Biltmore Winery Celebrates 40 Years of Bottling the Spirit of the Estate

The North Carolina winery’s milestone underscores George Vanderbilt’s legacies of hospitality and agriculture

Biltmore Winery, located in the heart of Biltmore Estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains, proudly celebrates 40 years of winemaking. Established to reflect George Vanderbilt’s vision for Biltmore Estate and his love of collecting wine, the winery’s conception by his grandson William A.V. Cecil complemented the estate’s agricultural roots and tradition of hospitality. To commemorate the anniversary, the winery released the 40th Anniversary Release Sonoma County Red Blend, with the Biltmore Estate Château Reserve North Carolina Brut Red Sparkling 2022 debuting May 20th both on-site and online.

As an extension of Vanderbilt hospitality, the winery’s award-winning wines serve as an opportunity for visitors of the estate to take home a tangible part of their Biltmore Estate experience. The winery produces more than 45 wines from estate-grown grapes and grapes sourced from growing partners in California, Virginia and Washington. Crafted for global guests, the wines are approachable and food-friendly for a wide variety of palates.

“The 40th anniversary is not only a celebration of the wines we produce but also the people, the place, and the tradition of hospitality that we are so proud to share,” said Sharon Fenchak, Executive Winemaker at Biltmore Winery. “We are honored to continue crafting wines that reflect the Vanderbilt legacy and our commitment to quality.”

While Biltmore Estate’s agricultural legacy has long been celebrated, the winery itself was a later development. As its successful dairy business came to a natural close, Cecil reimagined the estate’s agricultural future. He famously remarked, “What’s more appropriate for a French chateau than vineyards and a winery?” With this vision, he began experimenting with various grapes and the turning point came in 1978 when he planted vinifera grapes on the estate’s west side. The former dairy barn was converted into a state-of-the-art winery, complete with production facilities, a tasting room, and a wine shop. In 1985, the winery opened as North Carolina’s first licensed winery.

The winery’s continued success is rooted in the passion and expertise of its dedicated winemaking team. In the late 1970s, sixth-generation French winemaker Philippe Jourdain expanded the vineyards and began crafting wines of exceptional quality. Bernard Delille, who joined as assistant winemaker, helped further establish the winery’s reputation over his 32-year tenure. Sharon Fenchak joined the team in 1999, working closely with Bernard, and stepped into the role of head winemaker in 2018 following his retirement. Like her predecessors, Fenchak remains committed to handcrafting wines that stay true to their varietal character and deliver consistency from vintage to vintage. In recognition of their excellence, the vineyard team received the North Carolina Grower of Excellence Award in 2022 — a testament to their leadership and dedication to the state’s grape growing and wine industry.

To learn more about how Biltmore Winery is celebrating its 40th anniversary, visit www.biltmorewine.com.