Photo courtesy of Virginia Women in Wine
Enjoying the View (Hillsborough)
Virginia Wine Country
Virginia Women in Wine is offering the opportunity to toast the success of the women who make up nearly two-thirds of the workforce at Virginia wineries. The organization will present its Trailblazer Awards to three leading figures in Virginia’s growing wine industry at a celebration on March 29 at Bluemont Vineyard.
The ceremony will take place from 4-7 p.m. as part of the Trailblazer Bash, an event to celebrate the conclusion of the organization’s first Virginia Women in Wine Trail, which continues at wineries statewide through March 31, coinciding with Women’s History Month.
You’ll be able to taste wines from throughout the Commonwealth, and there will be food and music. In addition, Virginia Women in Wine will be releasing its new report, Closing the Gender Gap in Winemaking, which examines why women make up only 17% of head winemaker jobs in Virginia and explores ways to close that gap.
Tickets for the Trailblazer Bash are available here.
“Having the opportunity to shine the light on the women who were here first, creating the vibrant, celebrated industry that Virginia wine has become, is one of the most joyful things that Virginia Women in Wine does all year,” said Nancy Bauer, founder and president of Virginia Women in Wine.
This year’s winners are:
Nicki Bazaco, co-owner of Doukénie Winery in Hillsboro in the Northern Virginia region.
Sharon Horton, owner and vineyard manager of Horton Vineyards in Gordonsville in the Central Virginia region.
Debra Vascik, owner and winemaker at Valhalla Vineyards in Roanoke in the Virginia Mountains region.
The Virginia Women in Wine Trail is a curated route through 50 wineries, cideries, and meaderies across the state, most of which are women-owned or employ women winemakers, vineyard staff, or tasting room educators.
"The Virginia Women in Wine Trail is a celebration of the passion, talent, and leadership of women shaping the future of Virginia's wine industry," says Hailey Zurschmeide Holdsworth, chief vision officer of Bluemont Vineyard and Henway Hard Cider and chair of the 2025 Virginia Women in Wine Trail. "This trail not only showcases exceptional wines but also highlights the dedication and craftsmanship of the women behind each bottle. We invite wine lovers to explore, sip, and support the incredible women who are redefining Virginia wine."
Events are happening through March 31 in eight regions, and you can find a list of those events here.
