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 celebrates 35 years of cheers this May, we invite you to raise a glass in honor of our anniversary and in honor of NC Wine Month! 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.
Take Virtual Tours of Biltmore House and Gardens Posted on April 10, 2020 at 11:26 am.Written by Jean Sexton Ready to experience virtual tours of Biltmore House and Gardens? From the comfort of your own home, discover the timeless architecture of America’s Largest Home, renowned landscape design, breathtaking views, and storied history of this National Historic Landmark in Asheville, North Carolina. Experience Biltmore virtual tours now Like a jewel crowning the Blue Ridge Mountains, Biltmore House–an American castle–was completed in 1895. It is still owned and operated by descendants of founder George Vanderbilt. PLEASE NOTE: While each of our brief Biltmore virtual tours last less than two minutes, a typical self-guided Biltmore House visit takes about two hours, spanning three floors and the basement of George and Edith Vanderbilt’s luxurious family home–and you can spend hours discovering the wonders of Biltmore’s historic gardens and grounds! We hope you enjoy the following brief glimpse at the marvels of this historic place. Bonus: 360° Blue Ridge Mountain Views from the Loggia This is an interactive 360° video. Use your finger or cursor to look around*. Bonus: 360° View Inside the Butler’s Pantry This is an interactive 360° video. Use your finger or cursor to look around*. * Some web browsers do not support 360° video. We recommend Google Chrome or Safari. Virtual tour: Biltmore’s historic Conservatory Located in the heart of Biltmore’s Walled Garden, this architectural treasure was designed in collaboration between George Vanderbilt, Biltmore House architect Richard Morris Hunt, and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Completed along with the house in 1895, Biltmore’s Conservatory is a year-round tropical oasis with more than 2,000 exotic plants beneath its expansive glass roof. In the summer months, Biltmore’s expert staff of horticulturalists bring the tropics outdoors by filling the alleyways with exotic and fragrant plants for guests to enjoy. This brief Biltmore virtual tour video gives you an opportunity to see highlights from the Conservatory: Virtual tour: Biltmore’s gardens and grounds When George Vanderbilt first began planning his grand country retreat in 1888, he envisioned a self-sustaining estate that would nurture the land and its resources for years to come. Vanderbilt selected Frederick Law Olmsted, the founding father of American landscape architecture, to design the gardens and grounds of his estate. Perhaps best known as the designer of Central Park in New York City, Olmsted envisioned Biltmore to include formal gardens and naturalized areas, a major arboretum and nursery, and acres of systematically managed forest land. This brief Biltmore virtual video offers a quick overview of Olmsted’s masterpiece: Plan your Biltmore visit soon Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina We hope you have enjoyed each of these Biltmore virtual tours, as well as the bonus 360° videos of the Loggia and Butler’s Pantry!
Choose Biltmore’s Most Aromatic Wines for Spring Posted on March 29, 2020 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton Choose Biltmore wines this spring to experience the essence of the season. Enjoy warm weather sipping with friends and family! Savor the moment Spring is the perfect time to choose Biltmore wines, especially if you want to savor the “scent-sations” of our handcrafted varietals that complement the fresh and fragrant aromas of the season. From soft floral notes like those of a vintage perfume to bright hints of fruit and spice, these wonderful wines will take your senses on an aromatic adventure! Choose aromatic wines for spring Let’s focus on those Biltmore wines that most closely mirror the scent characteristics we associate with spring: Our 2020 Seasonal Release White Wine makes a great gift Biltmore Seasonal Release White Wine Nothing could be finer than our annual Biltmore Seasonal Release White Wine, handcrafted to capture the essence of the season. This year’s release is an aromatic, lightly sweet white blend of Gewürztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Viognier that opens with fragrances of coconut, pineapple, vanilla, and clove, and delicious flavors of rich tropical fruit. It’s available in a keepsake bottle featuring original artwork by artist Denise Nelson of Sherrils Ford, North Carolina. PAIRING TIP: Savor our Seasonal Release White Wine with a wide range of options including creamy Thai and Indian curries, spicy Asian dishes, strawberry quinoa salad, and