Estate history and gracious hospitality meet for a secluded escape in the Cottage at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. This modest cottage sits along the estate exit road and offers quiet views of Biltmore’s meadows and the French Broad River. Most who pass by never guess its important role in estate history and the hidden luxury inside.  

The History of the Market Gardener’s Cottage
Originally known as the Market Gardener’s Cottage, the house was designed by Biltmore House architect Richard Morris Hunt and built in 1896. It was the home of Biltmore’s market gardener who managed the estate’s vegetable gardens and greenhouses.  

The gardens and greenhouses supplied Biltmore House with seasonal fruits and vegetables. In times of an abundant harvest, the excess was sold to the community and the Market Gardner’s Cottage was transformed into a mini-farmer’s market. The cottage’s courtyard served as a vegetable packing house and wholesale outlet for local merchants.  

A New Vision for the Cottage
Floods in 1896 and 1901 resulted in massive damage to the estate’s agricultural operations and the cottage. The market garden closed and the cottage was later renovated to provide accommodations for visiting VIPs.  

In 2005, major renovations began to transform the cottage into the luxurious oasis that is now the Cottage at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. The two-bedroom and two-bath cottage offers privacy and all the amenities provided to Inn on Biltmore Estate guests.  

The European Plan and Bed & Breakfast Package is available when booking the cottage. In addition to package amenities, optional services such as butler service and custom meals prepared by a private chef are available.

The journey to an award-winning Winery began in 1971 with an idea from George Vanderbilt’s grandson, William A.V Cecil, that a vineyard and winery was the next logical step in diversifying the family business. It took many decades and more than a handful of trials and tribulations, but the Biltmore Wine Company emerged triumphant as a strong and quality producer in the wine industry.  

The First Test: Growing Grapes
The first challenge the Wine Company faced was growing grapes. In 1971, Mr. Cecil planted muscadine grapes on the estate and later French-American hybrids. The experiment resulted in poor quality, so he turned his eye to Vitis vinifera, the European grape species. Experts across the industry believed vinifera grapes could not be grown in Western North Carolina. However, Mr. Cecil was determined to prove them wrong.   “Telling Biltmore’s owner William A.V. Cecil that ‘it can’t be done,’ is the quickest way to get Mr. Cecil to prove you wrong,” according to Jerry Douglas, President of Biltmore Wines.  

Leading the Charge in Research
Biltmore led the charge for experimentation and research in the North Carolina wine industry. In the 1970s, little was known about producing wine on a commercial scale. Biltmore made inroads that later benefitted other state wineries and wine growers by reaching out to experts at NC State University and the University of California at Davis.  

After much trial and error, the vineyard transformed into 94 acres of select vinifera grapes. Biltmore had conquered the challenge of growing grapes, but was now in the need of a large quantity of fruit. This led Biltmore to explore sourcing grapes from select growers and vineyards in California and later within North Carolina.  

Winning Over Wine Drinkers
With one challenge met, another opportunity arose in the form of building a Winery where estate guests could taste and learn more about Biltmore Wines. The estate’s historic Biltmore Dairy barn was remodeled and transformed into a state-of-the-art Winery with production facilities, a tasting room, and wine shop.   Perhaps more challenging than constructing a winery was overcoming preconceptions about North Carolina wines. Popular opinion at the time held that only good wines came from France.   However, as the Winery’s reputation and collection of wines grew, it allowed guests and consumers to build an emotional affinity to Biltmore Wines. “There is an amazing level of trust in our brand and in the relationship our guests have with us, and that’s one of the main reasons we’ve been so successful over the years,” says Jerry Douglas.  

ABOUT BILTMORE WINES
Located in Asheville, N.C., Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt.  Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America’s largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore Estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture. Among the many attractions on the estate is the nation’s most visited winery, started in 1977 in a converted dairy barn. In keeping with the Vanderbilt tradition of entertaining in style and embodying the agricultural legacy of its founder, Biltmore produces award-winning wines using fruit harvested from its 94-acre vineyard as well as from partners in N.C. and other premium growing regions. Biltmore ranks in the top 1% of the U.S. wine business and produces more than 170,000 cases of wine annually. To learn more about Biltmore Wines and to access a regional wine-buying guide, please visit www.biltmorewines.com.

