Reviews Flying Leap Vineyards [Spotlight] Tom Marshall January 20, 2023 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. Ironically, some of our staff have been enjoying Flying Leap wines for years but only recently found out they were veteran owned. Turns out that this southern Arizona vineyard is the brainchild of Mark Beres, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy who then embarked on a diverse and wide-ranging career as a pilot. Starting out as a C-5 pilot working global airlift missions, he went on to serve as an instructor pilot before switching to rotary-wing aircraft. Specifically, he flew the unique MH-53 Pave Low helicopter for Air Force Special Operations Command. Following his time in special operations, Beres went to Naval Test Pilot School, working as both a developmental and operational test pilot before finally being medically retired due to injury. Growing up in Washington State, with a background in agriculture, Beres already had some familiarity with the wine industry. Seeing an opportunity in Arizona, where demand for wine was growing and land was inexpensive, he started Flying Leap Vineyards. Originally, the goal of the operation was to provide grapes to smaller regional wineries, but they eventually started bottling under their own label. However, there’s far more to Flying Leap than wine. They also produce an array of unique spirits, including lavender brandies, cask-aged grappa, and blue corn bourbon aged in maple syrup barrels. They even have the advantage of reusing their wine barrels for their spirits. For example, they have a double-oaked Wine Country Rye whiskey that ages in port wine casks. While the vineyard and distillery are located in Elgin, Arizona, they have several tasting rooms around the state including Scottsdale, Tucson, and Tubac (the photo shown here was taken at their Tubac location). If you happen to be passing through Arizona, we encourage you to stop into any of their locations and have a pour. Otherwise, you can browse their web store at Flying Leap Vineyards. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
