Rooted in Resilience: Women Shaping the Future of Virginia Wine
At Bluemont Vineyard, the story of wine has always been intertwined with the story of women.
From Kate Zurschmeide, whose leadership helped shape the early voice and vision of the vineyard, to the next generation now carrying that vision forward, the journey of this mountain-grown brand reflects the evolving role of women in agriculture, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.
As Chair of the Rural Economic Development Council in the early 90s, Kate served on committees to help draft the 1993 Loudoun Zoning Ordinance that opened the door for Agritourism Farms and Farm Wineries to thrive in Loudoun County. She is still active today providing input for the Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces Act, commonly known as the AGRITOURISM Act introduced by Congressman Suhas Subramanyam and the current western Loudoun Zoning rewrite stakeholder process.
Kate hasn’t just helped build a vineyard, she helped build a future. As a mother of two daughters, Hailey Holdsworth and Carly Zurschmeide, she modeled what it looks like to lead with both strength and creativity in an industry that hasn’t always made space for women at the table.
Hailey: Growth out of the Gate
As the oldest of four children, Hailey was part of the operation from the very beginning. After the farm’s purchase in 1993, she could often be found working the market — sometimes standing on a crate just to reach the register or leading pony rides with her pony Daisy (with profits split 50/50 with “the house,” of course).
Hailey balanced school days with farm work and spent evenings supporting catering operations, gaining firsthand experience in both agriculture and hospitality.She later attended Virginia Tech, studying Hospitality, Finance, and Entrepreneurship before returning home to the family farm and winery full-time.
Starting as Wine Club Manager, Hailey stepped into the role of General Manager in 2016, helping guide Bluemont Vineyard into its second generation. With a focus on collaborative hospitality and experiential agritourism, she helped introduce signature events like Peach Fuzztival, Crush With Us, and Lighting of the Vines. In 2019, she drove the launch of Henway Hard Cider, expanding the brand beyond wine and into craft cider.
The challenges of 2020 became a turning point. With strong leadership in place for day-to-day operations, Hailey transitioned into the role of Chief Vision Officer — focusing on innovation, product development, and long-term growth between the Zurschmeide Family Brands: Great Country Farms, Bluemont Vineyard, Dirt Farm Brewing and Henway Hard Cider. Her work now also extends to Experience Bluemont, bringing lodging and immersive guest experiences into the fold.
Carly: Carrying the Vision Forward
As the youngest daughter, Carly represents the next chapter and brings Gen Z to the forefront of the family business.
Carly was born and raised on the farm and was immersed in animal care, greenhouse work and crop harvest from her earliest days riding along in a baby backpack. The rhythm of the season shaped Carly’s formative years and have always been her foundational compass as she worked the Farm Market, hung marshmallow peeps on the tree for Marshmallow Harvest and Egg Hunts and welcomed a growing population of pumpkin and apple pickers each fall.
A 2023 graduate of Virginia Tech with a business and marketing emphasis, Carly’s journey took her to the Bluemont Vineyard Tasting Room in Stonewall Texas to hone her skills and then home to Virginia.
Today, Carly plays a vital role in tasting room operations at Bluemont Vineyard. From hiring and training wine associates to stocking cases and bussing tables, no job is beneath Carly’s purview. From designing point of sale material and merchandise to managing reservations platforms, Carly brings the vision to life through daily details that shape guest experiences.
She provides subtle but powerful leadership that keeps the operation running — ensuring that the hospitality guests feel is just as rich as the wine in their glass.
A Legacy Still Growing
Women have always been central to the story of Bluemont — not just as caretakers of tradition and drivers of growth, but as innovators shaping what comes next.
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate not only where the vineyard began, but where it’s headed led by women who are redefining what leadership in agriculture and hospitality looks like for the next generation.
Women’s Choice Flight
The Women’s Choice Awards Wine Flight features a wine line-up hand-selected by the incredible women on our team. From servers and managers to administrative leaders, each participant chose their personal favorite wine—showcasing a range of bold reds and crisp whites that reflect their unique tastes and talents.
“This flight is a celebration of the women who bring passion, creativity, and dedication to Bluemont Vineyard every day. Their contributions shape our guest experience and our future, and this is one small way to honor them.”
— Hailey Zurschmeide, Chief Vision Officer & Founding Family
This year, we’re bringing back a beloved favorite pairing, Corks & Cupcakes, featuring Georgetown Cupcake. Each wine is thoughtfully paired to create a perfectly balanced bite-and-sip experience that’s as indulgent as it is memorable.