Top Five Christmas Activities for Overnight Guests Posted on October 7, 2020 at 9:28 am.Written by Amy Dangelico From the decked halls of America’s Largest Home® to all that our lively Antler Hill Village has to offer, there’s so much to see and do during the holiday season at Biltmore. That’s why we’ve narrowed down some of our favorite Christmas activities to help you plan your visit. Take a look at our top five Christmas activities for overnight guests on Biltmore Estate. Bundle up and embrace the crisp air as you take in the gorgeous long-range views. 5. Relax with a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride Keep cozy with a horse-drawn carriage ride across the estate. Select either a private or group experience and escape the season’s hustle and bustle to enjoy our 8,000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain wintertime beauty. We have a variety of shops by Biltmore House and in Antler Hill Village to meet all of your holiday shopping needs. 4. Shop for Everyone on Your List From unique and inspiring Christmas decorations and locally crafted stocking stuffers to toys for the kids or award-winning Biltmore Wines for your next holiday gathering, our exclusive estate shops truly offer something for everyone. Treat yourself to an elegant meal of expertly prepared cuisine with world-class service. 3. Dine in our Four-Star Dining Room Nothing says “special occasion” quite like an evening meal in The Dining Room. Be sure to make reservations early so you can savor this award-winning culinary experience at the most exclusive restaurant on the estate. Guests enjoy the magical, gently illuminated atmosphere in Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village. 2. Stroll through our Illuminated Village As the sun begins to set, we invite you to discover our glittering holiday light display, including thousands of lights and oversized ornaments, in Antler Hill Village each evening throughout the holiday season. More than 45,000 twinkling Christmas lights are illuminated throughout Biltmore House. 1. Discover Biltmore at its Most Enchanting Our annual Candlelight Christmas Evenings visits offer a rare glimpse into a more intimate side of America’s Largest Home® with soft candlelight, crackling fireplaces, and live music. Reserve your evening visit today and consider upgrading to an admission ticket that includes our exclusive 90-minute guided group tour inside Biltmore House for an extra special experience! Be sure to take a look at our holiday lodging packages, available at The Inn and Village Hotel. Stay overnight at one of our distinctive properties—The Inn on Biltmore Estate®, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate®, or private Cottages on Biltmore Estate™—so you’ll have plenty of time to experience our top five Christmas activities and so much more!
The Banquet Hall Tree: A Christmas at Biltmore Tradition Posted on October 1, 2020 at 12:00 am.Written by Amy Dangelico The Banquet Hall tree has been a Biltmore Christmas tradition for 125 years. The 35-foot-tall Fraser fir selected for the Banquet Hall each year is always the tallest tree inside Biltmore House. Adorned with hundreds of lights and ornaments, the towering tree is a beloved Yuletide symbol that was introduced during the first Christmas at Biltmore. Preparing for the first Christmas at Biltmore While George Vanderbilt moved into Biltmore House in October 1895, he didn’t formally open the house until Christmas Eve of that year. He invited his extended family from the north to a grand holiday housewarming party. “Mr. Vanderbilt is to entertain in his chateau 300 guests from New York, who will arrive by special train. The scene of mirth and happiness which the yule-tide season will witness in this modern Aladdin’s palace will be the realization of even that lucky man’s wildest dreams…”– Galveston Tribune as quoted by The Asheville Citizen Times* Thanks to news articles and correspondence between George and his staff, we know that preparations for the big event were extensive and no detail was left unattended. Managers debated which nearby county had the best holly and the most desirable mistletoe, while staff scouted the perfect candidate for what would become one of Biltmore’s most prominent holiday elements: the Banquet Hall Christmas tree. Chauncey Beadle wrote estate manager Charles McNamee:“I quite agree with you that we should have a very large tree for this occasion; in fact, I think a twenty foot tree in that large Banquet Hall would be rather dwarfed.” Raising the Banquet Hall tree is a Christmas tradition at Biltmore Christmas Eve 1895 On the evening of December 24, guests gathered in the Banquet Hall, which showcased the splendidly tall and beautifully decorated tree laden with gifts for estate workers. At the foot of the tree was a table piled high with family gifts. “The Imperial Trio