Veterans Day, November 11, is dedicated to honoring those who served in times of peace or war to protect the values of the United States. However, adjusting back into civilian life post-service can be extremely challenging. Close to 1 million veterans experienced poverty within the last year, with more than 67,000 living without a home, according to the University of Southern California data. It’s as important as ever to aid those service members, and one way is to directly support small businesses that are owned and operated by veterans. Of the Northwest’s many breweries, wineries and distilleries, veterans are carving out a space for themselves in these competitive industries. Here are three stories from veteran small business owners, and a list of other vet-owned producers making their presence known in the Northwest.
Dauntless Wine Cømpany –Forest Grove, Oregon
Ben Martin, co-founder of Dauntless and a Marine Corps veteran, experienced firsthand the challenge of returning home from duty. “You go into this collectivist mindset that’s trained to destroy with impunity, and then you are more or less released back into this individualistic society you came from, with no real support,” he explains. Martin enlisted one week before the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, a moment in history that altered American national security. Martin got out of active duty in 2006 after serving in Iraq and spent years in marketing post-service. But a different career path was slowly taking shape.
In 2008, Martin was talking to an American who served in the French Foreign Legion about the struggles of adjusting to life after serving. The man, who was battling with substance abuse at the time, told him he was considering returning to France to work at a chateau owned by the legion, where he could assist with making wine and olive oil. These types of methodical activities were intended to be therapeutic for veterans and, although Martin wasn’t interested in wine or viticulture at the time, the concept stuck with him.
“Then fast-forward to 2012, I had met a bunch of veterans, again, that were all kind of like-minded,” Martin says. “We thought that local sustainable agriculture was kind of at the corner of national security, and that veterans needed a purpose. And agriculture fit.”
Martin and the group of veterans spent a month working with a world-renowned permaculturalist learning the principles of the practice – which was similar to biodynamics in viticulture. Around the same time, studies were emerging about the positive impacts of probiotics in soil, and their potential to help with depression and PTSD. “I suggested that we do viticulture because the idea came back up in my mind from 2008 when I met the legionnaire,” Martin says. “But at that time, none of us knew anything about viticulture, none of us knew anything about winemaking, and it was just too much – I guess you could say it was too daunting to tackle for us.”
A couple of years later, Martin and his buddies Ryan Mills and Paul Warmbier, both combat veterans as well, decided to go wine tasting in Walla Walla, Washington. As they talked over wines, Martin’s past inspiration came back to the surface. They agreed to take a leap of faith into the winemaking industry. “I think the wine probably assisted in our decision-making, but we decided we would incorporate and tackle this project called Dauntless together,” Martin says. Martin immediately enrolled in Chemeketa Community College’s wine studies program and began volunteering at a winery called Blooming Hill (now called Spurious) close to his house. “That’s where I made my first vintage in 2015, and then it kind of snowballed after that,” he says.
Since then, Dauntless has evolved into a respected, award-winning winery. Their 2016 Trebuchet won the 2018 Oregon Pinot Noir of the Year from the New York International Wine Competition, and the three veteran friends were honored as the Oregon Wine Press Persons of the Year in 2016.
While Mills and Warmbier have gone on to pursue other areas of life, Martin is still running Dauntless and its two Willamette Valley tasting rooms. One in downtown Willamette, and the other in the valley’s wine country. Check out their three-bottle charity pack, which donates a portion of your purchase to their Dauntless Veteran Foundation, which is dedicated to helping “train and equip veterans to translate their talents from the field to the farm.”
American Revolution Vodka – Boise, Idaho
Walter Kerpa founded American Revolution Vodka in Boise, Idaho, with his late brother Ed Kerpa back in 2010. The vodka combines their family’s old Prussia recipe with modern distilling techniques that combine for a smooth, clean vodka. Walter Kerpa says it took a long time to build the business after returning from Army service, but he wants his brand to serve as a template and inspiration for other veterans with entrepreneurial goals.
“Whether it’s four years, 12 years, 20 years out of your time in your life to serve your country, you step back in [to civilian life] assuming that everything’s good, and you’re gonna have a great job, or you’re going to start a business, but it really doesn’t work that way,” Kerpa says. “A lot of people feel like they’ve just been left out, and now they have to play catch up.”
