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1900
Construction of the Main Dairy and Horse Barn begins.
The Horse Barn is a thriving social and work center for the families who farmed Biltmore, and the agricultural heart of the estate. It remains a unique connection to the estate’s past.
1983
The Biltmore Estate Wine Company is established.
Construction begins on a new winery in what had been the estate’s dairy. Mr. Cecil proclaims that it is “the most historic event since my grandfather had opened his estate to his family on Christmas Day ninety years earlier.” The winery opens to guests in 1985.
From the Biltmore site: You may be surprised to learn that our winery is housed in a converted dairy barn. This is no ordinary dairy barn, however. It was originally designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the architect for Biltmore House. After the dairy barn was no longer in use, William A.V. Cecil, the grandson of Biltmore’s original owner George W. Vanderbilt, decided that a winery would be the natural outcome of ongoing research and a logical extension of his grandfather’s intention that the estate be self-supporting. In 1985, the Winery officially opened to the public.
Biltmore’s vineyard is located in a valley near the French Broad River on the west side of the estate. The first vines were planted in 1971. Varieties grown include Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. All grapes are picked by hand, with each harvest averaging 250 tons of grapes annually.
https://www.biltmore.com/blog/a-shared-history-of-wine/
Construction of the Main Dairy and Horse Barn begins.
The Horse Barn is a thriving social and work center for the families who farmed Biltmore, and the agricultural heart of the estate. It remains a unique connection to the estate’s past.
1983
The Biltmore Estate Wine Company is established.
Construction begins on a new winery in what had been the estate’s dairy. Mr. Cecil proclaims that it is “the most historic event since my grandfather had opened his estate to his family on Christmas Day ninety years earlier.” The winery opens to guests in 1985.
From the Biltmore site: You may be surprised to learn that our winery is housed in a converted dairy barn. This is no ordinary dairy barn, however. It was originally designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the architect for Biltmore House. After the dairy barn was no longer in use, William A.V. Cecil, the grandson of Biltmore’s original owner George W. Vanderbilt, decided that a winery would be the natural outcome of ongoing research and a logical extension of his grandfather’s intention that the estate be self-supporting. In 1985, the Winery officially opened to the public.
Biltmore’s vineyard is located in a valley near the French Broad River on the west side of the estate. The first vines were planted in 1971. Varieties grown include Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. All grapes are picked by hand, with each harvest averaging 250 tons of grapes annually.
https://www.biltmore.com/blog/a-shared-history-of-wine/
Oct 25 2021