furnished music for the occasion, and the rich costumes of the ladies, the soft lights and the tastefully draped garlands of evergreen and mistletoe, interspersed with the shining leaves and red berries of the holly, created a beautiful scene to look upon.” – The Asheville News and Hotel Reporter, December 28, 1895 George’s mother, Maria Louisa Vanderbilt, attended as well as several of his brothers and sisters with their spouses and children. One of George’s nieces, Gertrude, daughter of Cornelius and Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt, kept a series of Dinner Books recording of all the parties and formal dinners she attended. The first Christmas dinner at Biltmore was Gertrude’s 193rd event that year, listed in the second volume of her 1895 Dinner Book. In her seating diagram for the occasion, she listed 27 Vanderbilt family members, including “Uncle George,” “Grandma,” and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. A detailed seating chart of the first Christmas dinner at Biltmore House from the 1895 Dinner Book kept by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney** The lofty holiday event was a Vanderbilt family reunion of sorts. It was said to have been the largest gathering of the family since the death of George’s father, William Henry Vanderbilt, almost ten years earlier. Ultimately, 40 family members and close friends signed the Biltmore House Guest Book throughout the holiday season. Christmas Day 1895 At the time, Biltmore’s full domestic staff had yet to be hired, though George had temporarily employed local men and women for service during the holidays. On Christmas Day, George invited the estate’s many temporary and permanent employees and their children to the first Biltmore employee Christmas Party. Still a bachelor at the time, he enlisted the help of Mrs. Charles McNamee to purchase gifts for the guests. (Edith Vanderbilt enthusiastically assumed this role after she and George married in 1898.) George greeted everyone in the Banquet Hall mid-afternoon, where family members helped distribute gifts. We imagine that most of the employees and their children had never seen anything like the Banquet Hall tree. At the time, less than 20% of US families brought Christmas trees into their homes, much less such an oversized tree with electric lights and hundreds of presents wrapped beneath it. A beribboned velvet ornament featuring the elegant Vanderbilt monogram The tradition continues George Vanderbilt’s hosting of family and employees at Christmas is a tradition that continued long after 1895. Local and national newspapers published accounts of seasonal celebrations at Biltmore almost every year. And every year, those celebrations took place in the Banquet Hall, next to the tallest Christmas tree in Biltmore House. Make reservations now to visit during Christmas at Biltmore or Candlelight Christmas Evenings and experience the enchantment of this beloved Yuletide symbol. *Sourced by an uncited newspaper from our Museum Services history files.**Photo courtesy of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney papers, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Whitney Museum of American Art, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney papers. Gift of Flora Miller Irving.
First Look: Dooney & Bourke for Biltmore Collection Posted on September 10, 2020 at 10:42 am.Written by Jean Sexton Shop the new Biltmore Collection by Dooney & Bourke, available now at the estate and online! Dooney & Bourke for Biltmore This sleek and stylish wallet is perfect when you’re on the go or as an accompaniment to the roomy tote in the Dooney & Bourke for Biltmore collection “We are thrilled to announce the new Dooney & Bourke for Biltmore collection,” said Clay Chaffin, Senior Director, Product Design, Development & Merchandising. “When a storied brand like Biltmore connects with a fashion icon such as Dooney & Bourke, the results are nothing short of inspiring.” Estate-inspired design The new collection is available in a tote, wallet, and crossbody bag The new design by Dooney & Bourke weaves classic architectural elements and elegant patterns from America’s Largest Home® into a timeless style, bringing form and function together in these three separate pieces: Biltmore Estate® Classic Tote Bag by Dooney & BourkeBiltmore Estate® Classic Crossbody Bag by Dooney & BourkeBiltmore Estate® Classic Wallet by Dooney & Bourke “We worked with Dooney & Bourke designers to capture some of the most beloved details of George Vanderbilt’s magnificent estate, then combined them with the artistic direction of Dooney & Bourke to create a signature Biltmore pattern that fans of both brands will love,” Clay said. Emphasis on quality Not only are the two brands compatible in terms of their design aesthetic, but they’re also a match in their emphasis on quality and integrity. Inspired