Jarhead FAQ's
WHAT IS JARHEAD RED?
Made by Marines on California’s Central Coast, Jarhead Red is a robust red wine that honors the men and women who defend our nation. The mission of Jarhead Red is to support the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which provides educational assistance to children of U.S. Marines, with special consideration given to families of fallen and wounded Marines.
WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF JARHEAD RED?
Jarhead Red was conceived by Adam Firestone in 1999 as a celebratory bottling for the annual Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation’s Birthday Ball in Los Angeles. Since the founding of the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775, at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Marines have gathered on this date to toast their comrades present and absent, as well as 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 growing demand, the wine was released for distribution and is now available nationwide.WHO ARE THE MARINES BEHIND THE WINE?
HOW DOES JARHEAD WINE COMPANY SUPPORT ITS CHARITABLE MISSION?
The wines are made by Winegrower, Adam Firestone (Captain USMC 1984-91) and Vineyard Foreman, Ruben Dominguez (Sergeant USMC 1979-84). Following active duty, both Marines were redeployed to California’s Central Coast to conduct vineyard operations under new MOS’s.
We donate the net proceeds (i.e. what's left after we recover costs for farming, grapes, winemaking, labor, materials, shipping, and, of course, Federal and State taxes) of all wine sales to USMC-based charities, primarily the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. The net proceeds can vary on where the wine is purchased (typically, the further from the winery, the higher the costs). At a base minimum, we donate $12 per wholesale case sold, and $24 per retail case when purchased directly from the winery. We also encourage our wholesale distributors to participate in supporting our mission.
WHAT IS THE MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION?
This is one of the finest and most focused charitable organizations anywhere. The board of directors is made up of mostly retired Marines dedicated to honoring Marines by educating their children. The Foundation leadership is made of a lean but dedicated staff who bring the message of the Foundation nationwide via a variety of events and fundraisers. We are proud to help spread that message. For more information please visit www.mcsf.org and have your credit card at hand.
WHERE IS JARHEAD RED AVAILABLE?
Purchase our wine online.
WHAT IF I CAN’T FIND JARHEAD RED IN MY LOCAL WINE SHOP?
This is where you – the Jarhead Nation – need to mobilize. We need to enlarge our area of operations. Consider yourself recruited to the mission. Quietly hinting that your wine merchant might include it is too subtle a tactic. Throwing a tantrum and refusing to leave the store until it arrives is probably overkill. Try and find a happy medium. But don’t surrender the issue until it’s on the shelf. The MCSF and wine lovers everywhere will thank you.
WHAT DOES “JARHEAD” MEAN?
The word “Jarhead” is presumed to be a pejorative term for “Marine.” Somehow, the majority of Marines consider it a term of endearment. Go figure.
WHAT IS THE “JARHEAD NATION”? I WAS NOT A MARINE, DOES THAT MEAN I AM NOT THE “JARHEAD NATION”?
No. The Jarhead Nation is just the greater community of Marines and those essential to its success and future. There are many whose life’s calling is to house Marines, rear their children and bring civility to their lives. If you happen to share a roof with one of the knuckle dragging variety of Marines, you are a most valued part of the Jarhead Nation.
IS THERE A JARHEAD ROSÉ?
No. While Marines might drink a rosé, they aren’t likely to admit it.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, as well as friendly fellow civilians. The first glass should be raised to toast those fallen. Then, to the United States and our Commander in Chief, and finally to the health of the Marine Corps. The wine should be savored and enjoyed in moderation.
For more information, contact:Adam Firestone
Company Commander
CaptAdam@JarheadRed.com
