“Blood Into Wine” is a documentary that has the power to unite, bringing together wine affectionados and Tool fans. The flick is screening at select theatres across the U.S. through May.
The documentary examines how Maynard James Keenan – the frontman for Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle – and his vineyard partner Eric Glomski are making a mark on Northern Arizona’s wine industry with Merkin Vineyards and its accompanying Caduceus Cellars winery.
A 2006 San Francisco Chronicle story pointed out that Keenan scheduled tours and records based around important timeframes for the winery.
"The guys know that I've gotta be in Arizona for the harvesting and processing, and then I'll need to be back there again for the bottling. We'll be working our touring schedule around it," he said.
A number of wines, including 2006’s Anubis and 2008’s Nagual del Judith (which was named after Kennan’s mother), are available to order through Caduceus’s Web site. The cellar and tasting room is located in Jerome, Ariz.
“Blood Into Wine” was co-directed by Ryan Page and Christopher Pomerenke, the team behind documentaries “Moog” and “The Heart Is a Drum Machine.” In addition to interviews with Keenan and Glomski, the film also features appearances by actors and comedians including Milla Jovovich, Patton Oswalt, Eric Wareheim, Tim Heidecker and Bob Odenkirk.
FilmCritic.com describes the film as “a rock ‘n’ roll version of ‘Sideways.’”
The Los Angeles Times raves that, “The frisson between his [Keenan] well-crafted personal mystique and the way the film presents him as a dedicated new winemaker learning his craft is intriguing.”
The San Diego CityBeat added that, “It’s a behind-the-curtain peek at a notoriously publicity-shy celebrity, but more than that, it’s a fascinating look at pioneers braving the Arizona elements to create drinkable art."
The film hit select theatres in Tempe, Ariz.; Orlando, Fla.; Chicago; Eugene, Ore.; and State College, Pa.; late last week. “Blood Into Wine” is also being show in on select dates in April and May in theatres including Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz, Calif. (April 1), Mariemont Theatre in Cincinnati (April 23-29), Arlington Drafthouse in Washington, D.C. (April 22) and the Burton Theatre in Detroit (April 2-4).
Click here to check out Caduceus Cellars’ Web site.
Click here for the Web site for “Blood Into Wine.”