Foothills Times January 2014 | Page 49

America’s largest house is also America’s vineyard. Planted in 1971, Biltmore’s 94 acres of vineyards yielded her first vintage in 1979. In keeping with the Vanderbilt family’s quest for excellence, heir and former owner of Biltmore William A.V. Cecil traveled to France to hire Biltmore’s first winemaker and viticulturist. Cecil brought back Philippe Jourdain, a sixth generation winemaker, to shape the Biltmore Estates vineyard and winery. Jourdain re-planted the estate exclusively with French varietals - Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Nary, a Scuppernong vine can be found in this French crowd. With a further nod to the French, new wine master, Monsieur Bernard Delille is now producing a blanc de noir and blanc de blanc sparkling wine produced in the traditional French “méthode champenoise.” Today, Cecil’s son, Bill Cecil, Jr. (great grandson of Biltmore founder George Vanderbilt) has taken the Biltmore Winery to the next level. Cecil installed a 90,000 square foot, state-of-the-art wine facility housed in a converted dairy barn on the Biltmore property. The winery churns out over 170,000 cases of wine yearly with five different labels. COMPANY Parrish Tire & Automotive 105 Summit Square Winston-Salem, NC 27105 336-377-3333 Parrish Tire & Automotive 1915 Peacehaven Rd Winston-Salem, NC 27106 336-760-1228 OIL CHANGE 20% OFF COMPANY AC Service 20% OFF Parrish Tire & Automotive 323 N. Main St. Dobson, NC 27017 336-356-2205 Parrish Tire & Automotive 547 Winston Rd. Jonesville, NC 28642 336-835-0184 Parrish Tire & Automotive 351 S. Andy Griffin Pkwy. Suite 200 Mt. Airy, NC 27030 COMPANY www.parrishtire.com www.foothillstimes.com 48 Cel