Behind the scenes at Biltmore Estate

Surprisingly and against all the odds, a Vanderbilt legacy is still alive in the mountains of North Carolina. Still owned by descendants of the original builder, the Biltmore Estate comprises 8,000 acres of well-kept grounds and the biggest house ever built in the US. But that alone won't pay the bills and the owners have turned it into one of the most- visited historic properties in the country.

The mansion is the cornerstone of any visit. It has 250 rooms, some massive, some more modest. On self-guided tours visitors can make their way through the 175,000 square foot (16,250 square meter) chateau. The main rooms on the ground floor are impressive, but many visitors prefer the "below stairs" section that included the kitchens and staff quarters. There are also special tours of the roof.

"Below stairs" visitors can see the bowling alley, the gym, changing rooms and the indoor swimming pool. This section of the mansion was first opened in 1980 as part of an effort to "keep bringing them back." Since then, Biltmore has focused on repeat visitors within a few hours of the estate and offers revolving shows like the glass art of Dale Chihuly or the costumes from "Titanic."

The Biltmore winery was opened in 1985 in the old estate dairy. It was a $12-million gamble that paid off. Today it is the most visited winery in the country and sells around 1.8 million bottles a year. Overall the various Biltmore companies have 2,500 employees tending gardens, taking tickets, assisting guests, cleaning, selling trinkets or serving and cooking in the many places to eat.

Opened in 2001, the 200-plus room Inn at Biltmore was the first of two hotels now operating on the property. Both were built to match the colors of the mansion and their location within the estate. In a bold move, the family decided to take over management themselves instead of turning to external professionals. It was yet another big challenge the company took on and another big risk.

Big houses call for big dogs and the Vanderbilt's most beloved was Cedric a Saint Bernard. Now he has a line of drinks and snacks named in his honor. In Antler Hill Village, a new collection of shops, he also has a pub. The estate stables also house a restaurant. There the old horse stalls are integrated into the design. They also serve the biggest piece of chocolate cake I have ever seen.

The Cecil family by Stone Roberts. Painted in Biltmore House in 1991 it shows three generations of Biltmore custodians. The man seated to the left is William Cecil whose business acumen transformed the property into the tourist magnet that it is today. Now his children are in charge. In the background are the stunning Appalachian Mountains that originally attracted George Vanderbilt to the area.

Last year Biltmore had a record 1.7 million visitors. It was a far cry from the 40,000 who came in 1930, the year it opened. Yet the house, the gardens, the miles or roads and the company's high standards of customer service do not come cheap. Most of the profits are simply put back into the estate, either for upkeep of the house or to enhance the visitor experience. It is a truly unique business.