Kerpa believes one of the most challenging aspects of returning home is the lack of structure compared to the military. “It’s hard sometimes to think outside of the box and do your own thing,” Kerpa says.
But he also knew another commonality among service members: Their resilient nature to overcome hard times. “When the going gets tough – you know military – tough get goin’,” he says. “That persistence is what has kept me in business all the times as a small business that you’re about to just shut the doors.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, American Revolution struggled to stay afloat, and nearly closed shop. But a recent opportunity to partner with Rita Haney on whiskey arose. Haney was the longtime partner of ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott, heavy metal guitarist for well-known bands Pantera and Damageplan. Abbott was tragically shot and killed on stage by a fan who was discharged from the military due to his schizophrenia. Haney, eager to support the veteran community, has partnered with the Kerpas in hopes of creating a whiskey that’s as great as their vodka, and to expand their brand and distillation portfolio.
Before Ed Kerpa’s passing a couple of years ago, he taught his nephew and Walter’s son, Jordan Kerpa, the tricks of the trade, including how to remove contaminants, congeners and fusel alcohols from the vodka. Ed was passionate about chemistry, botany and herbology, and is described as “the genius” behind American Revolution Vodka. Their process also includes blending their 95% alcohol base with artesian well water drawn from 750 feet underground, which is then purified to remove the small traces of sulfur and magnesium (while leaving other good minerals). Today, Walter and his son Jordan continue Ed’s legacy by producing the quadruple distilled, gluten and GMO-free vodka.
The Kerpas and American Revolution support Idaho-based non-profit Higher Ground, a recreation therapy organization focusing on improving veterans, first responders and other people with visible or invisible disabilities.
American Revolution Vodka is currently available for delivery in most U.S. states. Make sure to keep an eye out for their collaborative whiskey in the future as well.
Forward Operating Base (F.O.B.) Brewing Company – DuPont, Washington
When it comes to providing a great community space for active-duty military, veterans and anyone interested in their stories, Forward Operating Base (F.O.B.) does it right. Located just a mile from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, F.O.B. serves as the perfect off-base place for military personnel to blow off steam and share stories over craft beers. The idea for F.O.B. started in 2011 when owner Jared Wharton was serving in Afghanistan. After missions, Wharton and his unit would return to their temporary base — also called a forward operating base — to drink coffee, have a smoke and try to relax.
“They were usually these kinds of places that were built up with whatever materials you had around,” Wharton describes. “A place to decompress and joke and have a good time — as much as you could, really.” One day, Wharton looked around their base, where he had created so many bonds, and thought to himself, “Man, I wish there was a place like this for us when we get home.” When he returned from deployment, he was determined to turn that idea into reality.
Wharton’s interest in brewing started much earlier than F.O.B.’s inception. He started brewing for fun in 2002 and, although he and his buddies admittedly burned the grains in their first batch, Wharton was determined to make beer, so he kept experimenting and learning. Upon returning from Afghanistan in 2014, Wharton started to take brewing more seriously, and in 2017, Wharton was ready to open up shop.
F.O.B.’s atmosphere is decorated with military memorabilia and repurposed military items, some of which have been contributed by the nearby servicemember community. “As soon as the doors were open, people started bringing me stuff, like ‘Hey, can we have our unit flag in here?’” Wharton says. Those in Special Operations communities also bring in stickers representing their teams, sealing them onto the bar to make their presence known. “It’s kind of taken off where people, other veterans or current military people, go ‘Hey, I have this thing that’s been in my garage for five years, do you want it?’” Wharton says. That collaboration gives F.O.B. a very authentic atmosphere, because there’s a bit of randomness to the memorabilia, similar to the real-life bases that inspired Wharton.
F.O.B. will hold its annual Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, November 11, welcoming veterans, active servicemembers and their families, and all others who want to pay their respects to the military community. Wharton says a great way to honor veterans that goes beyond the typical ‘thank you for your service’ remark is to get to know them a bit more.
“I think what our veteran community specifically really wants is somebody to ask them, ‘What was it like? Where were you? How is that affecting you today?’” Wharton explains. He adds that asking a little more about veterans’ experiences can mean a lot because those experiences do leave a lasting impact. At the end of the day, that’s also the main purpose of F.O.B., a place to share and hear the experiences of servicemembers, both past and present.
