ABOUT US
Bluestone Vineyard is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery, committed to crafting small-batch wines from locally sourced and estate grown fruit that showcase the very best in each varietal and each vintage. The result is a wine selection that constantly evolves to reflect the passion of the winemaker, the year, the weather, and the fruit.
Our Bluestone wines are produced here at the vineyard, in our winery, located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. These Virginia wines are aged either in barrels in our climate controlled barrel room or in stainless steel tanks where the temperature is computer controlled to give us the optimal conditions to develop the wine. We then bottle the wines onsite and place them in climate controlled storage behind the tasting room.
Our Crew
Curt Hartman
President
Curt brings a wealth of business expertise to Bluestone Vineyard, transitioning from a successful career in the automotive industry to co-founding and managing the vineyard. With an MBA and a strong background in operations and finance, Curt plays a key role in strategic planning and business development. When he’s not overseeing vineyard operations, he enjoys flying and spending time in warmer destinations during the winter months.
Jackie Hartman
Vice President
Jackie is an essential part of Bluestone Vineyard’s day-to-day operations. She manages aspects of the tasting room, coordinates events, and works closely with brides and event hosts to ensure smooth experiences. Her dedication, versatility, and attention to detail support every aspect of the guest experience. Jackie remains active in community organizations and local initiatives outside the vineyard, reflecting her strong commitment to Bluestone and the wider community.
Lee Hartman
Winemaker and General Manager
After starting at the vineyard after college, Lee quickly discovered a passion for viticulture and winemaking. Over the years, Lee has honed his craft, driven by a commitment to producing high-quality, expressive wines that reflect the unique character of the Shenandoah Valley. As both winemaker and GM, he oversees every step of the process—from grape to glass—ensuring each wine meets the highest standards. Lee also loves sharing his wines with others and enjoys talking with customers about the craft, stories, and inspiration behind each bottle.
R.C. Hartman
Operations Manager
R.C. plays a vital role in ensuring the day-to-day functions of the business run smoothly and efficiently. With a diverse skill set in IT management, software systems, and logistics, R.C. is instrumental in the vineyard’s technical and operational aspects. He completed his MBA at Eastern Mennonite University and applies his knowledge to enhance business processes and support Bluestone’s continued growth. In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, R.C. leads Bluestone’s popular Toast the Weekend event series and serves as the energetic host of Music Bingo, creating engaging experiences.
Donna Kenney
Tasting Room Manager
Donna has been an integral part of Bluestone Vineyard since 2011, joining the team shortly after the Tasting Room opened. With over a decade of dedication and experience working part-time, she stepped into the full-time role of Tasting Room Manager in 2023. Donna is passionate about creating a welcoming environment for guests and takes pride in providing exceptional service while building lasting relationships with customers. Her commitment to hospitality and attention to detail help ensure every visitor enjoys a memorable experience at Bluestone Vineyard.
Terry Tucker
Office Manager
Terry has been Bluestone Vineyard’s Office Manager and Accountant since 2012. After more than 20 years of bookkeeping in the trucking industry, she brought her experience to the vineyard, where she handles a range of administrative duties. In addition to keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, Terry is often the friendly voice answering the phone and is responsible for handling shipping orders with care and efficiency.
Emily Eby
Marketing Specialist
Emily has been part of the Bluestone Vineyard team since 2019. Currently, she serves as a Marketing Specialist in a part-time role, managing the website, social media, and overall promotion of the vineyard’s wines and events. She works to maintain a strong and consistent brand presence, helping to share Bluestone’s story and connect with customers both online and in person. From highlighting new releases to promoting special events, Emily’s creativity and attention to detail support the vineyard’s growth and outreach efforts.
BLUESTONE VINEYARD
HOW WE STARTED
Curt and Jackie Hartman have lived west of Bridgewater on the hill above Jordan Stretch since 1995. With their friends Phil and Lois Kreider (Misty Ray Winery), they began planting grapes on the hill in 2003 to make wine for personal use. In 2007 they decided to make the vineyard a business and with advice from the researchers at Virginia Tech they laid out the vineyard, tested the soils, and chose the grapes to plant. With the help of friends and family, four thousand red grape vines were planted on the south side of the hill in 2008. During that time a vineyard crew consisting of Lee Hartman and Ben Geiser was formed, and during the winter of 2009 they laid out the north and east side of the hill for white grape vines and built the trellis system. In the spring they planted four thousand more vines.
The 2009 wines were hand pressed in a temporary winery on the north side of their house. The total production that year was about 500 cases. In 2010, the winery was built and an additional 1,000 vines were added on the west side of the hill. Using new equipment in the larger winery, Bluestone Vineyard processed 31 tons of grapes and made about 2,000 cases of wine. Today’s production is about 5,000 cases. We still use Jeanette Smith as a consultant for vineyard management. Lee Hartman has since taken over as General Manager and head winemaker, producing some of the most true to form Bordeaux style wines Virginia has to offer.
