Finding Summer Beauty in the Italian Garden Posted on August 5, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux If you’re visiting Biltmore soon, make a beeline for the Italian Garden. Located adjacent to Biltmore House, this formal garden is in its prime late summer. Filled with numerous varieties of exotic water lilies, tropical bananas, papyrus, and koi fish, the Italian Garden is a sight to behold. Magical Lilies Biltmore gardeners Chuck Cissell and Steven Ayers have been hard at work all year ensuring all the elements are in place for spectacular summer blooms. The Italian Garden gets better every year. This year, it is over the top again and this is probably the best year yet for seeing our water lilies. All three pools feature different water lilies including hardy and tropical varieties. We’re especially fond of our tropical water lilies that open up in the evening and bloom until mid-morning. If you’re an early morning guest or an overnight guest, sneak down to the Italian Garden to enjoy this unique display. Many guests don’t realize that lily blooms only last for three days. Many refer to the bloom process as being “sort of magical.” The blooms from the tropical lilies sit above the water and feature bright white, pink, red and even blue blossoms. It’s a marvelous sight to see and just another amazing example of nature’s beauty. If you miss the tropical night blooms, don’t worry. We have planted different varieties, so guests visiting during the day can still enjoy flowers from day blooming tropical and hardy lilies as well. Look for the blooms through the first cold snap, which can be as early as September or as late as October. The Italian Garden closely resembles the original blueprint by Olmsted, with the only main difference being the center bed display. Blooming Blueprint While the lilies are the one the highlights of the Italian Garden, the pools include an array of other plants. Lotus, Victoria water platters, canna lilies, papyrus, water snowflakes, and purple leaf rice are all in bloom right now. Perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of visiting the Italian Garden is the fact that the design intent has remained unchanged since Vanderbilt’s time. Two of the pools have been refurbished, and the Hemlock hedges have recently been replaced with American Holly hedges to stay true to Olmsted’s vision for the garden. The plants used pay homage to gardening notes and plant orders found in estate archives. We don’t do anything different in the Italian Garden than what they did back in George Vanderbilt’s day. Bring Home the Beauty of the Italian Garden Water Gardening is easier than you think. Below are some quick tips for creating a backyard water garden: Select a sturdy, large ceramic container that can hold water. Find a location that receives at least eight hours of sunlight, and use pavers or bricks to form a level base for the container. Start with a fool-proof water plant such as tropical water lilies. Plant the water lily in a small plastic container filled with topsoil and plunge the pot into the larger container filled with water. Cover the soil with pebbles or sand to prevent muddy water. The top of the lily’s pot should be eight inches below the surface of the water. If necessary, add bricks or blocks to form a base within the water container. Finish off the water garden by adding water lettuce or other floating plants. Maintain your water garden by cutting spent blooms on the lily and pushing a fertilizer tablet into the lily’s soil every few weeks. Learn more about our gardens and grounds.
A Match Made In Design Heaven Posted on July 26, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Biltmore Panel Bed This handsome bed, inspired by the strong lines of a wrapped footboard from one of the guest beds in Biltmore House, is an heirloom-quality piece that sets a new standard for comfort and elegance. Notice how the design of this bed creates an immediate sense of intimacy, as though sleepers are set apart in their own world. Sweet Charity Pair the slightly masculine lines of the Biltmore Panel Bed with Charity, our lovely new bedding collection by Belk. Woven in a deep teal and gold filigree color scheme, Charity is a luxurious addition to any bedroom. Design Tip A print in an attractive frame adds another layer of richness and depth to a room. To easily mix with many different colors and designs, consider a black-and-white print like “The Dance of the Nymphs,” shown here in a Biltmore-inspired frame from the Tapestry Collection by Larson-Juhl. The print itself is taken directly from one of George Vanderbilt’s treasured art books. Learn more about these products and many other matches made in design heaven.