Biltmore Winery, located on the grounds of George Vanderbilt’s historic estate, is America’s most visited winery and home to a notable collection of award-winning wines. Sold on the estate at the Winery and across the U.S., Biltmore Wines are produced under five primary labels:

• The Biltmore Collection:  This collection of Biltmore Wines is inspired by a legacy of taste and style.  Biltmore winemakers select grapes from vineyards in leading wine regions to create food-friendly wines at a great value suited for everyday enjoyment.
• The Century Collection:  Warm and welcoming, these blends are unique creations handcrafted by Biltmore winemakers. They are easy to enjoy and pair well with a variety of foods making them a top seller among estate guests. The unique etched-style bottle celebrates the architectural elegance of Biltmore House, and the name pays homage to Biltmore’s 100-year anniversary and enduring legacy.
• The Biltmore Reserve Collection:  George Vanderbilt was legendary for his hospitality and passion for the very best, a legacy that inspires Biltmore winemakers to seek superb domestic vintages for this collection including those from Biltmore’s estate vineyards.  Outstanding grapes are selected from vineyards in leading wine regions for these premium quality wines that reflect their source.
• Antler Hill Collection: Named for the historic ridge on the estate, these wines are regarded as the finest wines in the Biltmore collection. They are carefully crafted by our winemakers using grapes selected from the best harvests and vintages in premium wine regions.
• The Biltmore Estate Sparkling Collection:  These award-winning sparkling wines are part of a grand legacy and embody the gracious hospitality of George Vanderbilt’s estate.  Regarded for their exceptional quality, the grapes for Biltmore’s sparkling wines are harvested with a high acidity and fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures.  The wines then undergo a second fermentation in the bottle, the traditional méthode champenoise, which creates a crisp wine with tiny bubbles.  Lastly, the wine is aged for at least a year before disgorging.

ABOUT BILTMORE WINES
Located in Asheville, N.C., Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt.  Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America’s largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore Estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture. Among the many attractions on the estate is the nation’s most visited winery, started in 1977 in a converted dairy barn. In keeping with the Vanderbilt tradition of entertaining in style and embodying the agricultural legacy of its founder, Biltmore produces award-winning wines using fruit harvested from its 94-acre vineyard as well as from partners in N.C. and other premium growing regions. Biltmore ranks in the top 1% of the U.S. wine business and produces more than 170,000 cases of wine annually. To learn more about Biltmore Wines and to access a regional wine-buying guide, please visit www.biltmorewines.com.

A visit to Biltmore Winery isn’t complete without experiencing the award-winning wines hand-crafted on the estate. Admission to America’s most-visited winery is included in estate admission and includes numerous opportunities to relax and sample seasonal wines.  

Sample Biltmore Wines
After strolling through the Winery’s historic cellars, guests may enjoy a stop at the Tasting Room. Originally a barn for the estate’s pedigreed Jersey cattle, this room was transformed during a massive two-year renovation in 1985 to create the current Winery.  

Today, the spacious room provides a casual atmosphere for sipping Biltmore wines with a Tasting Room host. The complimentary tasting includes a selection of Biltmore white and red wines. Our wine hosts guide guests through the tasting process with simple and easy tips that take away the intimidation factor for those new to wines. For guests who prefer not to sample, non-alcoholic grape juice is also available.  

Fun Seminars Go Behind-the-Scenes
Those who want to delve deeper into Biltmore Wines can sign up for specialty wine seminars at an additional cost.  

Vine to Wine Tour – Discover how Biltmore grapes become our award-winning wines in this exclusive tour. Visit areas on the estate not normally seen by guests, including a trip to the vineyards and a walking production tour. Sample wine tastings conclude with a grand tasting.
Cost is $85 per person in addition to estate admission. Guests must be 21 years of age to attend.  

