Plan a Romantic Date at Biltmore Posted on January 22, 2022 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton Biltmore is the perfect place to plan a romantic date, especially when Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Whether you’re looking for a day of special activities or a long weekend getaway, winter is a wonderful time to visit the estate. From the magnificence of America’s Largest Home® to special packages at both of our distinctive hotels, we’ve compiled a list of five sensational ideas for planning your romantic date at Biltmore. 1. Share a sweet treat with someone special Indulge in a sweet treat from The Bake Shop during your romantic date at Biltmore! Enjoy fresh–baked pastries and baked goods, excellent espresso, gourmet coffees, and herbal teas from The Bake Shop located in the Stable Courtyard next to Biltmore House. Before or after your self-guided house visit, this is a perfect way to warm up winter’s chill. Romantic date tip: While you’re in the neighborhood, take time to visit the collection of gift shops located inside the Stables–you’re sure to find a charming memento of your time together! 2. Escape to the tropics! Wander among tropical treasures in Biltmore’s Conservatory Indoor enchantment awaits in Biltmore’s Conservatory. Possibly one of the warmest spots in North Carolina’s mountains during winter, the Conservatory is filled with thousands of exotic plants, including an expansive orchid display at its showiest peak in the peaceful winter months. Romantic date tip: Be sure to snuggle up for a selfie together with a lush back drop of tropical treasures! 3. Discover the Vanderbilts’ love story George and Edith Vanderbilt sitting on the front steps of Buckspring Lodge, their rustic retreat on Mt. Pisgah The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition highlights the Transatlantic courtship and wedding of George and Edith Vanderbilt with archival letters, personal items and exotic treasures they collected during their world travels. The exhibition is located at The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village, just steps away from the Winery. Romantic date tip: After learning more about the Vanderbilts, take time for a sweet treat or light bite from the nearby Creamery. 4. Warm up at the Winery A match made in heaven–red wine and chocolate! As soon as you arrive at our Winery, enjoy your complimentary wine tasting and savor a variety of our award-winning Biltmore wines. To make your romantic date truly memorable, enjoy a specialty wine experience like our Red Wine and Chocolate Tasting together! Romantic date tip: Bubbles make everything better, so indulge in a glass (or a bottle!) of our refreshing Biltmore Estate® Blanc de Blancs or our pretty-in-pink Biltmore Estate® Blanc de Noir sparkling wine! 5. Let your romantic date take flight Explore the thrilling art of falconry at Biltmore Our 8,000-acre backyard provides natural habitat for a variety of beautiful birds this time of year. Meet them, explore their habits, and learn about their environments with engaging, informative activities that invite you to expand your Biltmore knowledge in a new way. Feathered Friends, Waterfowl Habits, and Guided Bird Walks offer a great way to spend time outdoors with someone special. Romantic date tip: Let your hearts soar as you discover the ancient art of Falconry together! Plan your romantic date at Biltmore now! Plan your romantic getaway at Biltmore! Join us during Winter at Biltmore for a romantic date, or simply enjoy spending time together with family and friends. We look forward to making you welcome!
Pick Perfect Pairings For Seasonal Celebrations Posted on October 21, 2021 at 11:49 pm.Written by Jean Sexton It’s that time of year when you want to pick perfect pairings for your seasonal celebrations, and Biltmore’s holiday hospitality experts are ready to help you! “For more than 125 years, Biltmore has been sharing our expertise in gracious entertaining,” said Sharon Fenchak, Biltmore Winemaker. “Whether you’re planning a holiday happening in your home, traveling to Biltmore for a family getaway, or hosting a virtual visit with faraway friends, we’ll help you pick perfect Biltmore wine pairings for all your gatherings.” Friendsgiving (Saturday before Thanksgiving) Enhance all your Biltmore Grown® Beef selections with Spicewalla® Rubs Traditionally celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is often a less formal gathering of friends and loved ones, with dishes ranging from traditional to potluck to leftovers. “If you’re not sure what your host is serving, or if you expect a lot of different dishes, it’s a good idea to have both red and white wines on hand,” Sharon said.Friendsgiving food-and-wine pairing suggestions: Charcuterie From cheese to meat to nuts, Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Tempranillo is a perfect pairing. Biltmore Grown® BeefMeatballs This recipe from Estate Executive Chef Mark Demarco is a crowd pleaser that pairs well with our award-winning Biltmore Estate® Cabernet Sauvignon. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Dried Cranberries and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Serve up this savory side dish with our smooth Biltmore® Reserve Chardonnay North Carolina. Desserts If guests are bringing a variety of desserts, be prepared to toast their thoughtfulness with Biltmore Estate® Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine. Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November) Our Thanksgiving Wine Trio offers perfect pairing partners for your favorite holiday flavors! “Thanksgiving is probably the most food-oriented holiday of the year,” said Sharon “and that’s why we created our Thanksgiving Wine Trio featuring three outstanding Biltmore wines to pair with a wide variety of your favorite dishes.” For a traditional Thanksgiving menu, Sharon suggests these perfect pairings with wines from our Thanksgiving Trio: Smoked Salmon Bruschetta Keep your guests happy before dinner with this delightful appetizer and a glass of Biltmore Estate® Dry Rosé. Green Beans with Pancetta and Hazelnut Brown Butter Pair this sophisticated take on green beans with our smooth Biltmore® Reserve Chardonnay. Roast Turkey The showpiece of your Thanksgiving dinner pairs perfectly with our approachable Vanderbilt Reserve® Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2019. Hanukkah (December 7–15, 2023) Perfect pairings: The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County and Biltmore Grown® Beef Brisket Known as the Festival of Lights, this Jewish tradition encompasses eight nights of celebration including stories, music, gifts and a variety of special dishes. “While Biltmore wines are not certified Kosher, we would like to offer pairings that complement the delicious foods that are such an important part of the Hanukkah festivities,” Sharon noted. Biltmore Grown® Beef Brisket However you prefer to prepare it (like our Brisket with Texas-Style BBQ Sauce), brisket pairs perfectly with a bold, robust wine such as The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County. Latkes It may come as a bit of a surprise, but crispy fried potato latkes are especially good when paired with a sparkling wine like our Biltmore Estate® Blanc de Blancs! Gelt Though usually given to children, these cheerful gold-wrapped chocolate coins offer adults a perfect pairing with the rich flavor of Ventágeo® Red Dessert Wine. Winter Solstice (December 21, 2023) Perfect pairings: Biltmore wines go a-wassailing! The winter solstice marks the start of winter in the northern hemisphere. Many cultures celebrate it in some fashion, although there are no well-established traditions for foods or activities. “If you’re planning a winter solstice gathering, or just enjoying some star gazing on the longest night of the year, it’s a good time to sip something hearty like our award-winning Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Malbec,” said Sharon. Mulled wine Chase away the chill in air with a steaming cup of mulled wine featuring any of our Biltmore® Wassail Spice Blend mixed with our soft Biltmore Estate® Merlot or lightly sweet Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Gewürztraminer. Port-style wine Ventágeo® Red Dessert Wine is a port-style wine that warms up winter evenings with rich tastes of sun-dried stone fruit drizzled with hints of caramel. Christmas (December 25) Celebrate Christmas with perfect pairings of Biltmore wines and your favorite holiday dishes “There are as many ways to celebrate Christmas as there are people who celebrate it,” said Sharon. “Instead of individual of wine-and-food pairings, we suggest choosing one of our convenient Biltmore wine bundles to have on hand for the holidays. That way, you’ll be able to pick perfect pairings for all your seasonal occasions.” Biltmore Tree Raising Wine Trio Deck your halls while enjoying our soft, fruit-forward Christmas at Biltmore® Red Wine, our fragrant, semi-sweet Christmas at Biltmore® White Wine, and our refreshing Christmas at Biltmore® Sparkling handcrafted from grapes grown in our estate vineyard. Biltmore Holiday Cheer Wine Trio This outstanding trio features options for every palate, from our crisp, spicy Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Dry Riesling and our approachable Vanderbilt Reserve® Pinot Noir Russian River Valley to The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County, a distinctive Bordeaux-style favorite. Savor as a set or give as thoughtful gifts of the season. Winemaker’s Wonderland Set This outstanding four-bottle set contains our refreshing Biltmore Estate® Sauvignon Blanc, velvety smooth Biltmore Estate® Cardinal’s Crest, richly layered Vanderbilt Reserve® Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, and the brilliant bubbles of Biltmore Estate® Brut. Kwanzaa (December 26, 2023–January 1, 2024) Pair the rich flavors of Praline Pumpkin Pie with the light sweetness of Biltmore Century Sweet White Wine. This week-long celebration of African cultures and principles is usually individualized by families or communities, but often includes singing, dancing storytelling, and a bountiful meal on the final night. “A Kwanzaa menu can incorporate many different foods, with as much emphasis on the sides and desserts as the main offerings,” said Sharon. “For that reason, we’ve suggested Biltmore wine pairings with a selection of some of the more traditional dishes.” Jerk chicken For spicier dishes like this, a crisp, refreshing wine like Biltmore Estate® Dry Rosé is a great complement to intense flavors and peppery heat. Savory Butternut SquashTart Savor this irresistible combination of warm spices and buttery crust with our crisp, unoaked Antler Hill® Chardonnay Carneros, recently awarded 92 points by Wine & Spirits magazine! Praline Pumpkin Pie A wine should always be slightly sweeter than the dessert with which it’s paired, like the unbeatable combination of this pie with our aromatic Biltmore® Century Sweet White Wine. New Year’s Day (January 1) Vanderbilt Reserve Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with Christmas carols! While New Year’s Eve is all about sparkling wine, the traditional menu for New Year’s Day calls for a bit more than bubbles to bring good luck in the coming months: Pork tenderloin, Hoppin’ John, and collard greens Some bold red wines are too much, while some white wines are too little, so we recommend pairing your New Year’s Day meal with our soft, approachable Vanderbilt Reserve® Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2019–it’s just right for the occasion! Valentine’s Day (February 14) Set a romantic mood with Ventágeo® Red Dessert Wine “On this most romantic holiday, there are numerous ways to celebrate, so we’ve listed some wine-and-food suggestions that allow you to pick perfect pairings for your special occasion,” Sharon said. Breakfast and brunch Start the day off right with an Orange Muscat Mimosa featuring our delightful Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Orange Muscat. Red wine and chocolates Pair your favorite chocolates with Ventágeo® Red Dessert Wine. Romantic dinner Pair Biltmore Grown® London Broil with Au Poivre Sauce and Bleu Cheese Butter with an elegant red wine such as The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County. Pick perfect pairings for all your seasonal celebrations! Find these Biltmore wines for perfect pairings–plus all your other handcrafted favorites–in estate shops, online, and close to home with our Retail Locator. For more holiday inspiration, visit our Gift Guide for Holiday Gatherings.