What is Jarhead Red?

Jarhead Jarhead Red is a wine made by Marines, for Marines on Californiaís Central Coast. The current vintage is a robust, full-bodied 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers flavors of plum, cassis and black currant with fine tannins on the finish. It is aged in French oak barrels for eight months. Follow-on vintages will be Bordeaux based (i.e. principally Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.)

Is there a Jarhead rosé?

No. While Marines might drink a rose’ they aren’t likely to admit it.

What is Jarhead Red Reserve?

Jarhead Red Reserve was released on November 10th , 2006. It is a reserve blend of all 5 Bordeaux varieties (30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petite Verdot and 10% Malbec). There were a total of 502 cases produced (actually, there were 503 cases originally made, but we drank the first already). This wine is designed to repay careful cellaring and to provide comfort to the loneliness of a Last Man toast.

Who are the Marines behind the wine?

The wine was made by Winegrower, Adam Firestone (Captain USMC 1984-91) and Vineyard Foreman Ruben Dominguez (Sergeant USMC 1979-84) for Marines. Following active duty, both Marines were redeployed to California’s Central Coast to conduct vineyard operations under new MOS’s.


What were the origins of Jarhead Red?

Jarhead Red was conceived in 1999 as a celebratory bottling for the annual USMC Scholarship Foundation Birthday Ball in Los Angeles. Since the Marine Corps founding on November 10, 1775, at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Marines have gathered on this date and toasted their comrades present and absent, and the future of the USMC. Over the years, the wine gained a following by word of mouth and was enjoyed at Birthday Balls around the country. To meet this growing demand, the wine was released for distribution and sale last year.


Where is Jarhead Red available?

The wine is distributed by Young's Market Company in California and Opici Wine Group in New York and New Jersey.

How should Jarhead Red be Served?

The cork should be removed at least one hour prior to service – the Ka-Bar should not be used. The wine should be served in the company of Marines, corpsmen and fellow comrades in arms. The first glass should be raised to toast those fallen. Next, then to United States and our Commander in Chief, and finally to the health of the Marine Corps. The wine should be savored and taken in moderation.

Who profits from sales of Jarhead Red?

Net proceeds from the sale of the wine benefit the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which provides educational assistance to children of U.S. Marines, with special attention given to children of fallen Marines. For more information on the foundation, please visit www.mcsf.org.

What does "Net Proceeds" Mean?

We recover for the production costs of the wine that include glass, bottle, corks, labels, capsules, cartons, grapes and state and federal taxes. Net Proceeds will depend on how the wine is purchased. Jarhead Red is now available through our wholesale distribution channels that deliver it to wine merchants across the country. Those wholesalers and retailers both recover their margins and shipping costs as well as additional state taxes that vary across the country. We pressure the wholesalers to donate back to the MCSF with limited success. Wines that are purchased on line create the greatest contribution to the MCSF as there are no mark-ups, nor warehousing costs. Please consider donating directly to at www.mcsf.org.

For more information, contact:

Adam Firestone
CaptAdam@JarheadRed.com