The Red Wine & Chocolate Seminar reveals the science and fun behind the classic food and wine pairing. Discover why red wine is so sensational with a slice of chocolate cake. See how we craft our award-winning red wines, and then try your hand at some personal research. Samples of Biltmore red wines are accompanied by chocolates, ending the session on a sweet note. Available to guests ages 21. Cost is $20 per person in addition to estate admission.  

Dive into the world of sparkling wine with the Biltmore Bubbles Tour. This 45-minute program examines the secret process of crafting wines in the French tradition. Tour the Winery’s champagne bottling room, then sample all six of BIltmore’s sparkling wines. Available to guests ages 21. Cost is $18 per person in addition to estate admission.

About Biltmore

Located in Asheville, North Carolina, Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt.  Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America’s largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques.  Biltmore estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture.  Today, Biltmore has grown to include Antler Hill Village, which features the award-winning Winery and Antler Hill Farm; the four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate; Equestrian Center; numerous restaurants; event and meeting venues;  and Biltmore For Your Home, the company’s licensed products division.  To learn more about Biltmore, or book a visit to Biltmore, go to www.biltmore.com or call 877-BILTMORE

Designed especially for relaxation and family fun, Antler Hill Village also offers shopping and dining. The shops and restaurants at Antler Hill Village stay open later than other estate locations, providing a sweet conclusion to a memorable day on the estate.

• Cedric’s Tavern – Named after George Vanderbilt’s beloved St. Bernard, Cedric, this warm, relaxing pub reflects the less formal side of Biltmore dining and entertaining. Specialties include shepherd’s pie and fish and chips.
• Creamery – A tribute to the original Biltmore Dairy Bar®, guests can indulge in Winky Bar sundaes, signature shakes and root beer floats, as well as gourmet coffee and pastries.
• Traditions – With her renowned hospitality and sense of style, Edith Vanderbilt was a natural hostess who delighted her visitors with special touches throughout Biltmore House. Within Traditions, the inspiration for its graceful mix of products came from envisioning how Mrs. Vanderbilt would entertain her guests today. Traditions includes decorative home accents and local artisans’ work, including pottery and jewelry. 
• The Barn Door – Featuring a unique selection of arts and crafts items. Located at Antler Hill Barn.

When George Vanderbilt began purchasing land for his grand country estate in 1888, the tracts were rough and overworked. Vanderbilt wanted to create an European country setting to complement his grand chateau, but he knew that he needed help to accomplish his goal.   He hired Frederick Law Olmsted, the first American landscape architect, to fulfill his vision. It would be Olmsted’s final project and perhaps his most grand legacy.   A

Beautiful Vision for Biltmore
After visiting the estate for the first time in 1889, Olmsted wrote to Vanderbilt, “My advice would be to make a small park into which to look from your house; make a small pleasure ground and garden, farm your river bottom chiefly to keep and fatten livestock with view to manure; and make the rest a forest, improving the existing woods and planting the old fields.” Vanderbilt agreed with Olmsted’s recommendations, especially the suggestion that agricultural operations should be developed.  

Biltmore would be a working estate with a large farm carefully designed by Olmsted. But it would also be a place of beauty where impressive gardens would showcase nature’s glory. Olmsted included a combination of woodlands, fields and gardens, which blended European design with his signature naturalistic style.  

His plans were for several formal gardens – a four-acre Walled Garden, a 16th-century Italian Garden with three reflecting pools, and a dramatic Rampe Douce and Esplanade lined by an avenue of trees at the entrance to Biltmore House. In addition to these more formal touches, Olmsted also planned a Shrub Garden, a Lagoon and an elaborately designed three-mile Approach Road.  

The Creation of the Azalea Garden
To assist with the development of the gardens, Olmsted hired a Cornell-educated horticulturalist, Chauncey Beadle. Beadle was only hired temporarily in 1890, but ended up staying until his death in 1960.

During his time on the estate, Beadle developed a love for azaleas and amassed a personal collection containing 3,000 plants. In 1940, he donated the entire collection to Biltmore. The shrubs were planted in the Glen, which is now known as the Azalea Garden thanks to Beadle’s extraordinary generosity.  