by America’s rich history in leather goods, ranging from mail pouches to saddle bags and other gear, Peter Dooney and Frederic Bourke created the distinct blend of classic and contemporary styles that have been the hallmark of every Dooney & Bourke collection for more than 40 years. With a steadfast commitment to enduring style, timeless versatility, and uncompromising quality, Dooney & Bourke selects only the finest raw materials and follows the time-honored techniques of old world leather craftsmen. More to come Be among the first to shop the new Dooney & Bourke for Biltmore bags! “This new Biltmore Estate Classic pattern is the first of three curated collections featuring exceptional quality and richly detailed textures that invite you to indulge in more than one,” said Clay. “We’ll be sharing a sneak peak at what’s next in the coming months!” Bring Biltmore home for the holidays Visit our estate shops for all your holiday gifts–including the new Dooney & Bourke for Biltmore bags! Find Dooney & Bourke for Biltmore just in time for holiday shopping. Available in a tote, crossbody bag, and wallet styles, there’s a perfect option for everyone–including you! Take care of your gift-giving list in any of our estate shops, or shop online from the comfort of home at BiltmoreShop.com.
Fans Choose Our 2020 Christmas Wine Labels Posted on September 8, 2020 at 4:02 pm.Written by Jean Sexton (Please enjoy this archived content from Christmas 2020.) For the past three years, our Facebook fans have been the ones to choose the style of our Christmas at Biltmore Wine labels. Crowdsourcing our Christmas wine labels Indoor and outdoor holiday elements were chosen by our Facebook fans for 2020 “It’s worked so well that we keep doing it,” said Chris Price, Wine Marketing Manager. “By voting for the Christmas wine label styles and themes on Facebook, our fans really help us capture the spirit of the season.” Working with a North Carolina artist The Biltmore wine marketing team selected artist Denise Nelson of Sherrils Ford, North Carolina, to create two original paintings that would incorporate the holiday images and elements selected by Biltmore’s Facebook followers for our Christmas wine labels. Your virtual tasting theme can be anything you like, including Christmas at Biltmore white and red wines! Two winning themes emerged after two rounds of online voting: a wonderfully warm vignette in the grand Library of Biltmore House, and a whimsical outdoor scene featuring the iconic architecture of America’s Largest Home®. Images tell a special story Paintings in progress: artwork for both labels side-by-side in Denise Nelson’s studio According to the artist, her assignment felt a little overwhelming at first because both the Library and the house are so richly detailed, but as she began working with the two different ideas that were selected, the images began to tell their own special stories. Denise builds layers of warm color and delightful detail for the Christmas at Biltmore Red Wine label painting “I started with the Christmas at Biltmore Red Wine label,” Denise said. ” It was delightful to present an interior view of the house that includes a child’s rocking horse and Cedric, the Vanderbilts’ beloved Saint Bernard, resting on the hearth in front of the massive fireplace.” Denise captured Cedric the St. Bernard in magnificent detail, from the rough texture of his coat to the firelight reflected in his eyes Denise was able to work in other wonderful Library details, like cheerful Christmas décor and a glimpse of Pelligrini’s The Chariot of Aurora ceiling painting soaring overhead. Classic architecture meets frosty fun Denise kept her colors cool for the Christmas at Biltmore White Wine label Fans also voted to see a snowy outdoor scene featuring Biltmore House at night, and Denise was happy to oblige. For the Christmas at Biltmore White Wine label, Denise painted a timeless winter scene that looks as if the Vanderbilts and their guests might have created this cheerful snowman before returning to the warmth of Biltmore House! “I imagined a nicely chilled bottle of Christmas at Biltmore White Wine,” said Denise, “and that helped me capture the tone of the season. You’ll see the windows of Biltmore House alight for the holidays, and a cheerful snowman in a red scarf adds a bit of frosty fun to the formal architecture.” Give a thoughtful gift of wine this season Christmas at Biltmore Wines are perfect for gift giving and for complementing your favorite flavors at the holiday buffet or dessert table Whether you’re in the mood for a fragrant, semi-sweet white wine or a soft, fruit-forward red, our Christmas at Biltmore Wines offer a classic complement to your favorite flavors at the holiday buffet or dessert table. As an added bonus, the lovely Christmas labels make both wines a charming gift of the season for someone special.
