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his wine dinners. Letters written by his wife Edith Vanderbilt's sister describe in great detail the ever opulent Vanderbilt table and extraordinary array of wines. A Long History of Wine George Vanderbilt was a foodie and enophile ahead of his time, thus wine has always been an important part of Biltmore history. Archival receipts prove that Mr. Vanderbilt regularly consumed and purchased wine—his favorites were of French origin. Original plans for Biltmore House included a wine cellar. Biltmore wine lovers have William A. Inn on Biltmore Estate Chef de Cuisine David Ryba and Biltmore Wines President Jerome B. "Jerry" Douglas. In a Los Angeles retail store, a customer mulls over which wine will best accompany the meal she is about to prepare for friends and family. She sees a wine she doesn't recognize—it's called "Biltmore." Later that evening, after learning about the history of Biltmore wines, her party is alive with discussion about the vibrant history of entertaining at Biltmore, where wine was always a lavish component of a Vanderbilt evening. "The magic of Biltmore is not lost on people who have visited the Estate. And now in expanding wine operations to California, it will reach those untouched by its history and majesty. West Coast distribution rolled out in July with expansion of Biltmore production and warehousing capabilities in California via partnerships with Mendocino production facility Rack & Riddle and Sonoma warehouse facility Groskopf, with distribution expansion in the Pacific Northwest to follow. Biltmore Wines are currently available in 30 states and Biltmore is on track to become a fully national wine brand within the next two years." A Grand American Estate Biltmore was born out of a trip that George Washington Vanderbilt III (1862–1914) took in the 1880s to the western mountains of North Carolina. He purchased land in Asheville and 70 / the tasting panel / november 2012 construction began. Biltmore House— still the largest privately owned residence in America—was modeled after the French châteaux of the Loire Valley, although many would argue that Biltmore's beauty has far surpassed its French inspiration. The 250-room mansion was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and its grounds sculpted by the genius of Frederick Law Olmsted (who designed New York's Central Park)—all 125,000 acres of it. In 1895 on Christmas Eve, Biltmore's doors opened for the first time for a family celebration. Mr. Vanderbilt's taste in art and antiquities matched his flair for wine and fine din- ing. After all, he had chosen the retreat to indulge in his love of art, literature and horticulture. His many guests reveled in the attention bestowed upon them at table. Mr. Vanderbilt's beloved man- sion remains filled with tapestries, renowned works of art and other irre- placeable collections. In fact, Biltmore is one of the only Gilded Age homes to have so many original artifacts, including glassware and china. The Vanderbilts always used their formal dining room, which seats 40 people, even when there were just a few guests dining with them. Tables were impec- cably set with as many as five glasses to hold various wines. Biltmore curators know how Mr. Vanderbilt orchestrated V. Cecil, George Vanderbilt's grandson, to thank for their favorite vintages. He teamed up with University of California at Davis for help with American viticulture and tapped sixth-generation winemaster Philippe Jourdain to produce Biltmore Wines. In 1983, the just-established Biltmore Estate Wine Company began construc- tion of a new winery in the old estate dairy. It opened in May, 1985—"the most historic event since my grandfa- ther opened his estate to his family on Christmas Day ninety years earlier," said Cecil. The success of Biltmore's wine initiatives can also be credited to the expert guidance of Biltmore Wines President Jerome B. "Jerry" Douglas who oversees all Biltmore wines on The Biltmore Sparkling Pas de Deux. PHOTO: KELLEY MERRITT PHOTO: KELLEY MERRITT