or platter to rest while you finish the rest of your preparations.

    Tips for grilling

    • While the grill heats, prepare a green salad to accompany the meal.
    • After the steak is done, split and toast a couple of baguettes on the still-hot grill to serve with the salad (and soak up those heirloom tomato juices).

    3) THRILL

    Summer sipping outdoors with Biltmore wines
    Enjoy summer sipping and entertaining outdoors with your favorite Biltmore wines

    Slice the steak and top with reserved salsa.

    Dress quartered heirloom tomatoes with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Arrange around the steak.

    Tips for thrilling

    • Bring the entire entrée to the table on the cutting board—no need to transfer to another dish.
    • Use a chiller filled with a mix of ice and water to keep your wine cool, especially if you’re eating outdoors.

    Gather your guests

    Friends toasting with red wine
    Cheers to the chill, grill, and thrill of summer entertaining

    Enjoy the chill, grill, and thrill of summer entertaining—plus delicious dining—done the easy way!

    Discover more delicious Biltmore recipes and find our award-winning wines online.

    Sip Biltmore’s Rosé Wines!

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    If you think rosé wines are overly sweet or just a little too pink, think again—they are one of the hottest trends among wine aficionados at the moment.

    For some enthusiasts, rosé wines might have been seen as lightweight or unworthy of sipping or sharing.

    That view is changing, however, as winemakers take rosé to a crisper, dryer level that may surprise you.

    Biltmore Reserve North Carolina Rosé Wine

    Biltmore Reserve North Carolina Rosé in the Walled Garden
    Nothing could be finer than sipping our Biltmore Reserve North Carolina Rosé with all your favorite flavors!

    Biltmore Winery cultivates a number of varietals in our estate vineyards, and each season we hope to craft Biltmore Reserve wines that reflect the distinctive terroir of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

    According to Sharon, the only wines considered for the Biltmore Reserve wine label are those handcrafted from grapes grown in Biltmore’s own estate vineyard and by our North Carolina partners. By law, wines with an appellation and vintage date must contain at least 75% of grapes from the specific region in the year noted.

    “Our Biltmore® Reserve North Carolina Rosé is crafted from select North Carolina Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes,” noted Sharon. “We’ve coaxed beautiful color and subtle complexity from the fruit, so you can expect aromas of banana, strawberry, and papaya followed by crisp, off-dry flavors of lemon, white peach, and hints of minerality that lead to a fruity finish.”

    Approachable and easy to drink, it’s perfect year-round with charcuterie, mustard-glazed salmon, pesto pizza, smoked gouda cheese, and holiday favorites like glazed ham.

    “Make it a go-to wine for brunch, porch sipping, and your next Taco Tuesday featuring fish tacos drizzled with lime juice,” Sharon said.

    Sweet, dry, and sparkling: savor all of our Biltmore rosé wines!

    Biltmore Winery host offers Biltmore Rosé wine to a guest.
    Visit Biltmore’s Winery for a complimentary tasting of our award-winning wines.

    In addition to Biltmore® Reserve North Carolina Rosé, we also offer delightful options like Biltmore Estate® Sweet Rosé—a lightly sweet rosé with delightful scents of cherry, spice, candied watermelon, strawberry, and rhubarb, followed by juicy flavors of jellied pâte de fruits, lime, and mint. This wine is surprisingly versatile, pairing deliciously with a wide range of foods including barbecue, hot and sour soup, figs, and olives.

    Our Biltmore Estate® Dry Rosé is an elegant and refreshing wine with a subtle, fruit-forward bouquet featuring notes of nectarine, grapefruit, hibiscus, and hints of pink peppercorn. Soft and nicely balanced in its sweetness to acidity, this rosé offers delicate flavors of cherry, apricot, and raspberry.

    Enjoy it year-round with light favorites like grilled chicken, Caesar salad topped with salmon, strawberry pecan salad, or baked brie with apricot jam.

    For a sparkling wine as delicious as it is beautiful, try our coral-hued Biltmore Estate Blanc de Noir wine handcrafted from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes in the traditional méthode champenoise that creates the finest tiny bubbles.

    Crisp and refreshing, with flavors of wild strawberry and watermelon, this versatile Biltmore sparkling wine pairs perfectly with an antipasto platter, smoked turkey, shrimp ceviche, watermelon-feta salad, and angel food cake with strawberries. It’s ideal for brunch, lunch gatherings, and holiday festivities.

    Glass of rosé wine with olives and bread.

    Enjoy Biltmore rosé wines and more

    Purchase our rosés—or any of our award-winning wines—at Biltmore Winery, estate shops, online, or through our Retailer Locator.