Creating Curb Appeal in front of Biltmore House Posted on July 24, 2020 at 1:45 pm.Written by LeeAnn Donnelly To say that the summertime curb appeal in front of Biltmore House veers toward the dramatic would be accurate! Towering palm trees flank the front door, all of them carefully arranged in terracotta pots sturdy enough to keep the contents secure. For plantings this huge, their containers can measure up to 40 inches tall and 50 inches wide. Some of the containers in front of Biltmore are replicas made in Impruneta, Italy, the same town in which the home’s original pots were made in the late 1800s. For the reproductions, the faces and garlands were matched with the ones on the original pots. This year, Biltmore gardener Todd Roy created the plant design for the containers at the front of the house, the terrace that crosses the facade, as well as the pots at the base of the Rampe Deuce, across from the house. Guests often ask Todd and his cohorts on the horticulture team questions on how best to get the Biltmore look in their home gardens. Here are some of Todd’s favorite tips for creating dazzling container gardens at home. “Thriller, Filler and Spiller” To achieve a balanced container, Todd says to design with these basic components. • “Thrillers” are the upright, tall component. • “Fillers” are medium-height, middle-area plants. • “Spillers” are the plants that hang over and around the edges of the container. Select plants with similar watering needsConsult the plant tags for watering requirements so you are choosing plants that share the same maintenance schedule. TextureAnd finally, select plants with differing leaf sizes and colors for a full and lush effect. More about Biltmore’s historic gardens may be found here.
Savor Summer with These Limited Release White Wines Posted on July 10, 2020 at 12:20 pm.Written by Jean Sexton Savor summer with these Limited Release white wines, handcrafted by Biltmore winemaker Sharon Fenchak to refresh your palate all season long. “Of course white wines aren’t just for summer,” said Sharon, “but they are uniquely suited to provide crisp, refreshing flavor and pair well with the kinds of lighter foods we enjoy most during warmer weather.” For the Biltmore Estate Limited Release series, Sharon seeks smaller lots of exceptional grapes from our partner vineyards in California and Washington, allowing her to showcase her skillful artistry in each bottle. Let’s take a look at four Limited Release white wines crafted from varietals that may be less well known than more mainstream whites such as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio: 1. Biltmore Estate Limited Release Marsanne Our new Biltmore Estate Albariño makes any occasion seem special! Originally from France’s Northern Rhône region, Marsanne is a less well-known white varietal often blended with Roussanne. After selecting fruit from our California growing partners, Sharon handcrafts our Biltmore Estate Limited Release Marsanne to be light straw in color, with bright opening aromas of banana, kiwi, and lime. Refreshing with a nice acidity, this light-to-medium-bodied Marsanne offers a fresh flavor reminiscent of tart green apples. Perfect for summer sipping and outdoor entertaining like a classic Lowcountry seafood boil, our Marsanne is excellent with lighter fare such as orange chicken, scallops, and fish tacos, or spinach salad with raspberry vinaigrette. For desserts, consider key lime pie and lemon pound cake. If you’ve already discovered that you’re a fan of Biltmore’s other food-friendly white wines, we predict you’ll love getting to know our Marsanne! 2. Biltmore Estate Limited Release Orange Muscat Savor summer with our Limited Release white wines, including Orange Muscat Although it has old-world origins in Italy and France, Orange Muscat is better known today through new-world plantings in the U.S. and Australia. We handcraft this highly aromatic member of the Muscat family into a straw-colored wine with a luscious fragrant bouquet of peach blossom, honey, and ripe melon. Light-bodied, nicely balanced, and sweet-forward with flavors of honey and tropical fruit, our Biltmore Estate Limited Release Orange Muscat offers a clean, lightly tart finish that is surprisingly zesty. Savor this delightful “glass full of summer” with Mexican dishes, crab salad, spicy black bean burgers, Nashville-style hot chicken, fruit salad, angel food cake, and lemon tart. Most of all, be sure to sip it outdoors on the porch, or try it as the base of a refreshing summer cocktail like this Orange Muscat Mimosa or a pitcher of fruity sangria. 