5 Reasons You’ll Want to Visit Biltmore This Winter

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Whether you’re traveling with your family or sweetheart this season, here are our top 5 reasons why you’ll want to add a peaceful and restorative winter visit to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, to your travel plans.

Cattleya Mary Schroder orchid in Conservatory
Orchids inside Biltmore’s Conservatory, like this Cattleya Mary Schroder orchid, reach peak bloom during winter months.

5. Discover our great indoors

There’s no better way to shake winter’s chill than with a tropical excursion through Biltmore’s historic Conservatory, located a short distance away from Biltmore House. As a bonus, orchids reach peak bloom during the winter months, so guests are in for a real treat as the Orchid Room boasts a vibrant collection of over 500 plants.

The indoor adventure continues with guided tours of Biltmore House, such as the Exclusive 90-Minute Guided Tour: Guests of the Vanderbilts for fascinating stories and rarely-accessed areas of the home, the Rooftop Tour for long-range views and unique perspectives on the design of Biltmore House, or the Backstairs Tour for an in-depth look at what it was like to work in America’s Largest Home over a century ago.

Tip: Tours and activities offered are subject to change. Please check our Activities listings for the most current and accurate offerings for your winter visit.

Enjoy our Red Wine and Chocolate Tasting featuring premium Biltmore wines and artisan chocolate truffles from French Broad Chocolates. 📷 by @chelseaericasmith & @thewineshutter

4. Sip our favorite winter wines

In addition to enjoying a Complimentary Wine Tasting at our award-winning estate Winery during a winter visit, consider booking one of our most popular specialty wine experiences, our Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting. Sip, swirl, and savor your way through a curated selection of our hearty red wine varietals paired with locally produced artisan chocolates from French Broad Chocolate and discover why each is a heavenly match.

Cozy up with your sweetheart at our Wine Bar and enjoy our favorite red, white, and sparkling winter varietals by the glass or bottle. At our Wine Shop, you can restock your cellar while marveling at the stunning blown-glass Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier by world-renowned artist, Dale Chihuly, on display.

Couple hiking near The Inn on Biltmore Estate during the winter season
Wintertime offers spectacular long-range mountain views from the trails and meadows on our private estate.

3. Outdoor adventure awaits

Bundle up and experience the breathtaking beauty of George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre mountain estate! Choose from guided activities, such as hikes, river strolls, horse-drawn carriage rides, and falconry, or embark on your own to explore our 22 miles of private nature trails and acres of historic gardens.

If a more restorative getaway is what you’re longing for, consider unique estate activities such as forest bathing, nature journaling, guided yoga and meditation, or even bird-watching!

Tip: New this winter season, all Biltmore House admission tickets include FREE next-day grounds access, which means you have even more time to explore all that the estate has to offer!

Biltmore Blacksmith at work
Watch our blacksmith work and learn more about the craft in Antler Hill Barn. Hours vary seasonally.

2. Make your way around Antler Hill Village

This European-inspired village boasts unique opportunities to learn more about Biltmore’s farming legacy and the Vanderbilt family, shop for momentos to remember your winter visit to Biltmore, and savor field-to-table flavors at our estate restaurants… all in one convenient location!

While exploring Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village, be sure to make your way to the Barn to see craft demonstrations from our regional and estate history. Not only is it fascinating to watch artisans like our resident blacksmith at work—it’s also quite cozy in the Smithy Shop.

West facade of Biltmore House in snow
While snowfall isn’t common in our area, it is a spectacular treat when the estate is blanketed in white.

1. Wake to an 8,000-acre winter wonderland

Discover just how restorative and romantic a winter visit to Biltmore Estate can be with an overnight stay! Imagine waking up with tranquil Blue Ridge Mountain beauty, world-class hospitality, and all of our top wintertime activities just outside your door.

All this and more is available when you plan your winter visit now to experience Biltmore’s most peaceful season with the lowest rates of the year on admission and special overnight packages. To experience the grandeur of Biltmore all year long plus exclusive discounts and perks, consider joining our Annual Passholder family.

A Grand Transformation: The Inn on Biltmore Estate

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After more than 20 years of award-winning excellence, The Inn on Biltmore Estate® is undergoing an inspiring two-year renovation with a complete redesign of guest rooms, suites, and corridors.

Take a closer look at the exciting renovations of our four-star Inn and discover the design inspirations that celebrate Biltmore’s storied legacy and the intentional design elements of Biltmore House while maximizing guest comfort.

The redesign of The Inn’s guest corridors, rooms, and suites draws inspiration from distinctive architectural details, artwork, and furnishings throughout Biltmore House.

Drawing from America’s Largest Home

The Inn on Biltmore Estate’s redesign was developed in partnership with the acclaimed global design firm, ROAM Interior Design. The aesthetic is a present-day take on classical European style, incorporating distinctive details drawn from the design, intention, and collection of Biltmore House paired with luxurious amenities for today’s guests.