Exploring Biltmore’s Gardens
Today, guests enjoy access to all of Biltmore’s gardens. Including: 

Library and South Terraces
The terraces were designed for Vanderbilt’s guests who preferred to stay close to Biltmore House. The South Terrace provides spectacular views, while the Library Terrace is shaded by an arbor of wisteria and trumpet creeper vines.  

Italian Garden
The Italian Garden features classical statuary and three formal water gardens. Designed for quiet moments of reflection, this area also hosted tennis and croquet matches on the grassy area near the house. In warm weather, koi and goldfish swim in the pools among large Victorian lilies, water lilies, Lotus and papyrus.  

Shrub Garden
A path leads you through the Shrub Garden, notable for two N.C. State Champion Trees: the golden rain tree and river birch. This garden consists of more than 500 different varieties of plants, shrubs, and trees, many of which were popular in the early 1900s.  

Spring Garden
This sheltered valley is surrounded by a grove of white pines and hemlocks. It is filled with an array of spring blooming shrubs including forsythia, spirea, deutzia and mock orange.  

Walled Garden
This four-acre formal garden features flowerbeds planted in the “bedding out” style popular in the late 1800s. Two arbors totaling 236 feet serve as its spine. The central beds feature thousands of tulips in the spring, vivid summer annuals and a kaleidoscope of mums in the fall. Themed areas include a Victorian border, winter border, scented border, butterfly garden and white border.  

Historic Rose Garden
More than 200 varieties of heirloom and hybrid roses bloom in the Rose Garden. This garden also features historically inspired rose displays with may poles, plus a selection of varieties that are undergoing trial.  

Conservatory
Designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt, this glass-roofed building nurtures exotic orchids, ferns, and palms and provides flowers and plants for the house just as it did in the Vanderbilts’ time.  

Azalea Garden
This 15-acre garden—the largest on the estate—contains one of the country’s largest selections of native azaleas. It represents 60 years of work by Chauncey Beadle, an avid azalea collector and horticulturist hired at Biltmore in 1890 and who later became the estate’s superintendent. Also notable are the evergreen China firs—often mistaken for pine trees but with wide, flat, sharp leaves rather than needles—and the Katsura trees that display brilliant foliage and a distinctive “cotton candy” fragrance in autumn.  

Bass Pond
Frederick Law Olmsted created this water feature from an old creek-fed millpond, adding a rustic boat house so the Vanderbilts’ guests could rest while enjoying the gardens. The arched brick bridge crossing the pond was featured in the 1991 film The Last of the Mohicans.

In the heart of Biltmore’s Walled Garden is an architectural treasure, almost as beautiful as Biltmore House. The Conservatory, designed by Biltmore House architect Richard Morris Hunt, was built to provide Biltmore House and the gardens with flowers and tender bedding plants. Today, more than a century later, it still fulfills that role.  

Carefully placed at the lower end of the garden, so as not to obstruct the view from Biltmore House, the Conservatory consists of four main rooms. The central room is a “Palm House,” which contains a large collection of palms, ferns and other foliage plants. The annexes include a cool house, hot house and orchid house. The total heated space under glass in the Conservatory is over 7,000 square feet, making the structure an exotic escape in cooler months.  

The Conservatory was originally heated using a system that forced hot water through cast iron pipes placed under the plant benches. The hot water was heated by a coal-fired furnace and boiler in the basement. Ventilation and cooling was controlled using side and roof vents that were opened and closed manually using hand-turned cranks or chain pulleys. More than century later, these vents are still in use.  

When construction on the Conservatory was complete, George Vanderbilt and Frederick Law Olmsted created a list of plants that were suitable and desirable for the estate’s plant collection. The list included palms, ferns, orchids, azaleas, roses and violets.  

When Vanderbilt married Edith Stuyvesant Dresser and brought her to the estate in 1898, the Conservatory allowed Edith to indulge her passion for plants. Estate records show that she was especially fond of carnations, chrysanthemums, roses and sweet peas. The plant collection in the Conservatory expanded to include her favorite plants, with special orders placed to growers stateside and in Paris.  