3. Biltmore Estate Limited Release Roussanne Enjoy all our Limited Release wines, including Roussanne, this summer! Roussanne is a late-ripening white grape that originated in the Rhone region of France. While it is often blended with Marsanne, Sharon has chosen to handcraft this Biltmore Estate Limited Release Marsanne as a single varietal with fine grapes selected from partner vineyards in Paso Robles, California. This medium-bodied pale gold wine offers scents of lime, pear, and coconut. It is soft, round, and nicely balanced with slight hints of minerality along with flavors of lime, kiwi, and tangerine. Pair it with lighter fare including fish tacos, trout, chicken salad with grapes and strawberries, or a wedge of Ibérico cheese. Refreshing and easy to drink, we suggest sipping a glass of Roussanne while relaxing on the porch—or take a bottle along to your next rustic cabin adventure or “glamping” getaway. 4. Biltmore Estate Limited Release Sémillon Pack a bottle of Biltmore wine for your next spring picnic–Gewurtztraminer is always a good choice! Sémillon is native to France’s Bordeaux region. While it is often blended with other wines to give them more body and brighter flavor, Sharon opts to handcraft our Biltmore Estate Limited Release Sémillon as a single varietal to express its distinctive characteristics. The grapes are selected from partner vineyards in Lake County, California, and the resulting light green-gold wine features a bouquet of fresh pear, banana, and floral notes. Medium-light in body, our round, creamy Sémillon offers tastes of crisp apple, vanilla, and hints of oak along with good acidity and a soft finish. Enjoy it with pan-seared scallops, Crab Louie, grilled chicken Caesar salad, and party favorites including brie, savory vol-au-vent canapés, and petite fours. Serve this lovely white wine with a casual dinner, bring it along on a summer picnic, or simply sip it by the glass Savor Summer with Limited Release White Wines Vanderbilt Wine Club members receive a shipment of Biltmore wines each season, plus access to exclusive vintages, virtual tasting events, and more. Our Limited Release wines–including the four that we’ve highlighted in this post–are exclusively available on the estate, online, or through the Vanderbilt Wine Club®.
The Railcar Red Wine Runs Smooth Posted on June 26, 2020 at 2:15 pm.Written by Jean Sexton The Railcar Red Wine runs smooth–and we invite you to try it for yourself! The powerful red blend—handcrafted to honor George Vanderbilt’s personal ties to the American railroad industry—and as a complement to Biltmore Gardens Railway—is just the ticket for sipping and savoring with your favorite foods. The Railcar red wine is a powerful complement to Biltmore Gardens Railway The Railcar red wine runs smooth “The Railcar is a distinctive red wine crafted predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Merlot,” said Biltmore Winemaker Sharon Fenchak. “I selected fruit from our vineyard partners in Paso Robles and Lake County—two outstanding grape-growing regions in California’s wine country.” As soon as you uncork The Railcar, you’ll experience its earthy bouquet that includes hints of caramel, vanilla, plum, black cherry, and baking spice. Cheers to the chill, grill, and thrill of summer entertaining On tasting this medium-to-large bodied garnet-colored wine, you’ll discover bright cherry, plum, and dried fruit flavors up front, a bit of spice, and nice full tannins that make it an excellent pairing partner with barbecue, smoked meats, and pasta with red sauce. Creating a distinctive label “When we first talked about creating this wine, we knew it would need a special label that showcased how distinctive it is,” noted Jill Whitfield, Senior Marketing Manager, Biltmore Wines. “With that in mind, we reached out to Asheville artist Bryan Koontz to see what he envisioned for The Railcar.” Bryan refines his graphite concept sketches for The Railcar red wine Getting on track with a local artist In addition to being an an exceptional artist who created original artwork for our 2018 Christmas at Biltmore Wine labels and our 2019 Spring Release label, Bryan is