A mix of colorful outdoor beauty, wine appreciation and sumptuous culinary offerings populate Biltmore’s fall calendar.
Biltmore’s autumn landscape presents a prime opportunity for fans of changing leaf color. In addition to tours through the 250-room Biltmore House, “leaf-peepers” can explore the estate’s mums-filled gardens; miles of hiking and biking trails; crafts demonstrations and friendly farm animals at Antler Hill Farm. Guided outdoor experiences include horseback riding, Segway tours, sporting clays, fly fishing, the Land Rover Driving School and river float trips.
“Taste the Estate” in September
Perfect for wine and food lovers, Biltmore kicks off the season with “Taste the Estate” to celebrate North Carolina Wine Month and the estate’s long history of winemaking. Guests may take part in free tastings, luxurious wine-focused meals and specialty tours across the estate.
Among the complimentary wine experiences, the Winery tour and Grand Tasting gives guests an opportunity to sample two dozen Biltmore wines, including an exclusive tasting of Biltmore’s Chateau Reserve Blanc de Blancs North Carolina 2010.
Premium wine experiences include Biltmore Bubbles, a look at how Biltmore makes its sparkling varieties with tastings; Red Wine & Chocolate seminar, featuring a wine host guiding you through a series of sips that pair Biltmore’s reds to various types of chocolate; and the Vine to Wine Tour, which visits areas on the estate typically not open for tours, including a trip to the vineyards. Sample wines throughout the tour and conclude with a grand tasting. Estate restaurants will offer special Wine Flights. The Inn on Biltmore Estate will offer Sip & Savor in the Library Lounge daily after 5 p.m., pairing Biltmore Wines with small plate offerings.
“Taste the Estate” maps will be available on site as well as online, and will detail the locations of free and premium wine tasting experiences across the estate.
Wine Dinners
Biltmore’s winemakers have teamed up with the estate’s award-winning chefs to create four special dining experiences:
- Cottage Dinners, Sept. 5 and Sept. 12: Biltmore’s historic Market Gardener’s Cottage is the site of two special wine dinners created by Inn on Biltmore Estate’s Chef David Ryba. Enjoy a six-course dinner in a charming outdoor setting, accompanied by live music. Each course is paired with a Biltmore Wine by the Inn’s Certified Sommelier, Artur Loli. $174 per person, including tax and gratuity. Call 877-890-9096 to reserve, or visit www.biltmore.com.
- Moveable Feast at Winery Courtyard, Sept. 19: Dine al fresco in the Winery Courtyard, starting with an hors d’oeuvres reception and followed by a menu designed by Executive Chef Kirk Fiore. Dine on six courses featuring seasonal, estate-raised ingredients paired with Biltmore’s finest wines. $165 per person, including tax and gratuity. Call 828-257-5995 to reserve, or visit www.biltmore.com.
- Winemaker’s Dinner in the Champagne Cellar, Sept. 26: Biltmore’s Winemaker Bernard Delille will pair Biltmore wines with a menu using local North Carolina ingredients designed by Bistro’s Executive Chef Paul Klaassen. The Winery’s Champagne Cellar is the site for this intimate four-course wine dinner. $160 per person, including tax and gratuities. This dinner is limited to 30. Call 800-411-3812 to reserve, or visit www.biltmore.com.
Live After Five in the Village
On Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 5 p.m., Biltmore hosts Live After Five in Antler Hill Village with live music on the Village Bandstand. The Grape Stomp takes place right outside the entrance to the Winery. Families will enjoy the nearby farm, where kids can run off energy, play at Pisgah Playground and visit with the farm’s friendly resident goats, chickens, horses, sheep and other small animals. Antique tractors and wagons are there to climb, and blacksmith Doc Cudd demonstrates his craft.
Celebrate Labor Day, Fall and Halloween at Inn on Biltmore Estate
Inn on Biltmore Estate is offering several specials through the season:
- The Labor Day Celebration Package (Aug. 30-Sept. 1) includes two nights, access to Biltmore House and estate through length of stay, a Celebration Dinner at Antler Hill Barn, fireworks and more.
- A Fall Celebration Package (Oct. 24-26) will coincide with the inn’s Halloween Weekend. The package includes accommodations for two, dinner at Antler Hill Barn with live music and games on Oct. 25. Additional Halloween activities during the weekend include a Guest Pumpkin Carving Contest (the winner receives a two-night stay next year on the same weekend) and the Lighting of the Pumpkins on the Grand Terrace. A Candy Station in the lobby will offer Halloween treats for all. Call 866-336-1245 or book online at www.biltmore.com/stay.
- The Inn is also offering the Our State Package (Oct. 31-Nov. 2), which highlights Biltmore’s agricultural history. The package includes two nights; a Legacy of the Land Tour; a West Side presentation by Ted Katsigianis, Biltmore’s vice president of agricultural sciences; a three-course dinner with wine in Antler Hill Barn and more. Call 866-336-1245 or book online at www.biltmore.com/stay.
Fall travel deals at Biltmore
From Sept. 2 through October, save $12 on daytime admission if tickets are purchased online seven days or more prior to visiting at www.biltmore.com. Book within six days of visiting and save $7. Children age 9 and younger are FREE. Youth ages 10 to 16 are half off the adult admission price. Seniors receive $12 off daytime admission price on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning Sept. 2.
More information about fall at Biltmore is available at www.biltmore.com.