During Vanderbilt’s lifetime, the Conservatory began providing plants and flowers to All Souls church in Biltmore Village. The tradition started in 1897 with a gift of palms for Palm Sunday and continued with flowers on holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The tradition still continues today as a sign of Vanderbilt’s lasting legacy.

About Biltmore
Located in Asheville, North Carolina, Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America’s largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture.  Today, Biltmore has grown to include Antler Hill Village, which features the award-winning Winery and Antler Hill Farm; the four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate; Equestrian Center; numerous restaurants; event and meeting venues;  and Biltmore For Your Home, the company’s licensed products division. To learn more about Biltmore, or book a visit to Biltmore, go to www.biltmore.com or call 877-BILTMORE

The mission statement of Biltmore is “The preservation of Biltmore as a privately-owned, profitable, working estate.” With an emphasis on preservation, it’s no surprise Biltmore prides itself on having an in-house conservation department.  

Putting Preservation First
The Museum Services department oversees all things regarding the preservation of Biltmore House and its contents. While the team works daily behind the scenes, its efforts are evident in every inch of Biltmore House and beyond.  

Members of the Museum Services department spend each day researching estate history, and often make new discoveries about the Vanderbilts and their friends, family and associates along the way. The same meticulous fact-finding goes into the work that the team’s preservationists and conservationists do when restoring objects from the family archives. These tasks are part of the ongoing mission to preserve and showcase Biltmore House in an authentic manner relevant to George Vanderbilt’s time.  

Playing Detective in America’s Largest Home
When restoring a room or area of Biltmore House, Museum Services team members play detective, poring over historical documents and scrutinizing the site’s details to confirm its original purpose. That information serves as the basis for restoration plans. The team’s goal is to present an accurate representation of Biltmore House during the time the Vanderbilt family lived in it.  

When it comes time to recreate decorative elements for a project, Museum Services goes to great lengths to ensure materials for the rooms are recreated in an authentic manner. For example, when restoring the Tyrolean Chimney Room, one of the most opulent guest bedrooms in Biltmore House, Biltmore commissioned Atelier d’Offard based in Tours, France, to reproduce the wallpaper. This company was one of the few in the world that could recreate the paper using the same techniques used to craft Biltmore’s wallpapers more than a century ago.

Conservation is the Key

Another key component of the Museum Services department is the conservation team. Three professional conservators and three conservation technicians spend hours each day documenting the condition of objects in Biltmore House’s collection and restoring them to their original beauty or preserving them as they are.  There are approximately 50,000 objects in Biltmore House’s collection, which includes an extraordinary collection of fine art, antiques and books. This vast collection, paired with the seasonal needs of care and cleaning, ensures the team stays busy keeping Biltmore’s priceless collection in pristine condition.

It started off as an innocent family vacation with his mother, but George Vanderbilt’s trip to Asheville, N.C., in 1888 was more than just a simple getaway. It was the first step in a journey that culminated with the completion of the 250-room Biltmore House, America’s largest privately owned-home.  

The Dream Begins
When Vanderbilt arrived in Asheville, he immediately fell in love with the rustic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area was already popular among the wealthy for its healing springs and reviving mountain air. Away from the hustle and bustle of New York society, Vanderbilt saw a place where he could give life to his dream of recreating an English country estate.   An avid traveler, Vanderbilt was captivated by European country estates. He commissioned Richard Morris Hunt, the unofficial Vanderbilt family architect, to help design his new home.  

Building a European Estate in America
Work began on Biltmore House in 1889. The construction process required around 1,000 workers ranging from local laborers to internationally known artists such as Viennese sculptor Karl Bitter and Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino.  

To accomplish the seemingly impossible feat of building a European chateau in rural North Carolina, Hunt focused on efficiency. The land in front of the home site was transformed into a mini-town with buildings and small factories that produced materials necessary for the construction of the house. An on-site kiln produced up to 32,000 bricks daily, and a woodworking factory supplied oak and walnut for the house’s floors and walls.  