cheesecake. Spring is the perfect season to savor Sauvignon Blanc Biltmore Estate Sauvignon Blanc Uncork a bottle of this crisp and refreshing white wine and you’ll encounter bright citrus aromas that speak to the return of warmer weather. PAIRING TIP: With fresh peach flavors and an elegant finish, our Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect partner for light spring and summer fare such as goat cheese, salads, and seafood. Biltmore wines make perfect gifts for spring Biltmore Estate Limited Release Gewürztraminer Highly expressive aromas reminiscent of spring’s lightly-sweet blooms give way to lush flavors of spice, fruit, and floral notes. If you’ve ever wondered what to pair with spicier foods, this aromatic wine is surprisingly simpatico with dishes that generate a bit of heat. PAIRING TIP: pick up your favorite Asian and Indian cuisine and uncork a bottle of our Limited Release Gewürtztraminer. Biltmore Estate Sangiovese Red wines like our Sangiovese can be surprisingly aromatic If you think red wines are too heavy for the season, just breathe in the elegant cherry aromas of our Sangiovese and you’ll imagine you’ve been transported to spring in the Italian countryside! The taste—full-bodied with ripe berry flavors intertwined with hints of chocolate—will make you glad you thought outside the red-wine-in-winter box.PAIRING TIP: For spring, serve our Sangiovese with lighter fare inspired by its Italian origins, including mushroom risotto and pasta with red sauce. Sip Pas de Deux Sec with food or create sparkling cocktails Pas de Deux Moscato Semi-sweet and bursting with tiny bubbles, this delightfully aromatic sparkling wine features the essence of orange blossom and flavors of wild strawberry and lemon. It smells and tastes as if we captured a perfect day in spring and bottled it for you to sip and savor. PAIRING TIP: Serve Pas de Deux Moscato with classic desserts like pound cake and fresh strawberries–or enjoy it in a refreshing Blackberry Basil Bellini! Put Biltmore wines on your “bucket list” for summer sipping! Stock up on aromatic spring favorites now! Although virtual, we hope this aromatic tasting helps you breathe new life into your spring wine adventures! Find all our award-winning wines online and through your local retailers.
Biltmore’s Azalea Garden: A Tribute to Chauncey Beadle Posted on March 20, 2020 at 11:41 am.Written by Amy Dangelico A favorite pastime of Biltmore Blooms is visiting the Azalea Garden—one of the largest selections of native azaleas in the country. The 15-acre garden is home to more than 20,000 plants, offering thousands upon thousands of vivid blooms of white, yellow, orange, and every shade of pink imaginable. Biltmore’s Azalea Garden in peak bloom But did you know the Azalea Garden was not actually part of the original plan for the estate? This parade of color is a culmination of the passion of Chauncey Beadle, an avid azalea collector and horticulturist hired at Biltmore in 1890 who later became the estate superintendent. Chauncey Beadle, ca. 1906 Beadle and “The Azalea Hunters” Beginning in 1930, Beadle, along with fellow botanists and friends Frank Crayton and William Knight—aptly called “The Azalea Hunters”—spent countless hours over long weekends and holidays driving through each southeastern state searching for every species, natural hybrid, form, and color of azalea. Chauncey Beadle in the Azalea Garden, ca. 1948 Beadle maintained his massive personal collection at his farm on the east side of Asheville until 1940, but he knew that he needed to find a home for his azaleas, fondly referred to as his “children,” before he became too old to care for them. He could think of no better home than the Glen in the valley below Biltmore’s Conservatory and gardens. Edith Vanderbilt Gerry and Judge Junius G. Adams, Biltmore Company president at the time, agreed. Azalea Garden ceremony, ca. 1940 Establishing the Azalea Garden In honor of his then fifty years of service to Biltmore, the estate held a celebration for Beadle* on April 1, 1940, in the Glen, which from that day forward would be named the Azalea Garden. All estate employees and their spouses were invited to the event. Edith Vanderbilt Gerry and Chauncey Beadle, ca. 1940 During the ceremony, Edith unveiled a marker that memorializes Beadle’s lifetime of faithful service and gift of his azaleas to Biltmore. Join us in celebrating the generosity and genius of Chauncey Beadle with a springtime stroll through the Azalea Garden. Plan your visit today! *Thanks to new research from our Museum Services team, we now know that nine other employees were also honored for their many years of service in the 1940 Azalea Garden ceremony, including four Black men affiliated with the Landscape Department.
