The Kansas Viticulture and Farm Winery Association together with Douglas County K-State Research and Extension, and Highland Community College - Viticulture & Enology program, are hosting a Kansas Viticulture Summit, ahead of the anticipated and up-coming announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture, designating the entire 365 square miles of the Kansas River Valley, from Kansas City to Junction City, as an American Viticulture Area (AVA).

This 'Kaw Valley AVA' designation recognizes the climate, soils and general geography of the Kansas River Valley as particularly well-suited to viticulture, creating a unique ‘terroir’ for wines. 



Please join us to learn how this designation will open doors for further development of the Kansas Grape and Wine Industry, and elevate the recognition of the Kansas River Valley as particularly suited to specialty crop production. This AVA designation will create positive ripple effects, boosting opportunities for economic growth in all sectors of food, agriculture and hospitality businesses.

Open to all stakeholders, vintners, winemakers, producers and especially those involved with local and county governments, Chambers of Commerce, lenders, county officials, entrepreneurs, and support agencies to learn, network and grow together. 

Bryan Zesiger and Dr. Gina Montalbano Zesiger

Bryan Zesiger and Gina Montalbano Zesiger own Z&M Twisted Vines.

Gina also serves as President of the Kansas Viticulture and Farm Winery Association.

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.  

"When it comes to the wines, Bryan’s military background pairs nicely with my Italian heritage. Sicily, where my family hails from, has been making wine for nearly 3,000 years. Z&M takes traditional wine production methods and uses them to make something fun, accessible, and most importantly, delicious".

Philip Bradley

Phil Bradley is currently a consultant for businesses, governments and associations. In addition, he serves as CEO of the Kansas Licensed Beverage Association and runs their government affairs program. He also represents the Kansas Viticulture and Farm Winery Association, the Equal Entertainment Group, Artisan Distillers of Kansas and the Kansas Fireworks association. He works in several states and DC on government affairs and as an advisor on organizational and governmental matters. Phil is a native of Lawrence, Kansas where he grew up on a farm/ranch close to town. 

Tom Holland

State Senator Tom Holland is a small business owner and entrepreneur. He is co-founder and president of Free State Firearms, LLC and is also the founder of Haven Pointe Winery, LLC. Tom also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Kansas’ School of Business where he teaches entrepreneurial finance. Tom and his wife Barbara have four adult children and five grandchildren. They have lived in southern Douglas County since 1993.

Scott Kohl

Scott Kohl is the Director of Highland Community College Viticulture and Enology Program. He grew up on a wheat and cattle farm west of Hays, Kansas, which he now manages via phone, email, and as many trips west as time allows. Scott graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1995 and Kansas State University in 1999 with BS and MS degrees, respectively, both in mathematics. He began teaching math for HCC part-time spring 1999, became fulltime math faculty in 2001, and then became HCC’s Wamego Campus Director in 2005. The grape and wine program started in late 2008, mostly using the tools in back of Scott’s pickup. Today the program has just over 3500 grapevines on 5 acres and is the source for research and industry consultation in Kansas. In 2019, HCC opened the first business incubator for wineries east of the Rocky Mountains, called 456 Wineries (“four-five-six-wineries”) in Wamego, KS. The incubator operates under an alternating proprietorship arrangement with Highland Vineyards and Winery as the host winery. The incubator leases space and shares equipment and tasting room for entrepreneurs looking to open a winery. 

Thus far, 456 Wineries has assisted seven new wineries to open in Kansas.

Dr. Russell Plaschka

Dr. Russell Plaschka serves the Kansas Department of Agriculture as the Marketing Division Director; he leads a team to grow the Kansas agriculture industry and economy. The team works to grow agriculture in Kansas by working with farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. As director, he leads the facilitation and outreach to communities across the state to help them navigate community identified agriculture growth initiatives. As a lifelong Kansan, Russell grew up in eastern Kansas on a small, diversified farm and continues to be involved in the beef industry. Plaschka attended Kansas State University, receiving a B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture Education, a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University, and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University in Leadership Communications that focused on rural community perceptions of agriculture and government involvement in rural community development. Prior to joining KDA, Plaschka spent 25 years as an agriculture educator and FFA advisor at the secondary level.

K-State Research and Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. Program information may be available in languages other than English. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including alternative means for communication (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language) may be requested by contacting the event contact Margit Kaltenekker (MK) or Gina Montalbano (GM) two weeks prior to the start of the event July 26, 2024 at MK - 785-843-7058 ext.113 / GM - 816-914-0693 | MK - mkaltenekker@ksu.edu / GM - zmtwistedvines@gmail.com. Requests received after this date will be honored when it is feasible to do so. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer