Now a days it seems that the wine industry is attracting more star power with the likes of Drew Barrymore, Emilo Esteves (thank God Charlie isn't working there), bands such as Train, Queensryche and more buying up land or partnering with actual winemakers and or vineyards.
About 6 years ago, I read in Wine Spectator magazine that Maynard J Keenan from the bands Tool and A Perfect Circle was starting his own vineyard in of all places Arizona. Craziness, but oh so intriguing. Again I'm not much for celebrity products especially in the wine industry. But the idea that this rock star was undertaking this project in of all places Arizona caught my interest. How good could it be but above that how serious can he be. I delved into some more research. Saw a few online interviews and read a crap load of articles. How bad can the stuff be? I found an online store that sold the wines here on the east coast so I placed an order for a few bottles. Upon arrival, excitement and nerves set in. What if it completely sucks? After all this stuff was not cheap by any means at $30 to $50 a bottle. My boss who is very skeptical of anything outside of California and Italy laughed at me.
Opening the first bottle of the 2007 Caduceus Primer Paso, a blend of Syrah and Malvasia, it was like a thick piece of velvet ! Again, the boss is intrigued but doubting. Wine Spectator eventually scores it a 91. Not bad at all.
On an evening out to dinner with my boss and coworker I b g another bottle, this time the 2006 Caduceus Naga a pseudo Brunello style big red. Without telling anyone what it was, the boss takes a sip and says "What's that? Is that a Brunello?" No it's from Arizona, actually the grapes at the time are sourced from California. He was fooled!
I was hooked on the wine not because I'm the biggest Tool fan in the world but I believed what this guy was doing out there. Instead of using his star power to just market the brand, he was working the vineyard, picking and planting, bottling, racking, e .
Then the movie/documentary came out, "Blood Into Wine" where you could see what he was doing. Then the shot hit the fan and his legions of groupies wanted the wines.
I had the very fortunate opportunity to meet Eric Glomski, winemaker and Maynard's partner, and host a wine dinner in Connecticut with him. Great guy with a great philosophy and attitude in creating wine in an area not known for it. That summer I got the opportunity to attend a concert in NYC and host a back stage wine tasting for about 50 to 60 A Perfect Circle fans. To much of their dismay, I was not as big of a fan of Maynard's music. The look of horror and comments I got!! In turn I asked everyone, " would you be drinking and buyin this wine if it wasn't his? No! So I'm the reverse of you all. I enjoy and respect what he is doing out in Arizona with creating an entire industry and economy based around wine and I like his music." I earn some respect and understanding. Maynard comes out with inconspicuously and everyone is silent and start struck. I have to admit I was as well.
I stand behind the wines because yes the wines are good despite what a lot of critics and wine snobs say. I believe in what Maynard is trying to accomplish out there and respect his opinions and direction. I wasn't here when the first vines were planted in California, but I feel like I'm witnessing the beginning of another region on the cusp of being a recognized wine producing area...and the wines are damn good if you can get them.
