Download Caduceus Cellar Merkin Vineyards

 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]
Caduceus Cellars |Merkin Vineyards (continued)
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]
Caduceus Cellars |Merkin Vineyards (continued)
Wine
Blend
Merkin Chupacabra Blanca
(NM) 2012
26% Gewurz
26% Sav Bl
20% Riesling
14% Chard
11% Chen Bl
3% Malvasia
Blanca
Merkin Chupacabra Red
(NM) 2012
50% Syrah
20% Cab
16% Cab Fr
14% Pet Sirah
Merkin Shinola Red (NM)
2012
25%
Dolcetto,
25%
Primitivo,
25% Refosco,
12.5%
Sangiovese
12.5%
Vine Age
Soil Type
Vineyard
Area
Montepulciano
The Diddler (AZ) 2011
54% Chen Bl
30% Sav Bl
16% Chard
Caduceus Anubis (NM)
2011
50% Cabernet
Sauvignon,
35% Cabernet
Franc, 10%
Barbera
Caduceus Nagual Del
Marzo (AZ) 2011
55%
Sangiovese,
35% Cabernet
Sauvignon,
10% Barbera
PO BOX 1438 TOPANGA CA | 310.455.1287 | www.garberandcompany.com | [email protected]
Caduceus Cellars |Merkin Vineyards (continued)
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 midpalate, 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]
Caduceus Cellars |Merkin Vineyards (continued)
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]