    Pairing Our Gardens with Biltmore White Wines

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    Looking for expert advice in selecting wines for spring entertaining? Be inspired by our playful pairing of our beautiful gardens with Biltmore white wines!

    Biltmore Reserve North Carolina Rosé in the Walled Garden
    Nothing could be finer than sipping our Biltmore Reserve North Carolina Rosé with all your favorite flavors!

    Outdoor entertaining with Biltmore Wines

    From patios to picnics to pool parties, here’s a basic tip on serving and appreciating wine outdoors in spring:

    “Just follow the ‘20-Minute Rule’,” said Spencer Knight, Winery Tours Supervisor. “Remove white wine from the refrigerator 20–30 minutes prior to serving so the flavor profile has a chance to expand.”

    Ice bucket full of Biltmore wines.
    Put Biltmore wines on your “bucket list” for spring and summer sipping!

    According to Spencer, it’s also a good idea to return open wine bottles to a container of ice and water between refills, especially if you’re entertaining outside in warmer weather.

    Pairing Biltmore white wines with our historic gardens

    Bottle of Biltmore white wine with a white Adirondack-style chair.
    Enjoy warm weather sipping with your favorite aromatic Biltmore wines by the glass or bottle.

    In addition to pairing the distinct “personalities” of Biltmore’s historic gardens and grounds with our refreshing white wines, you’ll also find suggestions for white wine pairings with your favorite seasonal flavors.

    Diana at Biltmore

    The statue of Diana overlooking Biltmore House is a hidden gem in the landscape.
    Statue of Diana overlooking Biltmore House

    This elegant site overlooking Biltmore House offers a classic setting that calls to mind Biltmore’s outstanding sparkling wines.

    Brighten any special occasion with our Pas de Deux® Sec—handcrafted in traditional méthode champenoise to create fine, tiny bubbles.

    This aromatic semi-sweet sparkler features the essence of orange blossom and flavors of wild strawberry and lemon. Enjoy with fresh fruit, chocolate covered strawberries, and cheesecake. 

    Spring in the Shrub Garden

    Olmsted planned colorful blooms for spring in Biltmore's Shrub Garden
    Colorful spring blooms in Biltmore’s Shrub Garden

    Savor the beauty of Biltmore’s Shrub Garden—a picture-perfect pairing for Biltmore Estate® Riesling as the wine’s fresh and fragrant style is reminiscent of early-blooming spring shrubs.

    Beautifully balanced with sweet apricot aromas, light honey flavors, and a crisp finish, Biltmore’s Riesling makes a surprisingly delicious companion to spicy Thai dishes as well as fruity desserts.

    A classic wine pairing for the Walled Garden

    White wisteria blooming in Biltmore's Walled Garden
    White wisteria blooming in the Walled Garden

    Stroll the paths of this grand garden and enjoy the sun-warmed stone walls that enfold you with tradition, much like the classic taste of our Biltmore Estate® Chardonnay. 

    Smooth and balanced with subtle floral aromas, crisp fruit flavors, and hints of oak, Biltmore’s Chardonnay shines when served with favorites including chicken and grilled vegetables, pasta with cream sauce, and even hard-to-pair fare like squash dishes.

    Our Rose Garden paired with a special rosé

    Roses blooming in Biltmore's Rose Garden
    Biltmore’s historic Rose Garden in front of the Conservatory

    Biltmore’s rambling rose garden is a perfect match for our Biltmore® Reserve North Carolina Rosé.

    Crafted from select North Carolina Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, our pretty-in-pink rosé blossoms with beautiful color, layered aromas, and flavors of red berries, tropical fruits, and a hint of spice. Enjoy with cheese plates and pizza. 

    Pairing our Masterpiece Collection White Wine with the Azalea Garden

    Azaleas blooming in late spring
    Azaleas blooming at Biltmore in late spring

    The informal feel and bright colors of the Azalea Garden make it a natural match for our fragrant and food-friendly Biltmore Masterpiece Collection White Wine, available this spring in estate shops and online.

    Handcrafted to capture the essence of the season, this is the perfect wine for warmer weather and picnics. You can also spice up spring by pairing it with zesty sausage and Indian food!

    Enjoy Biltmore white wines this spring
    Pair Biltmore wines with all your favorite flavors this spring

    Savor Biltmore wines now

    Whether you’re stocking up on favorite varietals or trying new ones, you can purchase Biltmore wines online or close to home through our Retailer Locator.

    Discover Biltmore White Wines

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    Discover Biltmore white wines, handcrafted in every flavor profile from crisp and dry to juicy and sweet, plus special tips to help you make a great choice, every time.

    Discover all Biltmore white wines at Biltmore's Wine Bar
    You’ll find all our Limited Release wines at the Wine Bar adjacent to Biltmore’s Winery.

