Our Story
Built from Sisterhood
Woman-owned. Minority-owned. Service-disabled veteran-owned. Twisted Sistuhs is an experiential wine company grounded in legacy, sisterhood, and community.
The Journey
Our Story in Time
From sisterhood to sip, key moments that shaped who we are.
2017/2018
Where It Began
From 2017 to 2018, four fierce and fabulous women — Kristi, Shayla, Ogechi and LaKenya — began building something special in Nashville, TN. Brought together by Kristi, their shared natural hair stylist, this sisterhood of like-minded women bonded over a love of libations, travel, and the divine energy of the universe. They spent those early years developing their brand concept: the logo, wine varietals, label design, and the zodiac-inspired story at the heart of Twisted Sistuhs. With the support of their wine broker Stacey Thomas and their brother in the industry Jason Ridgel of Guidance Whiskey, they navigated the intricacies of the wine and spirits world together.
2019
The Launch
Twisted Sistuhs launched their first varietal at R&R Liquor Store, a minority-owned shop in Nashville. By that fall, they had expanded to two more varietals and a second location — Priest Point Wine & Spirits. What started as a sisterhood became a brand, and Nashville took notice.
2020
Tested by Life
In 2020, Twisted Sistuhs faced their greatest challenge. They lost their dearest Sistuh, Shayla O’Bard. LaKenya stepped away to focus on motherhood. The weight of both losses was immense — but so was the love that held the brand together. Shayla’s spirit became the foundation they built upon, forever woven into the DNA of Twisted Sistuhs. She may not be here physically, but she never left energetically.
2021
Rising
March 2021 marked a milestone: Twisted Sistuhs became the first women-, minority-, and veteran-owned wine brand to launch a Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Wine Blend. They expanded to more than 35 liquor stores and restaurants across Middle Tennessee, including the Nashville Airport, and earned their WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise certification. Through grief and grit, they rose.
2022
Going National
Twisted Sistuhs went online — shipping to 40+ states — and grew to 50+ retail & restaurant locations across Tennessee. What began in two minority-owned liquor stores in Nashville was now reaching wine lovers across the country. The movement was bigger than Middle Tennessee.
2024
A New Chapter
Kristi stepped back from her day-to-day role to pursue her natural hair care line — a full-circle moment for the woman who first brought the Sistuhs together in her chair. She remains a co-founder/owner of the company. Ogechi continues to lead Twisted Sistuhs forward as CEO, carrying the discipline, resilience, and fierce energy of every founding Sistuh into the next era.
2025
The Experiential Era
Twisted Sistuhs officially stepped into its next identity: an experiential wine company. No longer just a bottle on a shelf — Twisted Sistuhs became a full sensory experience, showing up at live music events, pop-ups, festivals, and wine tastings where the energy is high and the people are ready to connect. We don’t just pour wine. We set the vibe.
2026
The Collab Era
The year of powerful partnerships rooted in purpose, community, and culture. Twisted Sistuhs joined forces with Mansion on Mars to create Twisted Mansion — an immersive experience where wine meets live music and good vibes. Featuring Nashville artist Christopher Robinson, who wrote and recorded an original song titled “Twisted Sistuhs.” Twisted Sistuhs and Guidance Whiskey came together to create Twisted Guidance, a signature cocktail. And in a collaboration close to our hearts, we partnered with James Wade & The 1912 Sports Group to support Women’s Athletics at Tennessee State University.
Join the Journey
Whether you are here for the wine, the community, or the cosmic energy, there is a place for you in the sisterhood. Come as you are.