The Royal Bundle Revives a Biltmore Memory Posted on July 26, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux This week’s arrival of William and Kate’s baby – His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge – has us thinking back to the summer of 1996 when the child’s grandfather, Prince Charles, visited Biltmore. The occasion? To launch the first American Summer School of the Prince of Wales’ Institute of Architecture. Biltmore House hosted the school’s students for a week that summer. They studied drawing while immersing themselves in the works of the estate’s designers Richard Morris Hunt and Frederic Law Olmsted. The idea for hosting the school came after William A.V. Cecil Sr., George Vanderbilt’s grandson, attended a dinner party at the Prince’s Gloucestershire estate in 1995. The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Mr. Cecil said the Prince was interested in supporting good architecture in the aftermath of World War II. The war devastated many historic structures in London, and the city’s reconstruction wasn’t to everyone’s liking. That sentiment, he said, inspired Prince Charles to start the school. While the Prince was at Biltmore, William and Mimi Cecil hosted a reception for him and his staff on the Loggia of Biltmore House. As the photo shows, the Prince’s visit caught the attention of lots of news photographers and of course, Biltmore guests! Planning for such a visit during Biltmore’s high season was no small task, having started many months ahead of the June visit. Countless phone calls between Biltmore and Buckingham Palace took place, says Debbie Robinson, who works in Biltmore’s Marketing Department. Bill Alexander, Biltmore’s Landscape and Forest Historian, was part of the welcome party that day, and with Bill Cecil, Jr., toured the Prince and his party through the gardens and Conservatory. So impressed with the gardens and Bill Alexander’s knowledge about the history of Biltmore and gardening in general, the Prince offered a special invitation. “He said that I was welcome to visit Highgrove, his country estate in Gloucestershire,” says Bill, noting he’d shared his upcoming plan to lead a tour group through the English countryside with stops at notable gardens along the way. Bill made an immediate change to the group’s itinerary and later that fall, he and his tour group were welcomed by the Prince’s staff at his home. Unfortunately, an emergency took the Prince away from home that day, but his staff received Bill and the group like honored guests, treating them to an elaborate tea held in the Prince’s dining room after a grand tour by the head gardener. It’s a lovely footnote in Biltmore’s recent history. We hope that Prince Charles is enjoying his new grandson. And our most heart-felt congratulations to William and Kate! About the Photos Main photo: William A.V. Cecil Sr. greets Prince Charles at the front door of Biltmore House, Summer 1996. Photo courtesy of the Asheville Citizen-Times, by Debbie Chase-Jennings.
Greg’s Favorite Places Posted on July 14, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux As head instructor for the Land Rover Experience Driving School at Biltmore, Greg Nikolas has what many people consider an ideal job. Greg drives luxurious and highly capable Land Rovers to rarely seen places on the estate while instructing guests on how to improve their off-road driving skills. The experiences range from 1 or 2-hour lessons on obstacle courses with steep descents, side-tilts, and rock crawls to full-day training in off-road techniques and recovery. He doesn’t deny that it’s fun—he’s worked for Land Rover for 15 years, including the past 9 years at Biltmore’s program. And while he enjoys the time he spends navigating and instructing guests as they pilot Land Rovers through woods and fields, there are two locations on the estate he considers his favorites. The first spot is the statue of Diana, located at the top of the Vista that faces Biltmore House. “The view of Biltmore House from Diana is spectacular. Every time I’m there I think about how George Vanderbilt must have felt seeing his home from this vantage point. This particular view really puts the house’s size and splendor into perspective,” Greg says. His other favorite is less well-known but just as scenic. Picnic Hill is located on the estate’s west side, across the French Broad River from Biltmore House and Antler Hill Village. There is limited access to this spot; it’s primarily visited by guests participating in a Land Rover activity. Picnic Hill overlooks Long Valley Lake, the vineyards, and provides a unique glimpse of the Inn on Biltmore Estate. “It is so peaceful and serene there that you could be miles from anywhere. In reality, you’re only minutes from Asheville and the rest of the estate,” Greg says. “As its name suggests, we use it for picnics on our full-day adventures. And it’s been the scene for more than one marriage proposal!”