    Biltmore Century Sweet White Wine

    Century White Wine with pumpkin pie
    Century Sweet White Wine pairs perfectly with spicy dishes and desserts

    One of our best-selling white whites combines Gewürztraminer, Muscat Canelli, and Riesling grapes in a fragrant, semi-sweet blend that refreshes with a tropical twist.

    Biltmore Century Sweet White Wine is a great introduction to several different white grape varietals, and it pairs surprisingly well with many of your favorite foods such as shrimp and Asian and Vietnamese cuisine. 

    Tip: A good sweetness-to-acidity ratio is the secret to pairing semi-sweet wines with surprisingly spicy foods.

    Biltmore Estate Chardonnay

    Woman enjoying Biltmore Estate Chardonnay
    Biltmore wines are perfect for warm weather sipping!

    One of the most familiar white varietals is Chardonnay. Generally well-suited to absorb the vanilla and other characteristic flavors imparted by aging in oak barrels, Chardonnays often mature into grand wines with a rich, buttery flavor.

    Tip: Malo-lactic fermentation, a process in which the sharper-tasting malic acid in wine is converted into lactic acid, gives wines a more rounded, buttery taste without necessarily aging the wine in oak barrels.

    Discover Biltmore white wines like our Reserve Chardonnay
    Biltmore Reserve Chardonnay is handcrafted from grapes grown on the estate and by our local partners

    Try all three of our Chardonnay options: Biltmore Estate Chardonnay, our Biltmore Reserve Chardonnay North Carolina, and our Antler Hill Chardonnay Los Carneros.

    Biltmore Estate Chenin Blanc

    Biltmore Chenin Blanc in ice bucket
    Biltmore Estate Chenin Blanc on ice

    This varietal originated in the Loire Valley of France and might be considered a “low maintenance” grape that tends to be hearty and not too temperamental as it grows and ripens.

    A slightly sweeter white varietal, our Biltmore Estate Limited Release Chenin Blanc is a great choice for sipping by itself as well as enjoying with goat cheese, fresh fruit, and Asian cuisine. 

    Tip: Although delicious on its own as a still or a sparkling wine, because of its fairly consistent acidity, you may find Chenin Blanc added to other white wine blends to improve their taste and character.

    Biltmore Estate Pinot Grigio

    Bottles of Biltmore Pinot Grigio
    Savor refreshing Biltmore Estate Pinot Noir with seafood and other rich flavors

    Pinot Grigio is generally known as a white varietal, yet the grape itself is actually a dusky, pinkish, blue-gray color. Some wines produced from it may take on a pinkish tone.

    It has become one of the most popular white varietals in recent years because it tends to please most palates and pair well with a wide range of foods.

    Biltmore winemaker Sharon Fenchak handcrafts our Biltmore Estate Pinot Grigio to bring out its slightly spicy, citrusy qualities. Enjoy it with ricotta cheese, pasta with cream sauce, ham, ravioli, crab, oysters, salmon, and shellfish.

    Tip: Try sipping a glass of our Pinot Grigio before a seafood meal—its crisp, refreshing taste helps open and prepare your palate to savor those particular flavors.

    Biltmore Estate Riesling

    Discover Biltmore white wines for outdoor entertaining
    George Vanderbilt’s legacy of gracious hospitality lives on with Biltmore wines handcrafted from grapes grown in the estate’s own vineyard or selected from trusted west coast partners

    Originally from Germany, Riesling is a versatile grape that is crisp yet semi-sweet. Our Biltmore Estate Riesling features nicely balanced fruit flavors with acidity and exotic floral notes.

    Tip: Love sushi but can’t imagine pairing anything besides sake with it? Try our Biltmore Reserve North Carolina Riesling made from grapes grown here at the estate.

    Biltmore Estate Sauvignon Blanc

    Savor in place with Biltmore wines and charcuterie
    Pair Biltmore wines with your favorite comfort foods!

    Sauvignon Blanc is a dry, crisp wine that suggests elegant pairings plus the ability to stand up to complex layers of taste in rich seafood such as crab, oysters, scallops, lobster, and shellfish.

    Tip: Sauvignon Blanc (also known as Fume Blanc) is generally very acidic and is often characterized by hints of grass in the nose and the taste.

    Our Biltmore Estate Sauvignon Blanc has been awarded Best of Class in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and received 88 points & Best Buy from the Beverage Testing Institute.

    Biltmore Sparkling Wines

    Celebrate with Biltmore sparkling wines
    Our handcrafted Biltmore bubbles make any occasion more special

    Sparkling wines are traditionally crafted from white grapes such as Chardonnay and Petite Meunier. Biltmore is one of only a handful of wineries that produce both still and sparkling wines, including our finest Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blancs.