Garden Parties Are a Spring Tradition at Biltmore Posted on March 3, 2020 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton Whether you’ve been to Biltmore many times or are just planning your first visit, Spring at Biltmore is a season you won’t want to miss! A tradition of outdoor festivities Colorful spring blooms in Biltmore’s Shrub Garden Flowers on parade Spring was always a special time for the Vanderbilts as they enjoyed the beauty of Biltmore’s grounds awakening from winter. The return of warmer weather also brought the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and to host garden parties and festivities for family and guests. Cornelia and Edith Vanderbilt in a carriage decorated with flowers for the 1905 Flower Carriage Parade in Biltmore Village For several years during Cornelia Vanderbilt’s childhood, her family, along with estate residents and members of the local community, celebrated the season with a parade of flower-decked carriages in Biltmore Village. Wedding bouquets On April 29, 1924, as Cornelia Vanderbilt prepared to marry the Honorable John F.A. Cecil, the gardens of Biltmore were called upon to play an important role in her wedding. Luckily, the acres of beautifully-landscaped shrubs and blooms were up to the task! Wedding party of John and Cornelia Cecil in the Tapestry Gallery of Biltmore House, 1925 “The flowers for Cornelia’s bridesmaids were ordered from New York, but they did not arrive on the train in time,” said Lizzie Borchers, Biltmore Floral Displays Manager. “So Biltmore’s gardeners came to the rescue, clipping forsythia, tulips, dogwood, quince, and other flowers and wiring them together. They were quite large compositions, twiggy, open, and very beautiful.” Cornelia’s garden party Of course, summer was also a wonderful season for garden parties. In August 1925, Cornelia Cecil celebrated her 25th birthday with an open air ball at 9:30 p.m. in the Italian Garden. At least 300 guests were invited, and party-goers danced to the Charles Freicher Orchestra amidst the splendor of twinkling lights from Japanese lanterns placed in trees and shrubbery and torches flaring in potted plants. The Italian Garden pools shimmer with reflections of Biltmore House. Exotic Victoria water platters, canna lilies, papyrus and lotus thrive here in the summer months. The Asheville Gazette described this garden party as “among the most elaborate and largest celebrations held at Biltmore House” since the estate was established. The write-up included details such as “the beautiful array of summer gowns of the many dancers made a scene as beautiful as that of gay moths and fireflies in a fairy garden,” and noted that a buffet supper was served at midnight. Celebrating Biltmore in Bloom Today, we continue to honor the Vanderbilt traditions of celebrating spring by bringing the outdoors into Biltmore House. Look for special floral arrangements throughout America’s Largest Home® during Spring at Biltmore. Plan your spring getaway today Experience Biltmore in full bloom Our restaurants and shops across the estate celebrate spring, too, with delicious seasonal menus and artful arrangements in each venue, plus special packages at The Inn on Biltmore Estate® and Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate®. Plan your special spring getaway today! Featured image: Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt in a flower-covered carriage for a spring parade in Biltmore Village, May 25, 1905
