Z&M A Place to Gather
Submitted by Z & M Twisted Wines and Winery
Host a private gathering at our winery
Z&M: A Place to Gather
More and more, we as a nation have come to appreciate the need for togetherness. “People who need people,” Barbra Streisand reminds us, “Are the luckiest people in the world.”
Science shows that we’re hardwired for the community, and there’s a growing body of data to show that many of us simply aren’t getting it.
Check out our event calendars to see what’s going on at our Lawrence vineyard and Leavenworth winery.
When Bryan and Gina came up with the idea of opening a winery, they saw it as more than a place to enjoy a delicious glass of wine made from locally sourced ingredients. They saw it as an extension of themselves, their relationship with each other, and their passion for the area they’d come to call home.
An active-duty Army officer at the time of Z&M’s founding, Bryan especially believed in the importance of community and being together. In all of the challenges of military life, it was friendships and social networks that helped Bryan and his fellow Soldiers get through difficult times.
That’s why it’s so important to us to get people together. It’s why we host regular events and show up at community events in and around our Lawrence and Leavenworth locations.
Third Places
A 1989 term from a sociologist named Ray Oldenburg is “third places.” It’s a term we really like.
As described in his book The Great Good Place, Oldenburg conceives of a third-place as a space between home and work. It’s not where you live, and it’s not someplace you are required to be. A third-place occupies a middle ground between public and private.
Examples include stores, parks, and restaurants, and they can vary widely in terms of atmosphere, who goes there, and what people go there to do. Crucially, they’re organic spaces that people go to and stay voluntarily because they value the connection and experience of simply being there.
We’d be lying if we said Oldenburg’s concept was specifically what we had when we founded Z&M and began planning a variety of events and activities at our Leavenworth winery and later, our vineyard in Lawrence. However, as it turns out, we were absolutely envisioning the third place.
A Reason to Get Together
We aren’t content to always make other people’s fun for them (although that’s certainly something we enjoy doing). Meeting new people and interacting with neighbors at a concert or show can definitely be a good thing. But we also wanted to be a place where people who already know each other can connect and build on their existing relationships.
Whether it’s Valentine’s Day mix and mingle event for singles, an elegant, rustic date night, or a wine & paint night, it’s our privilege and pleasure to host events that provide people a reason to meet up and get to know one another better.
It’s why we also open up our spaces for private parties and rentals. You can gather with three other friends for a grape or fruit-crushing party to help prep the ingredients for our one-of-a-kind Twisted beverages. But you can also book our historic barn and or Leavenworth winery loft for a military event, whether it’s a promotion party, retirement, or hail and farewell.
Your Home Away From Home
A special feature about our Leavenworth location is its proximity both to the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and St. Mary’s University. Bryan has a master’s degree and Gina’s got a doctorate, so we know how hard it can be to find a relaxing place to get your head together and read or write something for class.
Both civilian and military students alike are welcome to come to use our Leavenworth winery as a relaxing place to snack and study. You can enjoy a glass of wine while you kick back with your study materials, but we also have non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase.
Z&M: Your Third Place in the Heartland
From lifetime Kansans to temporary transplants, Z&M’s Lawrence and Leavenworth locations are ideal third places. You can create connections, build relationships, or simply recharge in a relaxing location away from the demands of home and the stress of work.
We love meeting new people and watching acquaintances turn into regulars. So don’t be a stranger! Take a chance and stop by for an impromptu tasting, or attending one of our frequent events, which cater to a variety of audiences and groups. From family-friendly to silly, to strictly elegant occasions, we do it all, and we do it for you.
Looking for a place and reason to get everybody together? If you’re interested in booking a private party or event, contact us.
