Biltmore Winery is the wine program built into Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC — the country’s largest privately owned home, built by George Vanderbilt in the 1890s. The winery itself sits in the heart of Antler Hill Village, inside what used to be the estate’s dairy facility, and a complimentary wine tasting is included with any Biltmore daytime admission ticket. It’s a very different kind of visit than a small farm winery: less about meeting a winemaker over the fermentation tanks, more about a polished, professionally staffed tasting room inside one of the most-visited estates in the country.
From an Experiment to an Estate Wine Company
The winery’s roots go back to 1971, when George Vanderbilt’s grandson, William A.V. Cecil, first experimented with vineyards and winemaking on the estate, planting French-American hybrid grapes within sight of Biltmore House itself and bottling the first vintage in the estate’s Conservatory. Cecil wasn’t satisfied with those early results, so he sought out wine experts at the University of California, Davis — who at the time weren’t convinced that true vinifera grapes could be grown successfully in western North Carolina’s climate. Cecil pushed ahead anyway, moving the vineyard to the west side of the estate and planting vinifera vines. In 1977, he traveled to France and persuaded sixth-generation winemaster Philippe Jourdain to come oversee the wine program, a partnership that grew into what’s now the Biltmore Estate Wine Company.
What’s in the Glass
Over the decades, Biltmore has tested numerous grape varieties on the estate, and four have proven especially well-suited to the Blue Ridge Mountain terroir: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot. The winery continues to trial other varietals in a dedicated test vineyard near the winery building, and supplements its own estate-grown fruit with grapes from partner growers in North Carolina, California, and Washington to round out its full portfolio of red, white, and rosé wines. Biltmore’s current winemaker is Sharon Fenchak.
The Tasting Room and Wine Bar
Your complimentary wine tasting takes place in the winery’s Tasting Room, staffed by wine hosts who walk you through a flight from Biltmore’s lineup. Just steps away is the Wine Shop, plus an indoor/outdoor Wine Bar on Scholar’s Walk where you can order wine by the glass, bottle, or flight alongside charcuterie and locally made truffles, often with live music playing on the patio. Nearby, the Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting is a guest favorite, hosted inside Biltmore’s iconic clock tower above Scholar’s Walk. Guests must be 21 or older to take part in the specialty wine experiences, and access to the winery requires a valid daytime Biltmore ticket, an Annual Pass, or a stay at one of the estate’s overnight properties — it isn’t a stop you can make on its own without an estate admission.
What Else Is Nearby
Because the winery sits inside Antler Hill Village, it’s naturally bundled with everything else on the Biltmore Estate: Biltmore House itself, the estate’s gardens and grounds, shops, and restaurants. If your group is visiting for a winery experience specifically, plan for enough time to also see at least part of the broader estate, since a Biltmore day easily fills several hours before you even get to the wine.
Planning Your Visit From the High Country
Biltmore Estate is roughly 85 to 90 miles from Boone by road, which typically runs about two to two and a half hours each way depending on traffic through Asheville and time of year — this is a full-day trip from the High Country, not a quick outing. Because the winery is bundled inside a ticketed estate visit, plan and purchase Biltmore admission ahead of time rather than assuming you can walk up. If you’re arriving by private vehicle rather than driving yourself, note that Biltmore directs rideshare and car-service drop-offs to a designated lane near the Park & Ride Building at 79 Old Shiloh Rd, Asheville — useful information to pass along to your driver in advance. Ticket pricing, tasting details, and estate hours change seasonally, so confirm current information on Biltmore’s own site before you go.
Wine Tour Transportation to Biltmore Winery
Ashe County Livery offers private, chauffeured wine tour transportation to Biltmore Winery from Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson and across NC’s High Country. Our Biltmore Winery trip-planning page covers drive times, tasting-room hours, group sizes and pricing.
Travel in a luxury SUV, sedan, or Sprinter van with a professional chauffeur — everyone in your group gets to taste, nobody has to drive. Plan your Biltmore Winery tour or call (336) 484-1350.
Other High Country wineries we serve: Addison Farms Vineyard · Barn Door Ciderworks · Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery — or browse every High Country winery, cidery and meadery we provide transportation to.
Explore More from Ashe County Livery
- High Country Wine Tours — Mountain winery shuttle service
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- Wine Loop Shuttle — Hop-on hop-off winery tours
- Wedding Transportation — Luxury shuttles for your big day
- Wedding venues we serve — 40+ High Country venues
- Airport Shuttle Service — CLT, AVL, GSO & TRI transfers
- Airport shuttles by town: Boone · Blowing Rock · Banner Elk · West Jefferson · Linville · Beech Mountain
- Ashe County Livery — Premium transportation in NC’s High Country
- Request a free quote — or call (336) 484-1350
🍷 Planning a Wine Tour in the NC High Country?
Ashe County Livery offers private, luxury wine tour transportation throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains. Skip the driving and let our professional chauffeurs take you from winery to winery in comfort and style.
Serving Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, and all NC High Country destinations • (336) 484-1350
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