    Tip: Pair our bubbly and festive Pas de Deux Moscato with a rustic apple tart—you’ll be amazed at the way the flavors come alive!

    Purchase Biltmore white wines now

    Purchase any of our fine wines in estate shops, online, or with our Wine Finder.

    Our Unique Varietals Spice Up Your Wine Selections

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    Ready to spice up your wine selections with unique varietals?

    From classic favorites to special blends, Biltmore handcrafts a wide range of award-winning wines.

    Unique varietals of Biltmore wines by the bottle and by the glass.
    With such a wide variety of award-winning offerings, you’re sure to find a Biltmore wine to please every palate.

    Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon tend to be the best-selling white and red varietals around the world—and we create excellent versions of each at Biltmore Winery—but what lies beyond these household names?

    Let’s take a look at some of the more unique varietals we offer.

    Viognier: crisp and refreshing

    Couple drinking white wine

    Although its roots are firmly planted in southern France, this white varietal is now grown around the globe—as long as the climate offers warm weather for growing and cool nights to protect Viognier’s moderate acidity.

    Based on variables ranging from the terroir of a vineyard to production and aging, Viognier can be lighter with more hints of fruits and flowers, or deeper and creamier with flavors of vanilla and spice.

    “As soon as you uncork our Vanderbilt Reserve® Virginia Viognier, handcrafted from grapes selected from premium vineyard partners in Virginia, you’ll enjoy rich scents of pineapple, vanilla, and ripe pear,” said Sharon Fenchak, Executive Winemaker. “This light-to-medium-bodied white wine features crisp and refreshing with flavors of plantain, ripe persimmon, and key lime.

    Versatile and food-friendly, Biltmore’s Virginia Viognier pairs perfectly with dishes like pineapple chicken, sweet-and-sour pork, monkfish, and aged white cheddar, making it an excellent choice for a nice dinner with friends.

    Tempranillo: fruit forward and earthy

    Pouring one of our unique varietals--Biltmore Estate Limited Release Tempranillo--into a glass.
    Our Biltmore Estate Limited Release Tempranillo features classic earthy aromas, rich dried fig flavors, and lingering tannins.

    Most of the world’s Tempranillo is grown in Spain where it is believed to have originated, but this earthy red wine is rapidly gaining a following around the globe.

    “Tempranillo has a lot of personality,” said Sharon, “and our Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Tempranillo is no exception. I start with grapes selected from partner vineyards in California to craft a full-bodied and fruit-forward wine with earthy aromas, rich dried fig flavors, and lingering tannins—just what you’d expect in a classic barrel-aged Tempranillo.”

    Enjoy this full-bodied red wine with classic dishes like grilled steak, smoked ribs, and blue cheese, or honor the varietal’s old-world roots with rabbit paella and ratatouille. Elegant enough for special occasion dinner parties and hostess gifts, this Tempranillo also has good aging potential.

    “When I discover exceptional grapes from one of our west coast growers, it inspires me to create distinctive wines for our Limited Release series,” Sharon said. “It’s usually a smaller amount of fruit, and that gives my production team an opportunity to really bring out the qualities of the varietal.”

    Chenin Blanc: lightly sweet and versatile

    Glass of white wine with sushi on a black plate.
    Our Limited Release Chenin Blanc pairs perfectly with sushi and spicy Asian flavors.

    One of our guests’ favorites and a best-seller at Biltmore’s Winery, Chenin Blanc is a versatile white wine that can range from lightly sweet to quite dry, depending on the vintage and the style of winemaking.

    “Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Chenin Blanc reflects the sweetness of the grape, which is very popular in the Winery’s Tasting Room. With floral aromas of key lime, lilac, and honeysuckle followed by lightly sweet flavors of ripe melon and lemon-lime, guests can easily imagine sipping it during a relaxed evening at home,” said Sharon.

    “Think of our Chenin Blanc as a ‘secret weapon’ for pairing with sweet-and-sour dishes and spicy Asian cuisine,” Sharon said. “Those are not easy flavors to complement, but this wine has enough acidity and sweetness to make it work.”

    In addition, Sharon suggests trying it with appetizers like prosciutto-wrapped honeydew and bang-bang shrimp, main dishes such as sushi, and desserts including peach cobbler à la mode and Biltmore® Vanilla Bean cheesecake.

    Enjoy all our award-winning Biltmore wines!

    Couple drinking Biltmore wine
    Enjoy Biltmore wine on the estate and at home.

    Whether you stick to your favorites or explore any of our unique varietals, you can stock up on our award-winning wines at estate shops, online, or close to home with our Biltmore Wine Finder.