a train aficionado whose detailed illustrations of trains have appeared in books depicting the historic development of railroads in this country. Transitioning from graphite to watercolor Concepts and sketches He’s particularly knowledgeable about the types of steam engines that would have been in use in George Vanderbilt’s day, and he drew on that knowledge to create several concepts that he began to refine with a final destination in mind. “I knew about George Vanderbilt’s railway connections,” said Bryan, “and that he had his own private railcar. That was the height of luxury at that time, to commission a custom-made railcar and travel in style anywhere a train could take you!” Bryan’s initial concepts and early sketches were rendered in graphite pencil to provide the crisp clarity that characterizes his work. It’s a medium that lends itself to creating all the tiny details of a vintage steam engine. Refining the details Bryan at work on the label in his studio As the concept was refined toward its final iteration, Bryan used watercolors to bring the engine, its cars, and the surrounding landscape to life. The label nearing completion The final version looks so real you can almost hear the engine coming down the track toward you—perhaps pulling George Vanderbilt’s private railcar behind it! Enjoy The Railcar Red Wine along with Biltmore Gardens Railway! Biltmore Gardens Railway in Antler Hill Village From July 1, 2020, through February 15, 2021, marvel at Biltmore Gardens Railway, our botanical model train display located in Antler Hill Village. New this year, we’re featuring iconic American train stations crafted from natural materials such as leaves, twigs, and bark. Stroll through this fascinating display that hearkens back to the golden age of train travel, and celebrate the occasion with a distinctive bottle of The Railcar Red Wine, available at estate shops, online, or close to home with our Retailer Locator.
Biltmore Red Wines Are Father’s Day Favorites Posted on June 5, 2020 at 10:53 am.Written by Jean Sexton If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate your dad, Biltmore red wines are Father’s Day favorites! Biltmore red wines are Father’s Day favorites! Any of our award-winning Biltmore wines make a thoughtful gift, but here are some special ways to pair your father’s favorite fare with our distinctive red wines: Host a hearty breakfast or brunch Is your dad always first in line at the breakfast buffet? This year, start the day with a new tradition: a sharp-dressed charcuterie board that’s more tempting than pastries or pancakes. “Charcuterie incorporates many of the same elements as a standard breakfast, but it’s a fresh way to enjoy a special morning meal,” said Jill Whitfield, Senior Marketing Manager for Biltmore Wines. “Set up a spread with several different meats such as thin slices of prosciutto and jamon, rounds of salami and spicy chorizo, and a savory spread like salmon rillettes or smoked trout dip,” Jill said. In addition, Jill suggests adding hard and soft cheeses to the mix, plus herbed nuts and dried fruit for texture. Add honey for drizzling and pepper jelly for a hint of spice “Last but not least, keep the breakfast theme going with toast points and tea biscuits instead of the usual baguette and crackers,” Jill said. “Round out your board with honey for drizzling and pepper jelly for spice, and voila! A breakfast or brunch that’s sure to delight Dad!” Wine Tips: If you’re serving charcuterie before noon, uncork our Biltmore Estate Blanc de Noir sparkling–its warm coral color and hints of cherries will pair perfectly with the all the rich meats and cheeses. Later in the day? Try our Biltmore Estate Pinot Noir or Pinoette–a smoky duet of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunierre–with the charcuterie board. Liven up lunch with Father’s Day favorites Biltmore Estate Limited Releases red wines are perfect for Father’s Day For a special lunch on Father’s Day, repeat after us: grill it and chill it! That takes care of the main course and the wine, and you can ask family and friends to bring sides and dessert. Wine Tips: for gourmet grilled burgers and brats, chill bottles of Biltmore Estate Limited Release Malbec or Limited Release Mourvédre for about 20 minutes before you serve lunch–that brings the temperature down to a perfect level without getting too cold. Grilled