Biltmore Wines and Spring Gift Ideas Posted on February 28, 2020 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton Biltmore wines and spring gift ideas make perfect partners to help you celebrate all the holidays and occasions warmer weather brings. Spring gift ideas Biltmore wines make perfect gifts for spring From special days for Moms and Dads to wedding registries and graduations, we’ve put together a helpful list for pairing your favorite Biltmore wines with our fresh and fabulous spring gift ideas! Make Mother’s Day special Enjoy all our Limited Release wines, including Roussanne, this summer! Let Mom know how special she is this Mother’s Day with a gift inspired by the gracious hospitality for which the Vanderbilt family was famous. Choose an exclusive design from our heirloom-quality Southern Gates® sterling silver jewelry collection to remind your mother how much she means to you. In addition, our Vanderbilt Service Tea for One, featuring pretty porcelain pieces drawn from the details of an original set used in Biltmore House, gives Mom a relaxing way to make time for herself. Wine suggestions: Pair these thoughtful spring gift ideas with great wine options like our soft, elegant Biltmore Estate Pinot Noir with wild cherry aromas, delicate raspberry flavors, and smooth tannins, or our delightful, light pink Biltmore Estate Blanc de Noir sparkling wine featuring flavors of cherries and strawberries. Delight your Dad Offer a toast to Dad this Father’s Day with his favorite Biltmore wine Give Dad a gift of distinction with our handsome Lioncrest Bookends. The lifelike detailing makes them the perfect accessory for home or office. Is your father on the go? Treat him to a sophisticated new Biltmore Renaissance Overnighter Bag. Locally made, the entire collection is guaranteed for life. For dads who appreciate fine wines, consider our handsome Vanderbilt Wine Chillers featuring George Vanderbilt’s monogram. Available in two sizes and two elegant finishes, the chillers make it easy to serve Dad’s favorite wines in style. Wine suggestions: Full-bodied with complex aromas, our Antler Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley offers layers of bold fruit plus a lingering finish. Perfect now, it also has excellent aging potential. Also consider our Biltmore Estate Limited Release Sémillon—a dry white wine that is silky and palate-coating with zesty citrus aromas and fresh melon flavors. Great gifts for graduates Biltmore wines are perfect for warm weather sipping! As they cross into their next phase of life, nothing says “congratulations, graduate” better than a thoughtful piece of jewelry like our estate-inspired Crossings Necklace and matching Earrings from the elegant Southern Gates® collection for a statement that can be handed down through the generations. Wine suggestions: Pair these great spring gift ideas for grads with our rich, fruit-forward Biltmore Estate Limited Release Malbec featuring intense spice, blueberry, and plum aromas, our Biltmore Century Sweet White Wine—a semi-sweet blend with aromas of roses and fresh mint, or our elegant and refreshing Biltmore Estate Dry Rosé with a subtle, fruit-forward bouquet followed by layers of delicate berry flavors. Happily ever-afters Include Biltmore wines in your Valentine’s Day celebration! From proposals and marriage ceremonies to honeymoons, Biltmore has always been a desirable destination for romance. Our exclusive gifts give you a wide range of unique ideas to make any romantic event more special. For the gift registries and wish-lists of the bride-to-be, newlyweds, or first-time homeowners, consider our estate-inspired lamps and rugs as beautiful options they’ll treasure for years to come. Wine suggestions: Make any celebration more special with ourfinest sparkling wine—Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blancs. Crafted from North Carolina Chardonnay grapes and featuring tiny bubbles, this golden wine bursts forth with tropical and citrus flavors. Another inspired idea? Give the happy couple a gift membership in our Vanderbilt Wine Club, and they’ll think of you every time their seasonal shipments arrive! Find it all online Look for all Biltmore wines online From birthdays to baby announcements, find unique treasures online and pair your purchases with our award-winning Biltmore wines–they make perfect gifts for spring occasions (or any time of year)!
More than a Hostess: Honoring Edith Vanderbilt Posted on February 21, 2020 at 4:02 pm.Written by Amy Dangelico At the age of 25, Edith Vanderbilt married the nation’s most eligible bachelor and assumed her role as lady of America’s Largest Home®, responsible for ensuring the comfort and entertainment of Biltmore’s many guests. And yet, she was so much more than a hostess. Let’s take a look at some of Edith Vanderbilt’s most incredible efforts and achievements. Students of the Biltmore School of Domestic Science, ca. 1901 Biltmore School of Domestic Science In 1901, Edith Vanderbilt established the Biltmore School of Domestic Science, which trained young Black women in professional housekeeping. The intention behind this initiative was two-fold: to help satisfy the increasing demand for efficient domestic service in the area at the time, and—more importantly to Edith—to help women with socio-economic challenges to become gainfully employed. Coursework covered the duties of a maid, waitress, laundress, cook, and housekeeper; if a student showed a preference for a special line of work, she was given the necessary training to develop that skillset. Additionally, the school created a network to increase its graduates’ prospects of finding work: “The graduating classes form a society for houseworkers. The purpose of this society is mutual help, by raising the respect of the general public for such work and workers…Any positions that are vacant if in good families will be reported, and an effort be made to fill them from among the members of the society.” – The Home Science Magazine, Volume XX, October 1903–March 1904 Archival list of 1906 Biltmore Estate Exhibition prize winners and first and second prize ribbons Biltmore Estate Exhibition In order to nurture a sense of community among estate employees and their families, Edith organized the Biltmore Estate Exhibition, also referred to as the annual fair, in 1905. She distributed seeds as needed to all of the employees to ensure everyone could participate in the competitions. Some of the initial categories included vegetables and herbs, field crops, domestic products such as breads and preserves, needlework, and baskets. Categories later expanded to include flowers, hogs, and poultry as well as a miscellaneous category to include eggs, honey, and various other items. Prizes included ribbons and a variety of garden books. Though Edith was in London during the 1907 event, estate superintendent Chauncey Beadle wrote to her: “Not another day shall pass without a full report to you of the Exhibition, which was celebrated in the grove above the Farm Cottages yesterday afternoon with the most auspicious weather that it was possible to have. The attendance and exhibits were very satisfactory, and, I believe all who participated enjoyed the day, the social intercourse and objects which were displayed.” Thanks to oral histories, we know that the fairs continued into the 1940s. Students of the Biltmore Dairy Moonlight School, ca. 1920s (Photo courtesy of the McCarson Family) Biltmore Dairy Moonlight School In 1914, Edith founded the Biltmore Dairy Moonlight School to teach illiterate estate workers how to read and write. Her larger intention was to attack the underlying causes of economic inequality and disenfranchisement. Classes were taught by Columbia University interns and graduates, who were receiving arguably the best teacher training in the nation at the time. Edith Vanderbilt personally selected the textbook used at the school and even taught a class from time to time: “It is an interesting picture: one of the world’s richest women… teaching dairy workers how to read and write in a horse barn in the mountains of North Carolina.” – “Aristocracy and Appalachia: Edith Vanderbilt and Her Moonlight School” (2011) by Wilkie L. Whitney While Biltmore’s was certainly not the first moonlight school, the model Edith pioneered was so effective, it inspired the foundation of many similar programs across North Carolina—all with the support of Edith as their most vocal advocate. Edith Vanderbilt (second from right) and her fellow Red Cross volunteers, ca. 1917–1919 (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress: American National Red Cross Collection) Red Cross Efforts during the Great War When the United States became involved in the first World War, Edith Vanderbilt was splitting her time between Biltmore and Washington, DC—but no matter where she was, she always found ways to support the Red Cross during this turbulent time. While in Asheville, she sponsored a golf tournament to raise funds for the Red Cross. “The trophy was the gift of Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt, the rules providing that all entrance fees went to the Red Cross, and that no trophies should be given unless donated.