Every year, F.O.B. partners with other veteran-owned breweries from around the United States and selects a blend of hops from Yakima. $3 for every pound sold goes to a different veteran charity that the group chooses as well. This year, Wharton used those hops to make a juicy hazy IPA that has tropical and citrus notes.
More Veteran-owned Producers
Bear Island Brewing Co. – Boise, Idaho
Bear Island Brewing Co. is a small veteran-owned and operated brewery founded by Steve and Beth (Westover) Betchel in 2013. Located in a repurposed Boise firehouse, the brewery frequently holds live music, trivia nights and even has an axe-throwing station. To support other businesses in the community, Bear Island tries to use local ingredients as much as possible, including Idaho hops, barley and potatoes.
Bunkhouse Brewing – Bozeman, Montana
With two Bozeman locations, one next to Montana State University’s campus, Bunkhouse Brewing is known for crafting great beer and keeping a large rotating selection. Founded by Air Force veteran Andy Stohlmann and his wife, Beth, Bunkhouse has a clean, industrial-chic atmosphere with a nice outdoor space. The brewery has weekly open mic nights, trivia nights and a cribbage league.
Comforts of Whidbey – Langley, Washington
It would be hard to find a more fitting last name than that of veterans Carl and Rita Comfort. Comforts of Whidbey, their estate winery and bed and breakfast, is the perfect getaway for a few hours of wining and dining, or a few days of relaxation on the beautiful Puget Sound. Located in Langley, Washington, on Whidbey Island, their 22-acre farm has roughly 6,000 grapevine plants. The bed and breakfast, which has six quaint and charming rooms, is currently available from February through November.
Holmes Harbor Cellars – Greenbank, Washington
Making great wine requires a combination of knowledge, artistry and discipline, and Greg and Theresa Martinez embody all three as a married couple. Greg, a musician, poet, and retired Navy pilot, has been around the world, witnessing the elegant craftsmanship of the wine industry in countries such as Italy, France and Spain. Theresa, a professional chemist, brings a complementary scientific perspective to Greg’s artistry.
Leony’s Cellars – Enumclaw and Cashmere, Washington
By chance or by fate, Navy veteran Sandi Moreno scrolled through Craigslist for a wine barrel to use as a backyard table but ended up purchasing a boutique winery in Cashmere, Washington. The seller agreed to teach Sandi and her husband Salvador how to make wine, so they took a leap of faith. Since then, the small producer has increased their production from 300 gallons to nearly 6,000.
Running Dogs Brewery – St. Helens, Oregon
Jaron and Maggie Clayton started Running Dogs Brewery as a casual hobby but has grown into a full-time business in the charming city center of St. Helens. Jaron, an Army veteran, started experimenting with home brewing after returning home from deployment in Iraq. From the beginning, he wanted to go against the grain by making new and unique beers. The Clayton’s brewpub has its unusual, tasty beers on full display, with options like Shroomy ChanterAle, brewed with chanterelle mushrooms. Check out this social media comedy couple @theblondebrewer.
Uva Ferum Winery – Maple Valley, Washington
Uva Ferum is a family-owned, boutique winery started by brothers and Air Force veterans Jens and T.J. Hansen. They source their grapes from multiple AVAs in Washington and Oregon and pride themselves on their commitment to working with small family growers. Their Latin name, which they translate to “grape smuggler” is an ode to the United States military’s historical use of Latin phrases.
Vanguard Brewing – Wilsonville, Oregon
Established in 2015 by Don and Lin Anderson, Vanguard Brewing uses locally grown ingredients brewed in small batches. Their journey began back in 1990 when Lin gifted Don a homebrew kit. Who knew that a simple gift would lead to three decades of brewing experience and an Anderson-family business? Today, Vanguard’s indoor-outdoor brewery and restaurant is open seven days a week with craft beers that have been brewed on-site since 2015.
Willie’s Distillery – Ennis, Montana
Willie’s Distillery was founded by Willie and Robin Blazer in 2010 with the goals of embodying the American West and supporting the local community. Willie formerly served in the U.S. Armed Forces and U.S. Forest Service. Robin passed away in 2022, but “her work serves as a testament to Montana’s prohibition-era history of a female-driven spirits industry.”