Grilled Summer Vegetable & Goat Cheese Pizzetas Posted on July 14, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Nothing says summer like the fresh, grilled vegetables of the season. Drizzle with a delicious vinaigrette and bake atop a homemade pizza crust and you’ve got an amazing appetizer or light lunch. For the perfect finish, serve with a glass of crisp and refreshing Biltmore Sauvignon Blanc. Serves 4-5 Pizzeta Dough Ingredients 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar 2–3 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 1 teaspoon dried tarragon 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon quick-rising dry yeast 1 cup warm water Pizzeta Topping Ingredients 2 heirloom tomatoes 1 red onion 1 small zucchini 1 small yellow squash 2 portabella mushrooms Salt and pepper to taste Herb vinaigrette salad dressing 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese 12 basil leaves, thinly sliced Preparation Instructions Dough: Combine flour, sugar, garlic, basil, rosemary, tarragon, olive, oil, vegetable oil, and salt in a mixing bowl; mix with a dough hook. Add the yeast and mix at low speed. Add ½ cup of the water gradually, mixing constantly. Add the remaining water gradually, mixing constantly until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. Mix at low-to-medium speed for 3–4 more minutes. Remove to an oiled bowl, turning to coat the surface. Let dough rise, covered with a clean towel, until doubled in bulk. Punch down the dough and let rise again until doubled in bulk. Punch down to remove air bubbles and divide into 4–5 equal portions. Preheat a grill for 10–15 minutes until hot. Place each portion of Pizzeta Dough on an inverted cake pan or baking pan and press gently into a circle. Invert the pans on the grill so that the dough circles rest on the grill. Grill for 1–2 minutes or until the dough is set. Remove the pans and turn the crusts over. Grill until the other side is marked. Remove from the grill. Pizzetas: Cut the tomatoes, onion, zucchini, yellow squash, and mushrooms into chunks. Combine with the salt, pepper and dressing in a bowl. Toss to coat evenly. Drizzle vegetables with salad dressing and toss to coat evenly. Grill the vegetables until tender-crisp. Chop into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle over the pizzetta crusts. Sprinkle the goat cheese over the vegetables. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake pizzetas until the cheese melts and the crusts are crisp. Sprinkle with chopped basil. Cut into wedges to serve. Tip Pizzetas are simply small/individual-style grilled pizzas. Try any combination of toppings and sauces that you enjoy!
Grilled Shrimp with Spicy Jalapeño Chimichurri Posted on July 13, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Chef Damien Cavicchi is heating things up this summer with his recipe for Grilled Shrimp with Spicy Jalapeño Chimichurri. For a delicious pairing, serve this dish with Biltmore Century White. The wine is refreshing, with hints of tropical and citrus fruit, plus a nice balance of sweetness to tame a bit of the spicy heat in this sizzling summer favorite! Serves 4 Ingredients 2 medium jalapeño peppers 2 cups cilantro, large stems removed, finely chopped 2 cups Italian flat leaf parsley, large stems removed, finely chopped 1 cup green onions, finely sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon ground cumin Zest and juice of 2 large limes ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste 24 large shrimp (about 1½ pounds), peeled and deveined Preparation Instructions Preheat grill, grill pan, or iron skillet to medium-high heat. Grill jalapeños until black on sides, about 5 minutes. Place peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to loosen outer skin. Remove black outer skin, stem, and seeds. Finely chop peppers. In the bowl of a food processor, combine cilantro, parsley, onions, peppers, garlic, cumin, and lime zest and juice. With motor running, add ½ cup oil in a steady stream. Stop processor to scrape down sides of bowl, and pulse a few more times to achieve a medium-coarse texture. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss shrimp with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill about 2 minutes per side on the hottest part of the grill, until pink and opaque. Serve immediately with chimichurri sauce. See more Biltmore recipes.
Elaine’s Favorite Place Posted on July 9, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Elaine Breault’s daily responsibilities often take her all around Biltmore. As operations manager for Lioncrest, Deerpark Restaurant, and Biltmore Catering, she manages the private events, weddings, and conferences hosted at these venues in addition to managing functions off the estate that use Biltmore Catering. Four years of handling these duties has resulted in Elaine being pretty familiar with locations around the estate. And she has a couple of favorite places–that you may not be aware of–that keep drawing her back time after time. One area is located behind the Inn on Biltmore Estate; there are hiking trails that Elaine uses for running when she feels like a challenge. “The trail behind the inn is marked with good signage, and I usually turn right and run by the Brooder House, which used to be a chicken coop,” she says. “This particular trail also offers great long-range mountain views.” There’s another location she likes for a completely different reason. The paved path that connects Antler Hill Village and the Lagoon is a favorite for both Elaine and her pit bull/lab mix named Lola. This is a popular trail for dogs and people alike as it passes through fields with the French Broad River nearby. “Lola loves to walk here because she meets so many other dogs,” Elaine says.
