For Vogt, the biggest similarity between his military service and the world of wine is the feelings both evoke. He likens the connections built over a bottle of excellent mountain cabernet sauvignon, which Sky Devils Wines produces, to the camaraderie he found with fellow Marines while serving on active duty for 12 years and during his subsequent years as a reservist. “The best moments [with wine] legitimately remind me of the joy and exhilaration that I’ve only previously felt when deployed with elite units in the Marines,” he says.

The charitable aspect of Sky Devil Wines is the foundation of Vogt and Goldberg’s business; they always intended to make wine that gives back to a cause about which both felt passionate. Goldberg, who lives in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington DC, is the grandson of a member of the storied World War II USMC F-4U Corsair squadron VMF311. In many ways, Vogt’s military experience led him to become a successful vintner. “Marines are generally very serious about their work and about mission accomplishment. Similarly, most winemakers and vintners are very passionate about what they’re doing and why they’re doing it,” he says. It’s the behind-the-scenes aspects that bond the two, specifically a keen attention to detail and an undeniable work ethic. “Though the consequences of failure might differ between the Marine pilot and winemaker or vintner, the result of either job well done is a perfectly balanced work of art that makes its owner feel extremely proud,” says Vogt.