Rockstar, Black Belt, Restaurateur & Vintner - Wine tasting with Maynard James Keenan of Tool, Puscifer & A Perfect Circle
Rockstar, Black Belt, Restaurateur & Vintner - Wine tasting with Maynard James Keenan of Tool, Puscifer & A Perfect Circle
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Rock Star and Winemaker Maynard James Keenan
August 13, 2024 - Terri Williams
Maynard James Keenan has involved himself in many endeavors. He is the lead singer of rock bands Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle. Most recently he has been recording and touring with A Perfect Circle and Puscifer which are his most successful music projects. Although he may be a hard-edged rock icon, there’s something you may not know about him; he owns vineyards, tasting rooms, and a winery.
Keenan was in his twenties and living in Boston when his appreciation for wine started. A close friend would host cookouts and pair dishes with Italian wines. There, Keenan realized the connection between wine and good food, and the intangible experience elicited by the pairing.
He was part-owner of Cobras & Matadors restaurant in Los Angeles. He chose to move to Arizona in 1995, mainly because of his "disdain for California." He then decided to take on another business venture and open up a winery in Arizona, southwest of where he lives today. The winery is called Caduceus Cellars, which is named after an ancient symbol for commerce.
The rocker partly owned Arizona Stronghold Vineyards (ASV) with Eric Glomski, which was located in the Sulfur Springs Valley. In 2007 fulfilling a shared dream of creating an artisanal, world-class Arizona winery, ASV is one of a small but growing list of Arizona wineries that make wines using 100% state-grown grapes.
The Grammy Award-winning rock star successfully helms multiple wine endeavors, as well as selling bottles, shirts, wine paraphernalia and gelato. Caduceus Cellars' Red Blends "Shinola" wine won 'Best of Show' in 2009 for the Los Angeles County Fair.
Arizona wines have earned their place on the international stage, challenging the belief that some ‘traditional’ wine regions have the lock on great wines.
Merkin Vineyards is on a mission to come as close as possible to delivering a completely locally sourced Arizona experience. It’s a mission few would choose to take on, but a priority when regional, sustainable, and a sense of place are essential.
Lei Li, Naga, Sancha, Kitsunè and Marzo Wines are featured.
Culinary offerings at Hilltop Trattoria
For a more indepth experience, the Velvet Slippers Ventura Room offers an exclusive, in-depth look at the history and mechanics of Caduceus Cellars. This unique experience includes a vineyard tour, facility tour, and top-notch guided tasting and Arizona Tapas pairing featuring produce from their estate gardens. Enjoy a private, personal, and exclusive wine and dining experience lasting 90 minutes.
“In the many years I’ve been working towards this moment, one of the things I discovered when it comes to bridging the hurdle of exposing people to Arizona wine is context. So, by putting a place like this in the middle of Cottonwood with five acres of vines, two winery facilities, a full greenhouse, and a full kitchen, all the context becomes visible and you kind of break down the barriers of whatever preconceptions you have of Arizona wine,” said Maynard James Keenan.
Of his move and connection to Verde Valley, Arizona "As we entered the Verde Valley, my heart started to race. By the time we got to Jerome, I was vibrating. We — my inner dialogue and myself — knew this was the place," Keenan stated. "This was like that moment when you realize you've just met your soulmate. You just know."
If you are interested in knowing more about Maynard's journey into becoming a vintner, there is a documentary called "Blood into Wine: The Arizona Stronghold." The movie features Glomski and Keenan’s struggles and successes of what it’s like to make wine in the Arizona desert conditions.
Your food expectations will be subverted at his trattoria – Caduceaus Cellars Hilltop Facility, More than crackers and pretentious cheese.
Your food expectations will be subverted at his trattoria – Caduceaus Cellars Hilltop Facility, More than crackers and pretentious cheese.
If you would like to taste Keenan’s wines a good place to start would be the Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Trattoria of Cottonwood. Sitting adjacent to the 9,500 square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility and surrounded by a 4.5-acre vineyard, the Merkin Vineyards/Caduceus Cellars Hilltop Winery & Trattoria is a jewel in the Arizona desert. While here, you can take in the sites of the winery and barrel room, on-site greenhouse and bottle shop, and more. Located at the base of the complex is the Merkin Vineyards Pocket Park Gelateria, where customers can purchase freshly made gelato and secure a token for the Hilltop Tram that will transport them to the hilltop, a remnant of the area’s copper mining past.
For people looking for a place to brunch, the Hilltop features a Sunday Brunch starting at 10 am. The regular brunch menu items are veggie or meat quiche, french toast, biscuits and gravy. If you can't make it to Arizona you can but it online at caduceuscellars.org.
Merkin Trattoria is not most wine bars or restaurants. Keenan opened the restaurant in September of 2023 as an elegant outpost for his winery, placing an unusual emphasis on locally sourced dishes. From the Bolognese, fresh house pasta, garden herbs, pizzas and desserts, the Calabrian pizza stands out. The staff will definitely be able to suggest an appropriate wine pairing. For more information on his wines, visit merkintrattoria.com.
Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Trattoria and Gelateria
Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Trattoria and Gelateria
Cottonwood, AZ, 86326 United States
Service is first come, first served.
Reservations are available for parties of 8 of larger – please call to book.
SUNDAY: 10AM-8PM
MON-THUR: 11AM-9PM
FRI-SAT: 11AM-10PM
Ph: (928) 639-1001
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