Biltmore is Open and Welcoming Guests: Know Before You Go

Agriculture and Sustainability

When George Vanderbilt created Biltmore, he envisioned a country estate modeled after private manors in Europe. His vision was for his home to be completely self-sufficient and a model for the future. Farming on the estate dates back to before the construction of Biltmore House was complete. Today, the estate continues to practice agriculture that produces beef, lamb, pork, and field crops for on-site dining; as well as a 50-acre vineyard that grows Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes.

News Releases and Related Resources

photo icon

News Release

Sustainability at Biltmore: An Overview

Asheville, N.C.

When George Vanderbilt began planning his grand estate in Asheville, N.C., his vision was twofold. First, he...

Read More Gold Arrow
photo icon

News Release

Sustainability at Biltmore: New composting facility is helping Biltmore turn waste into an asset

FACT SHEET In alignment with George Vanderbilt’s original vision of a self-sustaining estate, Biltmore recently installed a...

Read More Gold Arrow

Cattle grazing in a shady pasture on Biltmore's grounds. The estate's agriculture program has 700 head of registered black angus cattle. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Cattle grazing in a pasture on Biltmore's grounds. The estate's agriculture program has 700 head of registered black angus cattle. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Sheep grazing in a shady spot. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company

Sheep graze in a field near Biltmore House. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

The sheep barn at Biltmore is near Biltmore House, and visible from one of the guest roads. Each spring this field is filled with newborn lambs. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Berkshire hogs represent some of the same heritage breeds that were raised at Biltmore during George Vanderbilt's day. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Estate sheep routinely graze near Biltmore's solar panel field, a 9-acre, 1.7-megawatt solar system with 7,000 solar panels, supported by technology that powers the panels - even on cloudy days. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Estate sheep routinely graze near Biltmore's solar panel field, a 9-acre, 1.7-megawatt solar system with 7,000 solar panels, supported by technology that powers the panels - even on cloudy days. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Biltmore's hydroponic systems are in place in the Production Garden on the West Side of the estate, producing products used in estate restaurants. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Biltmore grows almost a dozen varieties of lettuce and other leafy greens in the estate hydroponic greenhouse. The system produces higher and more consistent yields, is more efficient in protecting plants from pests, and uses less water than standard field irrigation. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company

Biltmore grows almost a dozen varieties of lettuce and other leafy greens in the estate hydroponic greenhouse. The system produces higher and more consistent yields, is more efficient in protecting plants from pests, and uses less water than standard field irrigation. Pictured here is Sarah Woodby, manager of Biltmore's hydroponic greenhouses. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company

Biltmore plants pollinator-friendly wildflowers to help in preventing the demise of a variety of important species including hummingbirds, bees, and moths. More than 30 varieties of wildflowers are grown across a 2.5-acre area to attract these small but vital native animals. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company

Fall marks the beginning of Biltmore's winemaking process, starting with the seasonal harvest. Grapes are hand-picked in the vineyard on the estate's west side and are brought to the Winery for processing. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Fall marks the beginning of Biltmore's winemaking process, starting with the seasonal harvest. Grapes are hand-picked in the vineyard on the estate's west side and are brought to the Winery for processing. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Fall marks the beginning of Biltmore's winemaking process, starting with the seasonal harvest. Grapes are hand-picked in the vineyard on the estate's west side and are brought to the Winery for processing. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Biltmore's cork recycling efforts are just one of the many initiatives led by employees on the estate's Corporate Social Responsibility Team. Corks are a renewable and biodegradable material harvest through an environmentally friendly process. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Biltmore's centralized on-site composting facility features a system designed by Advanced Composting Technologies, LLC. It's designed to process 1,200 tons of finished compost per year, and has storage for up to 1,000 cubic yards of compost at any given time. Photo Credit: The Biltmore Company.

A sample of finished compost at Biltmore's centralized on-site composting facility. Finished compost product is spread on the estate's crop fields, livestock pastures and turf and gardens, which reduces the need for fertilizer. Photo credit: The Biltmore Company.

Contact Our Public Relations Department for Media Image Requests

Contact Us