Biltmore - the rest of the story

We loved seeing the interior of the house but it was time to head outside and enjoy some of the 8,000 acres of the estate.  There was a beautiful patio/overlook next to the house so we ventured down the stairs.

And we were treated to the view that inspired George Vanderbilt to create this beautiful estate.  Note the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance.

From there we started the journey down the walkway to the gardens.

And on to the "main event".

And then it was on to the Conservatory.

Completed in 1896, the Conservatory features tall, arched windows that look out to the terraced butterfly garden and Walled Garden.  This beautiful place displays an ever-present abundance of lush, fragrant tropical displays.

There were benches throughout where visitors can sit and enjoy the displays.

It was beautiful both inside and out.

Back on the shuttle to get the truck and drive to Antler Hill.

Antler Hill Village's name comes from the name of a "fine high ridge" found in estate records.  From the Civil War into the 1930s, the ridge was the site of Antler Hall, a residence and social center for many estate families.  Oral history records reveal fond memories of gatherings for estate employees, including an employee Christmas party, dances, fall fairs and classes in the evenings.

It had already been a long day and we hadn't had lunch so, of course, we had to make a stop.

Cedric, a smooth coat St. Bernard, was a loyal companion to George Vanderbilt.  Though it is not known exactly how George came to own Cedric, it is known that he was brought to the estate from George's summer home sometime around the opening of Biltmore House in 1895 when Cedric was likely 1-3 years old.

By 1901, there was a whole family of St. Bernards living at Biltmore, all adored by the Vanderbilts and their guests.  George gifted St. Bernards (believed to have been sired by Cedric) to friends and family.  In 1902, George's friend Rev. William Croswell Doane lost his faithful St. Bernard named Cluny, so George gave him a puppy named Balder.  A few years later, George and Edith also gave a St. Bernard puppy to their nephew, John Nicholas Brown, who also named his dog Cedric.

Cornelia and Cedric playing ball

We sat on the patio - it was hot so we needed a drink.

Hibiscus Mimosa

We had made reservations for wine tasting - complimentary and booked on the app the day of the visit - so after lunch it was time to make our way to the winery.

The complimentary wine tastings are another extension of the Vanderbilt's signature gracious hospitality.  The wine hosts introduce guests to some of the winery's most popular and award winning vintages while sharing a brief history of Biltmore's vineyards and wine operations.

It's all very organized and people wait at the door for their time to enter - eight people at a time belly up to one of the beautiful bars.  I think there were four or five tasting bars all in various stages of tastings.

Miguel welcomed us and let us each choose which wines we wanted to taste.

Cheers!

Of course we had to peruse the gift shop - what's wine tasting if you don't leave with a bottle (or four) of wine?