With no detail overlooked, The Inn’s guests will appreciate elements drawn from Biltmore House throughout their stay including bold, nature-inspired wall coverings by William Morris, embossed leathers, quatrefoil designs, carved wood detailing, elegant brass fittings, and artwork recreations from George Vanderbilt’s collection—such as architectural drawings of Biltmore House, animal prints, and floral paintings.

The Inn on Biltmore Estate® has been awarded Forbes Four-Star recognition for 23 consecutive years.

Crafting a Vanderbilt-Inspired Retreat

Blending harmoniously with The Inn’s French chateau-inspired design and drawing from the timeless elegance, eclectic collections, and storied history of Biltmore House, the redesign of the guest rooms and corridors invites you to experience a present-day interpretation of being a welcomed guest of the Vanderbilt family.

Each space will feature design elements such as elegant wall coverings and furnishings, hardwood floors, expansive windows, well-appointed amenities, and spa-style bathrooms to create a private sanctuary for your stay.

In addition to a warm and welcoming appearance, our guest rooms have been redesigned to improve the use of space, combining function with luxury for guest comfort.

Rendering by ROAM
Inspired by the Bachelor Wing of Biltmore House, The Inn’s King Rooms feature rich layers of patterns and blue hues reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. (Rendering by ROAM)
ROAM design rendering of The Inn's Double Rooms
The Inn’s Double Rooms draw inspiration from Edith Vanderbilt’s Parisian years and feature light shades of blush and ivory. (Rendering by ROAM)
ROAM design rendering of The Inn's James Suite
Each of The Inn’s light-filled Suites, such as the James Suite rendered here, features a themed design scheme highlighting the Vanderbilt family, distinguished friends of George Vanderbilt, and a love of nature. (Rendering by ROAM)

Welcoming Guests During Renovations

The Inn on Biltmore Estate remains open during the renovation, which is set to be completed in two stages from January through March of 2024 and 2025.

The first set of The Inn’s newly renovated rooms is available now for spring and summer 2024 stays!

To protect the guest experience for which this destination is known, all of our four-star amenities and services will remain available for our guests and work will occur during daytime hours in unoccupied areas of the hotel. Guests who prefer alternative accommodations are invited to book their estate stay at one of our private Cottages or Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate®.

“Guests who are familiar with The Inn will be especially delighted by the beautiful updates and thoughtful changes we’ll be making to further enhance your experience every time you join us for a memorable getaway,” says Charles Thompson, Vice President of Resort Experience.

We look forward to sharing this inspired transformation with you.

Biltmore Test Vineyard Offers a Grape Escape

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Our test vineyard, located below The Inn on Biltmore Estate®, offers an easy “grape escape!”

Biltmore’s main vineyards are planted on the west side of the estate in an area not normally seen by guests. Opportunities to visit them are limited, but you can get a sneak peek at growing grapes by visiting our test vineyard.

Plantings in the test vineyard

Test vineyard above the Winery at Biltmore
Rows of vines (far left) show the location of the test vineyard between The Inn and the Winery.

According to Philip Oglesby, Vineyard Supervisor, this small display area was planted by the Vineyard team in 2000 to offer guests at the Winery and The Inn an opportunity to see first-hand how Biltmore wine grapes are grown.

There were two acres of plantings originally, but a small portion was removed to make room for the walking path between The Inn and Winery once The Inn was finished in 2001.

“Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape of choice for the test vineyard because that varietal had already proved hardy in our main vineyards,” said Philip. “We have experimented with other varietals like Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah at times to see how a particular grape performed in our climate, but Cabernet Sauvignon is still the primary variety you’ll find in this little vineyard.”

Discover each season in the test vineyard

Biltmore test vineyard offers a grape escape
The test vineyard gives guests an opportunity to see how grapes are grown at Biltmore.

Since the test vineyard was developed, guests have been able to see a small-scale version of the grape-growing process in each season, from caring for the vines in winter to bud break in spring and ripening fruit during the summer.

Each fall, the grapes in this small vineyard are harvested for use in Biltmore wines. It typically takes Philip’s harvest crew of approximately 30 people one full day to pick the grapes by hand and bring them down to the crush dock behind the Winery.

Protection from predators

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.

Today’s visitors will notice a fence around the vineyard—it was added to keep deer from damaging the plants and fruit. In addition to keeping the deer out, Philip’s crew places netting on the vines in August every year to prevent bird damage.

“We have to keep birds—especially robins—out of the vineyard or else we would have nothing left there,” said Philip. “Birds aren’t usually a big deal for the west side vineyards during most years, and I honestly do not know why they like to pick on the little Test Vineyard so much!”

For the main vineyards on the west side, Philip’s team has to contend with damage by geese (and turkeys, to a lesser extent), which can lead to fairly significant crop loss.

“During years when there are fewer wild berries and seeds, I have noticed that smaller birds will also seek out grapes as an alternate food source on the west side, but this is not a frequent problem,” said Philip.

Plan your own grape escape now!

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

Visit Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, and see the test vineyard for yourself. Make it a real “grape escape” with overnight accommodations at The Inn, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, or one of our private historic Cottages on Biltmore Estate™.