burgers or smoky barbecue give Dad a reason to celebrate If Dad prefers a backyard barbecue, pair his smoky chopped, pulled, or grilled favorites with Biltmore Estate Limited Release Barbera. King of cocktails Shake up a classic cocktail for Father’s Day, like a Negroni made with Mariporta Somewhere between lunch and dinner, Father’s Day naturally flows into happy hour. Declare your dad “king of cocktails” with an old-school Negroni, updated with the addition of our Mariporta Red Dessert Wine. Dig in to dinner with Dad Show Dad how much you appreciate him with a bottle of our finest wine! Nothing tells Dad it’s Father’s Day like an exceptional steak paired with a premium red wine such as our Vanderbilt Reserve Merlot Dry Creek Valley, The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County, or Antler Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley. Handcrafted with precision and aged to perfection, each of these wines tells your father he’s special and you know it. Celebrate Father’s Day with a great meal and a glass of Biltmore wine Wine Tip: When choosing any of these wines for dinner, get your father an extra bottle just for himself. Each of these rich, complex reds have excellent aging potential–just like Dad! Stock up on Father’s Day favorites now Make Father’s Day extra special with Biltmore red wines Biltmore red wines are Father’s Day favorites, and you can stock up on any of our award-winning wines–red, white, rosé, and sparkling–at estate shops, with our Retail Locator, or online. Ready to take Father’s Day gift giving to the next level? Give your dad a membership to our Vanderbilt Wine Club. He’ll thank you every time his seasonal wine shipments arrive!
Biltmore Winery Celebrates 35 Years of Cheers! Posted on May 12, 2020 at 3:25 pm.Written by Jean Sexton As Biltmore Winery celebrated 35 years of cheers in May 2020, we invite you to raise a glass in honor of our anniversary! Our 35th Anniversary Chardonnay was handcrafted to celebrate the Winery And what’s in that glass you’re raising? Biltmore winemaker Sharon Fenchak has created something truly special for the Winery’s anniversary–a barrel fermented, barrel aged Chardonnay handcrafted from grapes grown in the estate’s own vineyards. Crafting a special wine for the occasion “I selected the fruit for our 35th Anniversary Chardonnay from a very special group of clones that I’ve been helping nurture for nearly 20 years in Biltmore’s vineyard,” said Sharon. In addition to her other winemaking responsibilities, Sharon oversees the estate’s vineyard “The term ‘clone’ refers to a cutting or bud from an original varietal,” Sharon said, “and these clones are from old-world Chardonnay vines in Dijon, France. According to Sharon, these clones produce smaller, looser clusters of grapes with more intense flavors and aromatics that result in a unique and distinctive style of Chardonnay. The winemaking process In addition to the careful selection of the varietal, Sharon chose to ferment the 35th Anniversary Chardonnay in barrels rather than steel tanks because the exothermic reaction of fermentation helps incorporate more of the barrel flavor and aromas into the wine. “From its opening bouquet of butter, creamy vanilla, and a bit of green apple, you immediately know this isn’t your average Chardonnay,” said Sharon. “And as you sip, you’ll taste delightful flavors of Meyer lemon and a hint of creamy custard. This barrel-fermented and barrel-aged wine is soft, smooth, and features a subtle acidity.” Perfect pairings Pair our 35th Anniversary Chardonnay with fresh seafood and other flavorful fare Sharon recommends savoring the Chardonnay with shrimp Alfredo, tuna Niçoise, Caesar salad, and classic southern seven-layer salad. For a delightful dessert pairing, serve some zesty lemon bars that echo the wine’s classic citrus notes. “Consider enjoying the Chardonnay during dinner alfresco with friends,” Sharon said, “and be sure to raise a glass to the past and present of Biltmore’s Winery!” Biltmore Winery celebrates 35 years of cheers Celebrate Biltmore Winery’s 35th anniversary with our special 35th Anniversary Chardonnay Along with our limited release 35th Anniversary Chardonnay, you can find all our handcrafted Biltmore wines online.Thank you for making the last three-and-a-half decades so successful for Biltmore’s Winery, and cheers to the next 35 years!
