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).