Here is a short introduction video about me
I encourage you to follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok to learn more about me and see my day-to-day lifestyle.
Bryan Zesiger is...
A Veteran
Retired Army Major AH-64 Pilot
I started my career in 1994 while I was in college at the University of New Mexico where I decided to join the Army National Guard. I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in 1995 and I came on active duty in 1996 as an 11B Infantry Man. After basic training, I completed Airborne School and received my Parachutist Badge. I have approximately 60 jumps from various aircrafts (C130, C17, C141, UH-60, Blackhawk, UH-1 Hueys, CH-47 Chinook, & ANC Colt Russian Biplane, to name a few). I was on jump status for about six years. I then started my enlistment in Fort Polk, Louisiana. After Louisiana, I went to Korea and then to Fort Bragg, North Carolina serving in the 82nd Airborne. I decided to become an officer through officer candidate school, and then was selected for aviation so after going to Fort Benning, Georgia for OCS I went to Fort Rucker, Alabama and completed flight school in the early 2000s and then went on to Fort Campbell, Kentucky serving in the 101st with two tours in Iraq in 2003 and 2004 in the AH-64 A Apache and then in 2005 and 2006 in the AH-64 D Apache Longbow aircraft. After Fort Campbell, I went back to Fort Rucker for captains course and maintenance managers course and then I went to Korea where I served on division staff. I was selected for command in 1-2AVN and commanded for approximately 25 months in Korea and then Fort Carson, Colorado. Later, I was promoted to Major and served as a S3 in Fort Bliss, Texas. I was selected for command at a field grade level where I took my company to Afghanistan in 2012 and 2013, where I received my bronze star for serving as a commander and flying combat missions. In Afghanistan, I flew under the First Armor Division Combat Brigade also know as "Old Ironsides." I finally returned home to attend Commanding General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth. While teaching Mission Command Training Program (MCTP) at Fort Leavenworth, I volunteered to deploy again as an advisor to the United Nations in Haiti and Mali Africa. I retired from the military at the end of 2019.
An Entrepreneur
Z&M Twisted Vines - Vineyard & Winery
Above all our Winery story is a love story. The Z stands for Zesiger and the M stands for Montalbano We are Twisted in life, love and wine. Dr. Montalbano and I had previous marriages and found each other (on-line dating) and have a true bond of friendship, entrepreneurship and love. We started making our hand crafted wines in 2016 and have developed over 50 Twisted Wine varieties and 8 Hard Ciders. Our passion and zest for life, strong work ethic, and having fun together combined to expand from our Leavenworth Winery Tasting Room in 2018 and we added our Lawrence Vineyard and Tasting Room in 2019.
A Farmer
Z&M Twisted Vines - Vineyard
Even though my family owns farms in Texas, I was never raised as a farmer. My mom is a retired teacher and my father is a retired Police officer. After the Military, developing the vineyard was an endeavor that I enjoyed because it allowed me to grow something from the soil. To utilize a new skill set, meet new farmers of all types and explore agriculture was perfect for me as a new Veteran-farmer. I connected with the attributes of farming as it has challenged my learning of how to grow a specialty crop in the state of Kansas. There is so much joy in being a farmer and understanding how to work with nature and in my case, growing grapes. Our Vineyard & Farm Winery operation has expanded to about 45 acres of vines and all of our grapes and produce are processed right inside Big Vino on the vineyard and customers get to see first hand the process of Vine to Wine.
A Kansan - by choice!
"I chose Kansas to be my landing zone for life."
After serving our country and living all over the United States and the world, Kansas felt like home. Even though I grew up in Houston, Texas and my parents now live in Colorado Springs I love the atmosphere and the people of the Midwest. KANSAS is a proud and friendly state that has so much to offer. I also love being able to root for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals and having a race track, almost literally in my backyard. Additionally, Kansas offers all four seasons so that I can now enjoy the changing of colors in the trees, a little bit of snow, and sometimes a little too much heat.