“Cupid’s Richest Captive”— George Vanderbilt’s engagement Posted on April 25, 2020 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton “Cupid’s Richest Captive” was the headline that accompanied the April 1898 announcement of George Vanderbilt’s engagement to Edith Stuyvesant Dresser. Cupid’s richest captive: George Vanderbilt Photographic portrait of George Vanderbilt, ca. 1898 At age 36 and the only unmarried son of William Henry Vanderbilt, George was considered America’s most eligible bachelor. Termed “Cupid’s richest captive” by the popular press, the engagement was a leading topic in newspapers of the era. Edith Stuyvesant Dresser Edith Stuyvesant Dresser’s formal engagement photo, 1898 In comparison, his bride-to-be was a virtual unknown, although her ancestry included Peter Stuyvesant, the first Dutch governor of New York. Edith and her three sisters were popular members of Newport and New York society, and the “Dresser Girls” had lived in Paris after the death of their parents and grandparents. Ten years younger than her fiancé, Edith was friends with one of George’s sisters and several of his nieces. While reporters speculated the couple became acquainted when she attended Vanderbilt’s 1897 London party for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, it’s more likely the pair met through match-making family members. Congratulatory correspondence for “Cupid’s richest captive” and his fiancée Newspaper clipping of the 1898 Dresser-Vanderbilt wedding program; illustrations were probably made from photographs of the couple. News of the springtime engagement brought letters of congratulations from Vanderbilt’s friends, and we are fortunate to have some of the correspondence in our archives. Author Paul Leicester Ford, who stayed at Biltmore several times and dedicated one of his most popular novels to George Vanderbilt, penned the following: “My dear George,I am very glad. Marriage is quite good enough for you, and is one of the few really fine things you haven’t had in your life. I wish I knew Miss Dresser better, but the mere glimpse I had of her was enough to make me like her, and time will perhaps fulfill my wish. That you both have my every felicitation, and hope for your happiness, need not be said…..It is a pleasure to me to think of you as having this great happiness added to your life. But in the big love, save a little if you can, for your affectionate friendPaul.” Portrait of George Vanderbilt by John Singer Sargent, ca. 1890; on display above the entrance to the Biltmore House Library. Artist John Singer Sargent, considered the most successful portrait painter of his era, was one of Vanderbilt’s favorite artists. Six of his works are in Biltmore House, including a portrait of George that hangs above the Library door. On April 28, 1898, he wrote: “My dear VanderbiltPlease accept my warmest congratulations and best wishes for your engagement, and offer my hommages to the lady…I hope to see you on my way back from Venice…Yours sincerely,John S. Sargent” Chauncey M. Depew, who served as New York Secretary of State and president of the New York Central Railway, was a family friend who had known George Vanderbilt all his life. On May 13, 1898, he wrote: “My Dear George,Accept my cordial congratulations on your engagement. Possessing as you do every thing to make a happy home, and Miss Dresser so charmingly forming the complement. Surely the future is (illegible) secure for married life as the fates have arranged it for you…Faithfully yours,Chauncey M. Depew” On May 19, 1898, David H. Greer sent a letter to George Vanderbilt, who was already in Paris where his June 1 wedding would take place. Greer served as the rector of St. Bartholomew’s Church, New York, from 1888–1904. “Dear Mr. Vanderbilt —I am sorry I cannot be present to offer my congratulations in person in connection with the happy event which is about to take place in your life; but the steamer that takes your sisters over will hopefully carry this note and enable you to receive it before the wedding. I have thought of you so long in a state of “single blessedness” that it is a little difficult to imagine you in the double blessedness of matrimony. But it is double blessedness, as I know from my own experience, and I am sure you will find in yours. With best wishes of a bright future for both of you, believe me,Very sincerely yours,David H. Greer” Learn more about the Vanderbilts George and Edith Vanderbilt sitting on the front steps of Buckspring Lodge, their rustic retreat on Mt. Pisgah After the wedding and a four-month Italian honeymoon, the newlyweds returned to Biltmore to begin their lives together. Learn more about them by visiting The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition at The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village, included with your estate admission. Featured photo: Place de Chalelet and Seine River, Paris, circa 1898. George Vanderbilt and Edith Stuyvesant Dresser were engaged in Paris in April 1898.