Bluemont Vineyard Owner & Founder Talks Working in Wine as a Woman

For over five decades, the Zurschmeide family has been a cornerstone of Loudoun County’s farming and wine communities.

In 1993, Kate and Mark Zurschmeide found their home in Bluemont.

There, they purchased a scenic plot on Foggy Bottom Road and founded Great Country Farms.

Renowned for its inviting atmosphere, family-friendly activities, and vibrant pick-your-own experiences, the farm quickly became a cherished Loudoun County destination. This strong foundation in agriculture inspired their bold leap into the world of winemaking, seamlessly blending their passion for farming with the artistry of viticulture.

Kate and Mark Zurschmeide pose on the Bluemont Vineyard mountainside for an autumn family photoshoot, the sun setting on the Loudoun Valley behind them.

For this month’s Women’s History inspired blog, Grace (Bluemont Vineyard’s Marketing & Community Manager) spoke to Kate Zurschmeide (Bluemont Vineyard’s Founder & Owner) about her experience as both a woman working in agriculture, and a pioneering member of Northern Virginia’s Wine Country.

Bluemont Vineyard’s Owner and Founder, Kate Zurschmeide.

GRACE: One of the fascinating aspects of Virginia’s winemaking past is that it’s not “ancient history”. The wine countries of Northern America are in their infancies compared to much of the rest of the world. Because of this, tourists visiting vineyards and wineries in the United States have the unique opportunity to know and support their living (and actively working!) founders.

Kate - what has it been like to join the class of Northern Virginia wine country pioneers?

KATE: Being part of the wine industry in Loudoun has been quite the ride! 

We moved to our house at Great Country Farms in 1999 and spent countless days looking up at the mountain above, envisioning orchards and vineyards. 

Our neighbor at the time had plans for a subdivision on the mountain, but we were determined to maintain the mountain’s natural beauty. After a few creative financing attempts, the time was right, and our neighbor finally accepted our offer on the mountainside.

We planted grape vines and started a small tasting room with our partners and friends Bob and Loree Rupy (who now own and operate October One Vineyard!).

Since wine is part of so many of life’s celebrations, I led the efforts of starting Weddings at Bluemont Vineyard. I oversaw the rebuild of the horse stables at the foot of the mountainside, which is now our special events and wedding venue: The Stable.

The Stable at Bluemont Vineyard is a special events and weddings venue that Kate Zurschmeide spearheaded way back when the vines were yet to be planted on the mountainside.

GRACE: March is Women’s History Month: a great time to recognize the pioneering women who helped shape Northern Virginia’s winemaking industry. Tell us about the women who played key roles in the development of this region’s wine country! How did they influence your own journey in founding and operating a vineyard?

KATE: So many incredible women have shaped this journey.

Loree Rupy of October One Vineyard — an original Bluemont founder — still blows me away with her talent for tasting and blending wines.

Nikki Bazzaco of Doukenie Winery has been a cornerstone of our community, always keeping us on track with Visit Loudoun connections and the efforts of the Loudoun Wine Association. Not to mention fighting to protect Loudoun’s farmland!

And I’ll never forget how Jennifer Shailor was a trailblazing winemaker at Bluemont Vineyard in the early days.

Thinking back on how we all started out together . . . it really feels like a graduating class of students. We all put some of our best years into growing our grand ideas into viable businesses.

Today, I’m inspired by the next generation of women in leadership — the new class. Women like Jen Breaux, Lacey Huber, Sarah Walsh and Bluemont Vineyard’s own Hailey Zurschmeide, who are building strong bonds, advocating for local farmland, and securing a brighter future for Virginia wine.

Hailey Zurschmiede — Bluemont Vineyard’s Chief Vision Officer and eldest daughter of Founder and Owner Kate Zurschmeide — brandishes the then yet-to-be-released Sparkling Daydream Rosé in between takes at Bluemont Vineyard’s 2024 Daydream Announcement social media shoot.

Kate & Hailey Zurschmeide post together during a photoshoot in Texas.

GRACE: Bluemont Vineyard was established in 2007. With almost 18 years of experience under your belt, what advice would you give 2007 Kate about working in wine?

KATE: It’s so important to stop sometimes, to really take in all the joy. Still to this day, I get a genuine rush from seeing guests excitedly showing off Bluemont Vineyard to their family and friends for the first time. Stopping to see that, to soak that in, is just as much a part of running Bluemont Vineyard as everything else has been.

There were plenty of times when we were just starting out that I was sort of blinded by the work. So many times when I didn’t take a moment to appreciate the view, the sunrise over the Loudoun Valley, those quiet, peaceful moments.

Now, as the next generation takes the reins at Bluemont Vineyard, I find myself slowing down a bit and seeing everything through my granddaughter’s eyes. It’s a reminder to soak it all in.

I’m excited to support my kids as they continue this journey in wine, and help them remember to pause and breathe in that fresh mountain air.

Kate Zuschmeide’s three eldest children, Nick (left), Jake (right) and Hailey (center) represent the future of Bluemont Vineyard. When Kate says the vineyard is family owned and operated, she isn’t kidding: Nick works as Bluemont Vineyard’s Tasting Room Culinary Lead, Jake works in Wine and Hard Cider Production down the mountain from Dirt Farm Brewing (itself another Experience Bluemont property) and Hailey works in business leadership, marketing, event coordination and more as Bluemont Vineyard’s Chief Vision Officer.

GRACE: What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from Northern Virginia’s other “Women in Wine” over the years?

KATE: Like every vintage, life has its own timing and purpose. We just have to let it breathe and unfold, like a bold, rich red.

I often think of Nikki Bazzaco, who had to rename her vineyard due to a legal challenge. Renaming your entire business on the fly? That’s a massive shift for any business owner to have to make. But Nikki handled the whole thing with determination and quick thinking. Now, I can't imagine it being called anything other than Doukénie Winery.

Amy Thunell (Left), Bluemont Vineyard’s Wedding Planner, and Debbie Zurschmeide-Schoeb (right) Bluemont Vineyard’s Wedding Sales Coordinator pose in front of the summer vines during a team photoshoot in 2019.

GRACE: In honor of Women’s History Month, the Virginia Women in Wine organization (of which you are a member!) is hosting a Women in Wine Trail. The trail goes from now until March 31st. Can you tell us about the trail, and how wine lovers can get involved?

KATE: We’re thrilled that Bluemont Vineyard is hosting three events for this year’s Virginia Women in Wine Trail events! We kicked things off with our Women in Wine Brunch earlier this month, there’s a Women’s Choice Awards Wine Flight on the menu, and next up is the Virginia Women in Wine Trailblazer Bash.

Bluemont Vineyard’s Floor Manager and Kate Zuschmeide’s youngest daughter, Carly (left), poses with Senior Tasting Room Associate, Madi (right), to promote this month’s Women’s Choice Awards Wine Flight, in Bluemont Vineyard’s newly unveiled tasting room, The Barrel Haus.

I highly recommend the Trailblazer Bash to any women in the area who want to get involved in this industry. The whole thing will be a blast - wine and food down at Bluemont Vineyard’s wedding venue, The Stable, is always bubbly and fun - but it will also be educational. Plus, the Trailblazer Award will be presented to a woman in wine that has made VA wine what it is today.

It’s incredible to bring together such an inspiring group of women: to celebrate those who paved the way, and encourage the next generation to take up the mantle and make their own history.

Join the team at Bluemont Vineyard for a sip, a bite, and a vista view known the world over this Women’s History Month.