First of all, let’s set this namesake straight. Do you know what a Merkin is? Go check it out on Wikipedia before you continue reading if you don’t. Now that we’re all on the same page, this is just another reason why we love Maynard Keenan, the mastermind behind the brand that has the name “Merkin” on everyone’s lips. If you are not into heavy metal, you are probably not familiar with his many bands including Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer. Congratulations, now you are all caught up!
Everyone in Arizona knows that this rock star lives in Jerome, Arizona on the side of a mountain built much like a military compound. Jerome is also known to be a haunted town with the tagline of “the wickedest town in the west” with its lecherous past, read about the spooky history some more here. Located in Verde Valley and because Maynard is not busy enough already, it houses two brands that work in unison Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards. With 110 acres under vine throughout the state, he is a founding board member of the Arizona Vignerons Alliance and member of the Arizona Winegrowers Association.
The end goal is to be all-natural Arizona everything from the fruits and vegetables to using the fresh lavender that grows wild. Maynard, his wife, Jennifer, and winemaker Tim White, produce about 7,000 cases a year in their underground concrete space known as “The Bunker”. Mostly Italian and Spanish varieties, Caduceus Cellars is harvested in Verde Valley in Yavapai County. The 70-acre Buhl Memorial Vineyard in Willcox, Arizona produces The Merkin Vineyards wines.
And lucky for us, we didn’t have to travel down to Willcox or up to Jerome to write this story because the brand opened an Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona location for that very reason! Located right off the Old Town main drag, you can swing by easily on foot (and Uber or Lyft your way home).
Look up for the telltale sign in Old Town Scottsdale, it’s kind of hidden off the main drag.It’s very dimly lit so had to use the flash so you can see what’s up at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale. Maynard’s music usually plays in the background but at this moment, it was Billie Elish.The logo glowing on the well at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale.Cans to go at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale as well as merchandise including T-shirts and hoodies cover the back wall.A better view of the logo at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale. Notice the merkin!Our power plus one, Doug Mackenzie from Visit Phoenix, joins us for a tasting and dinner in the mafia seat booth tucked in the corner at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale.Our welcoming glass of chupacabra bubbles is the champagne style option at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale. The Chupacabra program uses mostly French varieties and ended up being our favorite style all night long.
Jim Cunningham, assistant manager at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale, has over 20 years of food and beverage experience. Say hello to him, he’s very friendly and super happy to help you find your favorite wine!Baked truffle brie blew our minds at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale. We could have eaten 10 of these alone!A gorgeous meat and cheese plate including bunderfleisch from the German Sausage Co. and venison salami at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale.We started our tasting by throwing caution to the wind and trying whatever they brought us at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale starting with whites. From left, caduceus dos ladrones, Merkin the Diddler and Merkin shinola orancia. The diddler was my fave and also a fan fave.Rose was next at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale. From left, four eight rose and Merkin chupacabra rosa were both tangy and tart.And then the reds displayed in all their glory at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale. This is where Maynard really shines! From left, Merkin chupacabra, Caduceus Outlier & Odd Experiments, Caduceus Le Cortigiane Oneste, Merkin Tarzan Red and Caduceus sancha. While we worked our way through the reds, it was time to dine!At this point we were famished and dived into the “plate of pickles” which is picked vegetables fresh from the garden at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale.This huge Sun Valley Mushroom was so delicious, meaty and impressive at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale with white truffle essence, parmesan and chimichurri.The stir fry farro was salty and hearty health food at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale.A map of Arizona with pinpoints of vineyard locations give a good idea of where your wine is coming from and the topography at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale.We found our favorite reds! Doug loved the “refined man’s” Caduceus sancha and I loved the fan favorite Chupacabra at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale.A couple more whites to taste at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale. From left, the chupacabra blanca and four eight white.Since the huge mushroom slab was so impressive, we had to try the mushroom panini at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale. It is perfect for vegetarians!A spin on the traditional cuban adds pork belly inside at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale for a hearty panini sandwich.The trifecta of taste at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale. I delved into a glass of chupacabra blanca with two more tastings from fellow Arizona alliance members. From left, Four Tails Amigos and Four Tails Big Paw. While tasty, our tastebuds were already spoiled by Merkin’s outstanding reds.And last but certainly not least, the gelato at Merkin Vineyards Old Town Scottsdale was out of this world. Each bite tasted like lavender fields of flavor! Sold by the pint, other flavors include Bunker Mint Chip, Salted caramel cream, pomegranate and lemon and vanilla bean with booze. Totally a bucket list worthy dessert in the desert!