Indiana limestone, Italian marble and other supplies were shipped into Asheville by rail. Vanderbilt built a private railroad track from the village depot up to the construction site. The 3-mile route eventually became what is now the Approach Road that leads guests to Biltmore House.  

A Home for the Ages
Once the house was completed in 1895, it was easy to see the European influence. Vanderbilt and Hunt traveled through Europe while in the early planning stages of the home’s construction. They found inspiration for the house’s exterior in the 16th-century chateaux of Loire Valley, France. The stair tower and steeply pitched roofline were inspired by three specific chateaux: Blois, Chenonceau and Chambord.  

Inside, the house was distinctively English. The country estates of Knole, Hatfield House and Haddon Hall provided guidance for the design of the interiors:

• Winter Garden: This glass-roofed room was considered stylish in the Victoria era and provided a place to display exotic plants. The marble and bronze fountain sculpture by artist Karl Bitter, Boy Stealing Geese, is the centerpiece.
• Banquet Hall: Measuring 42 feet wide by 72 feet long, and boasting a 70-foot high ceiling, this room features three fireplaces and an organ gallery. Artist Karl Bitter carved murals into the fireplaces’ overmantel and the organ gallery.
• Tapestry Gallery: This 90-foot-long room served as a sitting room and a ballroom. It was designed to display three 16th-century Flemish tapestries, which currently adorn the walls.
• Library: The dramatic ceiling painting, The Chariot of Aurora, adorns this massive room. Approximately half of Vanderbilt’s 23,000-volume book collection resides here.

When George Vanderbilt arrived in Asheville, N.C., for the first time in 1888, it was a monumental moment in his personal history. Soon, this modest western North Carolina city would capture his heart with its rugged beauty and become his new home. He would shape a new life here by purchasing 125,000 acres, building a magnificent 250-room chateau, and creating grand gardens and nurturing forests on the property. Later, the house would become a home with his marriage to Edith Stuyvesant Dresser and the birth of his daughter, Cornelia. The Vanderbilt family tree would expand and dig deep roots in Asheville with a second and third generation that would call the estate “home” and take over the management of Biltmore.  

A Modest Beginning in Staten Island
But before Vanderbilt’s arrival in North Carolina, the Vanderbilt family hailed from Staten Island, New York. George’s grandfather, Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt, created the family fortune through sheer determination and will. With a $100 loan from his mother, he launched a modest ferry service that grew into a fleet of more than 100 steamboats that crossed the globe. The success of his business created uncommon wealth and parlayed the family into high society.   The Commodore was the patriarch of a large family that included 13 children, 37 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Upon his death, he left his $100 million estate to his eldest son, William Henry.  

The Vanderbilt Family Grows
William Henry Vanderbilt doubled the family wealth and settled his family into a mansion on the prestigious Fifth Avenue in New York City. George Vanderbilt was the youngest of William’s eight children and had a fondness for learning and travel.  

He appreciated his father’s extensive art collection and began collecting art and books at an early age. He journeyed across Europe, Asia and Africa as a young man in search of new experiences and culture. Although he eventually owned four other homes in Bar Harbor, Maine; Washington D.C.; New York City; and Paris, France, it was western North Carolina that captured Vanderbilt’s heart.

Discovering Western North Carolina
Vanderbilt arrived in Asheville, N.C., in the late 19th century as his mother’s traveling companion. At the time, the southern Appalachian Mountains were famous for their restorative health claims. Tourists flocked to the region to enjoy its mineral springs and mild climate.  

While exploring the area, Vanderbilt decided to build a home here and enlisted the help of architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. In 1895, his vision was complete when Biltmore House opened to family and friends on Christmas Eve.  

The Next Generation Arrives
Today, George Vanderbilt’s great-grandson William (Bill) A.V. Cecil, Jr. serves as CEO and president of Biltmore. His great-granddaughter, Diana “Dini” Cecil Pickering, serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, is a member of the company’s Executive Committee, and acts as the Family Office President. Together, they ensure Biltmore will exist for future generations to come.