Caduceus Cellar Merkin Vineyards
Country: USA Region: Arizona |New Mexico Appellation: Arizona |New Mexico Producer: Caduceus Cellars Founded: 2005 Annual Production: 4500 cases Farming: Sustainable Website: www.caduceus.org
Caduceus Cellars is yet another venture of Maynard James Keenan. This international rock star has set out to rock the wine business. Keenan researched wine-growing regions around the world to identify the varieties best suited for the high desert conditions found in the Verde Valley, Cochise County and regions in New Mexico. As a result, the winery is producing some of Arizona's finest wines using Spanish, Italian and Rhone varieties.
Arizona resident since 1995, Former West Point Cadet/soldier, Co-founder of International Recording Acts TOOL, A Perfect Circle, and PUSCIFER, and Co-founder and owner of Arizona Stronghold Vineyards. Maynard made his way to Arizona from Ohio/Michigan via Boston and Los Angeles. His intuition serves him well. Having already dove headfirst into his winemaking venture, Maynard found out from a distant relative that wine making is in his blood. His Great Grandfather, “Spirito” Marzo, had vineyards and made wine in Venaus, Italy, just North of Turino in Piemonte. Maynard along with his fiancée, Jennifer, are producing roughly 4500 cases a year in their tiny underground cement facility known as The Bunker. Open-topped 1/2 ton bin carbonic maceration for the Reds, and whole cluster pressed stainless steel cold fermentation for the Whites and Rosés. The epitome of a boutique owner owned and operated winery.
Merkin Vineyards currently has five different blocks. 4800 ft above sea level, Merkin West is limestone-like chalky sedimentary rock. 4200 ft above sea level, Merkin East, and South are covered with fine river sediment over a bed of calcareous substrate. Merkin Yavapai Collge Block is nestled in the alluvial foothills of Mingus Mountain, and the Merkin Vineyards Elephante block has a minimum of 5 different soils/terrain profiles all on a 28 acre site. All this peppered with volcanic magic dust. While the winery is named after caduceus, an ancient symbol for commerce and staff of the Greek god Hermes, the vineyard is named Merkin Vineyards, after a pubic wig (merkin).
PO BOX 1438 TOPANGA CA | 310.455.1287 | www.garberandcompany.com | [email protected]
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Viticulture in Arizona began in the 16th century when missionary Spanish Jesuit priests began to plant grapevines and make wine for use in Christian religious ceremonies. Unlike most vineyards in Arizona, which are located in the southeastern portion of the state near Tucson—the location of Arizona's only designated American Viticultural Area, the Sonoita AVA—Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards are based in the unincorporated area of Page Springs/Cornville, Arizona, southwest of Keenan's place of residence, as well as the cellar where wine tasting is available, in Jerome (which is open 365 days a year). Keenan has characterized the neighbors of the winery as "a teetotaling Republican community"
Keenan's mother died in 2003, at the age of 59, due to complications from a brain aneurysm. Following her death, he scattered her ashes across one of his vineyards later honoring her memory with his Cabernet Sauvignon "Nagual del Judith", the first made entirely with grapes from Merkin Vineyards. In a statement released in April 2009, Keenan stated: I am standing on a metaphorical plateau. The view from here suggests that I/we still have many mountains to negotiate. It has already been a long journey. But the successes and failures have been in balance. Which would suggest that I/we have chosen the correct path. I hold in my hands the evidence to support this statement . . . With tears in my eyes, I present to you the very first 100 percent Arizona Caduceus wine. Nagual del Judith, named after my late mother, Judith Marie, whose ashes are spread across this Northern Arizona vineyard. These vines and wines are her resurrection and her wings.
Previous wines were named after relatives of the Chiricahua Apache chief Cochise who lived in the area where the vineyard is located, and were produced at Page Springs Cellars, owned by Keenan's business partner.
PO BOX 1438 TOPANGA CA | 310.455.1287 | www.garberandcompany.com | [email protected]
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Wine Blend Vine Age Soil Type Vineyard Area Merkin Chupacabra Blanca 26% Gewurz (NM) 2012 26% Sav Bl 20% Riesling 14% Chard 11% Chen Bl 3% Malvasia Blanca
Merkin Chupacabra Red 50% Syrah (NM) 2012 20% Cab 16% Cab Fr 14% Pet Sirah
Merkin Shinola Red (NM) 25% 2012 Dolcetto, 25% Primitivo, 25% Refosco, 12.5% Sangiovese 12.5% Montepulciano The Diddler (AZ) 2011 54% Chen Bl 30% Sav Bl 16% Chard
Caduceus Anubis (NM) 50% Cabernet 2011 Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 10% Barbera
Caduceus Nagual Del 55% Marzo (AZ) 2011 Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Barbera
PO BOX 1438 TOPANGA CA | 310.455.1287 | www.garberandcompany.com | [email protected]
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VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION
Chupacabra Blanca (NM) 2012 The Chupacabra Blanca is our Shape Shifter white blend. This year's moving target is Chenin Blanc, Sav Blanc, Reisling, Chard, Pinot Grigio from Luna County, New Mexico. Crisp, aromatic, high elevation desert white. 26% Sauvignon Blanc, 26% Gewurztraminer, 20% Riesling, 14% Chardonnay, 11% Chenin Blanc, 3% Malvasia Bianca. This is an interesting wine that blends several aromatic varieties. The wine has a smooth, rich mid- palate, but the acidity is high, and it all comes out with great balance. This blend changes every year, and fittingly, Chupacabra means 'shapeshifter.'
Merkin Chupacabra Red (NM) 2012 The Chupacabra is our Shape Shifter red blend. This years moving target is Syrah, Petit Sirah, Cab Sav from Luna County, New Mexico. Full bodied yet restrained. 50% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Sirah The Trickster, The Shape Shifter, The ever elusive shadow who mutates with the Sun and Moon. One year a Dragon, another a Snake. This is our mystery blend. Think forest, not trees. Think weather, not rain. Stare and the CHUPACABRA who dwells in your heart and not in your head will vanish. Only a true Alchemist can draw holy blood from a stone and the CHUPACABRA is our opus, our phoenix, our cherub, our child.
Merkin Shinola Red (NM) 2012 Fruit is from Luna Rosa Vineyard in New Mexico 12½% Sangiovese, 12½% Montepulciano, 25% Dolcetto, 25% Refosco, 25% Primitivo This is an interesting blend of five Italian varieties grown in New Mexico. red fruits, plums, and a hint of meatiness to this wine.
The Diddler (AZ) 2011 54% Chenin Blanc 30% Sauvignon Blanc 16% Chardonnay Light-bodied and easy-drinking, aromas of honey and apricots.
Caduceus Anubis (NM) 2011 Of all the red wines we Caduceus, Anubis could be considered one of the more full bodied. The 2011 is 50% Cab Sauvignon, 30% Cab Franc, 20% Petite Syrah from Luna County, New Mexico. Anubis is the god of the underworld who takes you across the river Styx. Roasted raspberries, brulee, smokey herbs, very soft, fine tannins.
PO BOX 1438 TOPANGA CA | 310.455.1287 | www.garberandcompany.com | [email protected]
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Caduceus Nagual Del Marzo (AZ) 2011 55% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Barbera from Yavapai County in Arizona. Named after my Great Grandfather, John "Spirit" Marzo, a winemaker near the border of France and Italy in the Valle Di Susa, prior to World Ward II. This is a man whom I know little about, but whose path and passion I have discovered and resumed. This blend is dedicated to SPIRIT and my passionate Italian blood.
PO BOX 1438 TOPANGA CA | 310.455.1287 | www.garberandcompany.com | [email protected]