Biltmore Test Vineyard Offers a Grape Escape

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

Ready to plan your next friends’ getaway? Look no further than Biltmore Estate, located in Asheville, North Carolina!

View of Biltmore House from French Board River in Asheville, NC
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

The Inn and Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate
With so much to see and do at Biltmore during your getaway, stay overnight at The Inn (above), Village Hotel (below), or one of our private historic cottages to ensure you have time to experience it all.

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!

Gather your group together for a round of drinks at Cedric’s Tavern® in Antler Hill Village.
There’s no better place to enjoy a girls’ getaway your way than at Biltmore in Asheville, NC!
Include relaxing activities like yoga in your getaway at Biltmore.
There’s no better time for a getaway than Christmas at Biltmore–especially when you include a reservation for a Candlelight Christmas Evenings visit!
Located at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, the Spa Biltmore is available to all overnight guests–and we won’t tell if you schedule some self care in the midst of your friends’ getaway!
Bring everyone along for a view of Biltmore House from the comfort of horse-drawn surrey.

Sip award-winning vino

Girlfriends' getaway with wine
Cheers to any girls’ getaway or gathering of friends that includes Biltmore wines!

Wake up your taste buds with your best buds during a visit to Biltmore’s state-of-the-art Winery. Reserve 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
Biltmore is the perfect place for a friends’ getaway, a family reunion, or a long mother-and-daughter weekend to reconnect with each other in a beautiful setting.

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.

Sunflowers blooming at Biiltmore
Enjoy a later-summer getaway with a sea of sunflowers blooming at Biltmore!

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!

A group of men and women enjoy a friends' getaway at Biltmore
Gather your friends together at Biltmore and celebrate time well spent at this magnificent mountain destination!

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 Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius, which is the final experience in our Legends of Art & Innovation at Biltmore series.”

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!

Scene from Leonardo da Vinci -- 500 Years of Genius at Biltmore
Now through February 20, 2023, include a visit to Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius, created and produced by Grande Experiences, in your friend’s getaway plans at Biltmore.

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!

Top 5 Winter Activities for Overnight Guests

While winter is Biltmore’s most peaceful season, it still offers plenty to do for overnight guests! Whether you’re interested in escaping the cold or exploring the estate, here are our top 5 winter activities:

Biltmore Red Wine & Chocolate tasting setup
Enjoy a specialty experiences like our Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting offered daily at the Winery

5. Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting

One of Biltmore’s most popular Specialty Wine Experiences, our Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting is a lovely opportunity to stay warm. Sip your way through a number of our red varietals paired with locally produced artisan chocolates from French Broad Chocolate and discover why each is a heavenly match.

Falconry is a Top 5 Winter activity at Biltmore
Explore the thrilling art of falconry at Biltmore

4. Falconry

Discover the ancient art of falconry on Biltmore’s historic grounds. Learn how to handle a trained hawk or falcon, then experience the inimitable thrill of a raptor flying to and landing upon your gloved hand. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with one of these majestic birds of prey–it’s sure to become one of your favorite winter activities.

West facade of Biltmore House in snow
Guided Hikes take place Thursday–Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

3. Guided Hikes

If you’re feeling adventurous despite the lower temperatures, bundle up for one of our Guided Hikes—offered exclusively to overnight guests. Choose from the moderate to fast-paced Trail Blazers or the more relaxed River Stroll and spend time enjoying the long-range views that winter brings to Biltmore.

Biltmore Blacksmith at work
Blacksmith Demonstrations are offered Thursday–Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2. Blacksmith Demonstrations

While strolling through Antler Hill Village, be sure to make your way to the Barn to see our incredible Blacksmith Demonstrations. Not only is it fascinating to watch our blacksmith work—it’s also quite cozy in the Smithy Shop. For a memento of your visit, check for hand-forged items at The Barn Door shop located next door.

Van Gogh Alive multi-sensory experience
A guest explores Van Gogh Alive, created and produced by Grande Experiences

1. Van Gogh Alive

And finally, the must-see event at Biltmore this winter is Van Gogh Alive, created by Grande Experiences and hosted at our event center on the grounds of the estate.

Described as “an unforgettable multi-sensory experience,” Van Gogh Alive is a powerful and vibrant symphony of light, color, sound, and scent that compels you to leave the world behind and immerse yourself in Van Gogh’s paintings. Simultaneously enchanting, entertaining, and educational, Van Gogh Alive stimulates all the senses and opens the mind.

Explore Biltmore this winter!

Stay overnight at one of our distinctive properties to ensure you have enough time to experience all of the top winter activities the estate has to offer. For the ultimate escape, consider one of our special overnight packages.