Hope’s Favorite Place Posted on July 1, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux If you attended a seminar hosted by A Gardener’s Place, you may have met Hope Wright. In addition to her responsibilities as a sales associate in our garden shop, she conducts the free daily seminars on gardening and flower arranging offered throughout the year. Which means Hope is one of the lucky few who can gather materials from Biltmore’s gardens to create beautiful arrangements seen in displays. Since she’s spent 14 years at A Gardener’s Place, it’s only natural that several of our gardens hold her most preferred locations on the estate. One of her favorite walks begins at Biltmore House and continues down into the Shrub Garden, bypassing the steps that lead to the Walled Garden. She recommends stopping there to admire the glory of a Weeping Blue Atlas cedar. As you continue toward the Shrub Garden, take a trail that cuts up to the right. Then turn around to view the many dogwood varieties that thrive here. “This area is unofficially known as the ‘dogetum’, a take on the word arboretum,” Hope says. “I continue to be amazed at the variety of interesting dogwoods—my favorite is the variegated Weeping Kousa Dogwood.” The view from this location on the trail is amazing. “You can see a tiny section of the Conservatory through the evergreens, and a fabulous view of the entire Walled Garden,” she says. “I like to sit on the cast iron Victorian bench and take a few moments just to appreciate the scenery.” In springtime, you can see the tulips in full bloom, but summer also serves up beauty with the Walled Garden bursting with bright annuals. “Take a few minutes to go off the beaten path—there’s always a new sight to behold in every season,” Hope says. Learn more about our gardens and grounds.
Pairing Grill & Grigio For Summer Posted on June 29, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Chef Brian Hough of Stable Café has created a great grilling recipe that brings together classic Indian cuisine and a fresh take on chickpeas with the intriguing taste and texture of charred broccolini. Enjoy this recipe for Tandoori Spiced Grilled Chicken with Chickpea Salad and Charred Broccolini with Biltmore Pinot Grigio. Crisp and off-dry, our Pinot Grigio offers a touch of fruitiness with hints of lime and tangerine, plus a nice acidity to balance the heat of the Tandoori spices without overwhelming the vegetables. Tandoori Spiced Grilled Chicken with Chickpea Salad & Charred Broccolini Serves 4 Chicken Ingredients 2 cups plain yogurt 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 8 skinless chicken leg-thigh pieces (substitute white meat for a healthier alternative) Chick Pea Salad Ingredients 1 (15 1/2 – ounce) can garbanzo beans 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 seedless cucumber halved and thinly sliced on a bias 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 red onion, finely julienned Salt and pepper Broccolini Ingredients 1/2 lb fresh broccolini 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 fresh lemon 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (for garnish) Preparation Instructions Blend yogurt and all seasonings in a large bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 48 hours. Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high. Mix together the garbanzo beans, olive oil, cucumber slices, tomatoes, and red onion. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and reserve at room temperature until ready to serve. Toss broccolini lightly in olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill until lightly charred on both sides, about 3–5 minutes. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and reserve. Grill chicken to an internal temperature of 170 degrees, about 10–12 minutes, turning to prevent burning. Serve chicken over chickpea salad and garnish with the broccolini and chopped cilantro. Learn more about our Pinot Grigio. See all Biltmore recipes.
Biltmore Wines Take The Gold Posted on June 27, 2013 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux If you think wines from a North Carolina winery might have trouble competing with some of the finest wines from around the world—think again! Biltmore Wines faced stiff competition this spring to win gold medals and high points rankings from several of the most prestigious national and international wine events in the industry. Don’t take our word for it—taste our outstanding wines for yourself. Whether you’re sipping them by the glass or enjoying them paired with your favorite foods, we think you’ll agree that our wines, handcrafted in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, make any occasion more special. Consumer Wine Awards Gold Medal – Biltmore Chardonnay Sur Lies Gold Medal – Biltmore Century Red Beverage Testing Institute 90 Points – Biltmore Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon North Carolina 2011 89 Points & Best Buy – Biltmore Reserve Chardonnay North Carolina 2011 87 Points – Biltmore Century Red 87 Points – Biltmore Century White San Diego International Gold Medal – Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blancs Tasters Guild International Double Gold Medal – Limited Release Tempranillo Double Gold Medal – Blanc de Noir Gold Medal – Malvasia Gold Medal – Cabernet Franc Gold Medal – Antler Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Shop all Biltmore wines. Find a Biltmore wine retailer near you.