Visiting This Christmas Season: Know Before You Go
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Embrace the joy and the wonder: our beloved holiday tradition and Chihuly at Biltmore.
Discover Biltmore’s rare and beautiful objets d’art—furnishings, paintings, tapestries, and more.
A picnic while visiting Biltmore is a great way to enjoy the pastoral views of the historic estate’s sprawling gardens and grounds, similar to the Vanderbilts and their guests over a century ago.
Make the most of your next picnic with these expert tips plus estate chef recipes for a Vanderbilt-inspired picnic complete with Biltmore wine pairings.
During the Victorian era, picnics were often elaborate, and creating a suitably “rustic” ambiance might require more effort than a formal banquet. Hampers full of special delicacies were carried to remote outdoor locations along with a bewildering array of china and glassware, chairs, cushions, ground covers, tents, sunshades, games, and amusements—plus all the children, pets, and any guests who happened to be visiting.
On Biltmore Estate, the Vanderbilt family enjoyed picnics at a special location known as “Picnic Island,” which you can see situated in the Lagoon. At Edith Vanderbilt’s request, a swinging bridge (no longer there) was added for easy access to Picnic Island and estate rangers ensured there was no poison ivy growing there—a task modern picnickers know all too well!
We also know that Mrs. Vanderbilt planned a picnic in May of 1915 on nearby Busbee Mountain, and we have multiple picnic baskets, metal serveware and food canisters included, in our archival collection.
Thank goodness today’s picnics are much simpler! By keeping everything quick and easy, you can enjoy the entire experience from start to finish—even without chairs and fine china. Here are a few tips from our estate experts.
(Please note: Guests with estate admission, an overnight stay, or an Annual Pass are permitted to picnic on Biltmore Estate. If picnicking on the estate, outside food is only permitted in designated areas. Outside alcohol and tailgating—including the use of tents, grills, multiple camping chairs/tables, and large coolers—are not permitted anywhere on estate grounds.)
Whether you are taking in the views at Biltmore or relaxing at your local park, here are a few recipes and wine pairings our estate chefs recommend for enjoying your next picnic Vanderbilt-style.
Pair with Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blancs
Serves 24
Ingredients:
Method:
Pair with Biltmore Pinot Noir
Yields one sandwich.
Blackberry-Whole Grain Mustard Ingredients:
Pair with Biltmore Sauvignon Blanc
Yields about 6 servings
Pair with Biltmore Pinot Grigio
Yields 8-10 servings
Pair with Biltmore Estate Blanc de Noir
Yields 1 dozen large cookies or 4 dozen small cookies
Your Biltmore Experience Awaits
We caught up with Estate Executive Chef Mark DeMarco to do a...