Meet Bryan Zesiger

Bryan Zesiger, the founder of Z&M Twisted Vines, has a family lineage steeped in military service, with his father, grandfather, and many other family members having served in the armed forces. Bryan was born in Alaska where his father was serving in the Air Force. Soon after his birth, the family relocated to Houston, Texas, where Bryan was raised. 

Bryan’s own military journey began in the mid-90s when he enlisted as an 11B, an airborne infantryman, with later assignments in Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Korea. It was during this time that he honed his skills and earned his expert infantry badge, while also learning to ride motorcycles as part of a long-range specialty surveillance unit. Following his time in Korea, Bryan was stationed with the 3505 Panther Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he earned his airborne wings and applied for Officer Candidate School (OCS). After graduating from OCS, Bryan underwent helicopter flight training, eventually piloting the Apache helicopter. His first combat deployment flying the Apache came in Iraq in 2003-2004, where he flew numerous combat missions. Bryan’s military career was marked by numerous deployments and assignments, including serving in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He commanded troops in Afghanistan and served as a senior advisor in Haiti and Mali with the United Nations. His leadership roles took him to Korea, Fort Carson, and eventually to Fort Leavenworth, where he concluded his career as an instructor, teaching the military decision-making process to brigade, division, and corps elements. 

Transitioning from a life of service in the military to civilian life, Bryan found a new passion in grape growing. Drawing on his military experiences and blending them with his wife Gina’s Sicilian heritage, Bryan embarked on a new journey, cultivating grapes right here in Leavenworth County.  Z&M Twisted Vines, their first location in Leavenworth, KS is just 6 blocks off  Fort Leavenworth where Bryan retired from the military. This location stands as a testament to his dedication and resilience as for the first 2 years Gina and Bryan worked their full-time jobs and operated with Z&M Twisted Winery 5 days a week. They processed grapes in their alleyway garage and made wine in the 1890’s building cellar, which needed a lot of work to retrofit for wine making. True military grit and perseverance were needed to get the company off and running. 

Today, Bryan and Gina continue to honor their military roots while embracing their new venture in winemaking at the Z&M Twisted Vines- Lawrence Vineyard and Tasting Room location. As you can see on many of the wine labels Bryan works to tell some of his military stories through the wine itself and the beautiful labels. In 2023, Hardly Twisted Ciders were added to the product line and of course, are all named after the adventures during his 26 years of military service.