“ – “Carolina Mountains Having Great Season,” The Times Dispatch, 19 August 1917 While in Washington, DC, she volunteered with the Red Cross as part of a Canteen Unit, which provided hot coffee, light refreshments, and mail services to troops at railroad junctions. True to form, Edith was recognized for going above and beyond at her Canteen’s encampment: “Mrs. George Vanderbilt is quite wonderful, so cool and collected and executive. She took her motor and went off shopping, bought some extra equipment, a table for the tent to hold the telephone, some camp chairs, a rake to rake up the trash, a pump to pump the water into the cauldron, a mail bag, stamps, wire baskets; besides, she organized the post-office.” – Presidents and Pies: Life in Washington 1897–1919 (1920) by Isabel Anderson Edith Vanderbilt arriving at the first State Fair during her tenure as president, ca. 1921 First Female President of the North Carolina Agricultural Society In 1920, Edith Vanderbilt was elected the first female president of the North Carolina Agricultural Society as well as the 60th State Fair. Her first address in the role was one for the books. “Anti-suffragists who have feared woman’s entrance into politics found themselves happy today when Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt made about the smartest 15-minute speech to a joint session of the general assembly heard within the historic walls of the state house in a long time…explaining in the outset that it would be like the modern skirt, to the extent that its length would cover the subject and its brevity attract attention. She was right.” – “Woman Makes First Address to Legislature,” The Charlotte Observer, 3 February 1921 Under her leadership, the State Fair focused more on agriculture as opposed to sideshows. Edith traveled and wrote widely to promote the event and help attract exhibitors. She also led initiatives to improve the fairgrounds. She would ultimately be re-elected to lead the 1922, 1923, and 1924 fairs, and then continued to serve on the executive committee following her tenure as president. Edith Vanderbilt (center) and her daughter Cornelia (left of center) greet guests arriving in Biltmore Village, ca. 1924 More than a Hostess Beyond her duties as wife, mother, and lady of the house, Edith Vanderbilt felt a great responsibility towards her community. She was passionate about education, agriculture, and literacy. She was active in civic affairs at the local, state, and national level. Perhaps most impressive, she used her privilege to support those in need and the causes in which she so strongly believed. Cheers to this extraordinary woman! Feature image: Edith Vanderbilt gathering letters from soldiers while volunteering for the Red Cross, ca. 1918 (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress: American National Red Cross Collection)
Tulips in Biltmore’s Walled Garden: A Brief History Posted on February 6, 2020 at 12:00 am.Written by Amy Dangelico Each spring, thousands upon thousands of beautiful and brightly colored tulips fill the formal flowerbeds of Biltmore’s Walled Garden. Their vivid hues are a favorite part of the season for many guests. But preparation for the show actually begins long before warmer weather arrives. According to Parker Andes, director of Horticulture: “Planting for spring in the Walled Garden begins months before you see the results. One reason we get continuous color is because we plant several varieties of up to six bulbs per hole!“ In honor of this seasonal celebration, let’s take a look at the history of tulips in Biltmore’s Walled Garden. The Vegetable and Flower Garden (now the Walled Garden), cica 1895 The Vegetable and Flower Garden Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted originally envisioned the Walled Garden as a multipurpose space, providing fine fruits and vegetables as well as fresh flowers for Biltmore House. The design was inspired by English kitchen gardens, which were often walled to protect them from wind and wild animals. George Vanderbilt, however, did not share this vision. Instead, he thought the Walled Garden should be one of “ornament, not utility.” While fruits and vegetables were grown there intermittently, most of them were gradually phased out over time. Tulips in the Walled Garden, circa 1930 The Earliest Hint of Tulips It is difficult to say exactly when tulips made their debut in the Walled Garden. However, one letter in our archives tells us the blooming bulbs have been planted there for almost a century. On April 14, 1922, Estate Superintendent Chauncey Beadle wrote to Cornelia Vanderbilt: “The tulips in the walled garden are so glorious that we are trying out an experiment of sending you a box today by express for Easter. We shall hope they will bring you something of their original beauty and charm to make Easter even more wonderful. Spring is very much advanced here, even the yellow rambler roses are opening.“ The showy flower was perhaps chosen for the dramatic beds of the Walled Garden as an homage to the Dutch heritage of the Vanderbilts—and the term “Biltmore.” The name selected for the family’s country retreat derives from “Bildt,” the town in Holland where George Vanderbilt’s ancestors originated, and “more,” an Old English word for open, rolling land. Tulips have served as a status symbol for the Dutch since the height of “Tulipmania” in the mid-1600s when speculation on rare bulbs created an investment bubble and the price of one bulb was equal to ten years of income. Tulips in the Walled Garden delight guests year after year. The Tradition Continues Tulips in Biltmore’s Walled Garden have long been a favorite element of the season. Even before Biltmore House opened to the public in 1930, the Vanderbilts allowed some public access to the area a few days a week during spring so that locals and out-of-state visitors alike could enjoy estate gardens in bloom. This tradition continues today with Spring at Biltmore, our seasonal celebration of the estate’s ever-changing progression of springtime blooms. Plan your visit today and join us as we delight in the more than 80,000 tulip bulbs that lend their dramatic color to the Walled Garden.