Featured image: The Inn on Biltmore Estate above the test vineyard

Plan a Friends’ Getaway at Biltmore

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Ready to plan your next friends’ getaway? With 8,000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain beauty to explore, there’s no better destination for your next friend’s getaway than Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.

“Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want uninterrupted time to reconnect with someone special, anytime is a perfect time to plan a friends’ getaway with us,” said Beth Poslusny, General Manager of Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate®.

“We’ve hosted girls’ getaways, guys’ getaways, bachelor and bachelorette parties, retreats for sororities and fraternities, reunions with high school classmates, and long weekends with multi-generational family members reconnecting, and everything in between,” Beth said. “There is never a shortage of activities to help you enjoy your time together here at Biltmore!”

Stay at Biltmore for your friends’ getaway

@worldofwanderer
Experience a four-star getaway with your girlfriends at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. 📸 by @worldofwanderer

A friends’ gathering just wouldn’t be the same without late-night reminiscing and storytelling. Book a room at any of Biltmore’s distinctive lodging properties so the good times can continue!

Visit Tip: Try Village Hotel for convenient access to Antler Hill Village & Winery, The Inn on Biltmore Estate® for a luxurious, four-star experience, and for groups of four to five friends or family members, consider one of our private historic Cottages on Biltmore Estate™—the ultimate way to experience our 8,000 acres like a guest of the Vanderbilts.

Sample some of these friends’ getaway ideas!

Enjoy morning beverages at The Inn on Biltmore Estate before starting the day. 📸 by @chelseaericasmith and @thewineshutter
Exploring Biltmore House with your gal pal is a must-do. 📸 by @jasmineling
Make lifelong memories with mother and daughter getaway during Christmas at Biltmore. 📸 by @consistentlyketo
Sip on your favorite sparkling wines while overlooking Antler Hill Village. 📸 by @grapechic

Sip award-winning vino

Savor award-winning wines with your friends at Biltmore’s Winery and Wine Bar. 📸 by @shelbyywiggins

Did you know that there is an award-winning winery on Biltmore Estate?

Wake up your taste buds with your best buds during a visit to Biltmore’s state-of-the-art Winery. Enjoy a complimentary wine tasting in our Tasting Room, then linger at the adjacent Wine Bar to sip something special together—perhaps one of our handcrafted sparkling wines.

Before you go, visit the Wine Shop to stock up on the vintages that pleased your palate most so you can enjoy your favorites at home.

Visit Tip: If you missed snagging the perfect wine, find it online at biltmoreshop.com, or consider joining the Vanderbilt Wine Club® so you’ll receive seasonal shipments all year round to remind you of your fabulous friends’ getaway!

Capture moments that matter

Mother and daughter enjoy a friends' getaway moment in front of the Conservatory at Biltmore
Mother and daughter enjoy a special moment in front of the Conservatory at Biltmore. 📸 @sincerelydeidra

Don’t forget to capture photos together for a special way to document the smiles that only a special getaway together can bring.

Picturesque locations abound at Biltmore for the most casual or frame-worthy images. Have a Biltmore team member snap a picture for you, or use Frederick Law Olmsted’s majestic landscape designs as a breathtaking backdrop.

Our historic gardens and grounds offer stunning photo opportunities in every season, and the Conservatory features year-round tropical treasures under its grand glass roof.

Visit Tip: To capture memorable pics with your besties in late summer and early fall, look for swathes of glorious golden sunflowers along the road to Antler Hill Village.

Plan your friends’ getaway at Biltmore today!

@chelseaericasmith-and-@thewineshutter
Plan a weekend getaway with your girlfriends to Biltmore. 📸 by @chelseaericasmith and @thewineshutter

Uninterrupted escapes with the special people in your life lead to laughter-filled hours, story-worthy scenarios, and closer relationships. There is no better location than Biltmore when you’re ready to hit the “pause” button on life and make meaningful memories with those you love most.

“Check Biltmore’s website for special offers such as the Morning at Biltmore package at Village Hotel,” Beth said. “It comes with a fascinating pre-opening tour of Biltmore House, plus admission to Italian Renaissance Alive, which is the final experience in our Legends of Art & Innovation at Biltmore series that you simply do not want to miss.”

Visit Tip: Planning to spend multiple days at the estate? Consider becoming a Biltmore Annual Passholder to take advantage of the exclusive benefits we reserve just for Passholders, like bringing your children 16 and younger with you for free, plus special discounts on shopping, dining, activities, and overnight stays at our two hotels!

Gather your friends together at Biltmore and celebrate time well spent at this magnificent mountain destination! 📸 by map.wanderer

With everything there is to see and do at Biltmore, we invite you to make a long weekend of your friends’ getaway so you’ll have plenty of time to explore, discover, and reconnect here in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Visit Tip: Whether you’re driving or flying into the Asheville area, we generally enjoy good weather most of the year with colorful springs, warm summers, cool autumns, and mild winters, so don’t hesitate to plan your friends’ getaway at Biltmore Estate in any season!

Share your memories with Biltmore!

During your next trip to Biltmore with your friends, be sure to tag @biltmoreestate #biltmore for a chance to be featured on our official accounts.