Tasting wine with Maynard James Keenan of Tool in Arizona. Part 1

Tasting wine with Maynard James Keenan of Tool in Arizona. Part 1 – Episode #592

December 8, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk visits Arizona and tapes an episode with one of the most requested guests to appear on the Thunder Show – Maynard James Keenan he also is wowed by the knowledge and passion of winemaker Eric Glomski.

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Comments on this episode(118) Leave a comment ›

“Gary is a bit eccentric, to say the very least, but the guy knows his …” by Joey Venz
“Gary needs to lay off the crack. Everytime Eric or Maynard tried to sp…” by John
View all 118 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Arizona Stronghold “Tazi”
2007 Page Springs Cellars Vino de la Familia Blanca
2007 Page Springs Cellars Landscape

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

118 Responses

December 8, 2008

manonthemoon
Nice
December 8, 2008

Ozzy
Definately one of the biggest names….

Nice to see some other celebs come on.

Tool brings THUNDER….
December 8, 2008

MagnumGourmet
#2…Woo Hoo!!!!!!!
December 8, 2008

catherine.
Oh, it’s the Jets beard! i still say beard, GV
December 8, 2008

David K
TOP THREE?!?
December 8, 2008

wayno da wino
Top 5….YEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAWW !!
December 8, 2008

Rick WebGuy
I’m a HUGE Tool fan!! Maynard is the man, had no idea he was into wine. See you guys in Arizona Bay!
December 8, 2008

Kristen
Wow, how interesting! Excellent…
December 8, 2008

Withnail
Cool – going to catch late tonight
December 8, 2008

David Dickinson
Top 10! Who Hoo!
December 8, 2008

Caleb
When are going to have me on the show. Soon I think. Good seeing you the other night. It is always a blast. Bacon wrapped dates FTW.
December 8, 2008

Kenny Hyder
Maynard in a collared shirt… NICE
December 8, 2008

Clintus
Great wine and so glad it’s local. Thanks for letting me be apart of this Gary.
December 8, 2008

CABDRINKER
Gary, you need to get Sammy Hagar on the Thunder Show instead of these second rate rock stars.
December 8, 2008

Dr T in NC
Interesting show so far, and always glad to see one of the other 46 doing well!
December 8, 2008

Ben Lee
AWESOME show, Gary. I’m a HUGE Tool fan. I’m so happy to see Maynard on the show. ITS ABOUT TIME! Biggest guest EVER! Just for this, I promise to not buy the Jets out from under you.
December 8, 2008

tysoncrosbie
Wow seems so long ago you were here in AZ. That was a great day. Thanks again for inviting me to the taping. Some photos from the day here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tysoncrosbie/sets/72157609625341723/

Enjoy my friend.
December 8, 2008

Nick O'Neill
Awesome show Gary! I watched this all the way through! Great job.
December 8, 2008

Kim@Galavanting
Sweet. Learned a lot.
December 8, 2008

theoddbod
Nice! Gotta try me some Tool wine. Something strikes about Maynard as not being your typical rock star…
December 8, 2008

CR Tisdale
Been a huge fan of Maynard since the Opiate album, been following his career ever since.

I knew about his wine enterprise, and ever since discovering WLTV, I’ve been wondering if you’d ever have him on.

Thanks for this. Very very awesome.
December 8, 2008

JudeMurphy
QOTD- banana
: P
December 8, 2008

sharon
Great guests! Wine nerds are the best. I have a little desert (high desert) community I think could use a vineyard or two. Malbec anyone?
December 8, 2008

F Jackie Martling
Scoring wines in the best circumstances is subjective, but to do it in front of the wine maker is absurd. From KISS came Tool. Rock on!
December 8, 2008

kent
YES!

I’m a huge fan of Maynard, both his music and his wine. I’ve been waiting for this episode for a long time, never thought it would come though. I’m surprised you didn’t link up his Caduceus website, which has Maynard’s very interesting wine journal… so I posted it as my website, so click my name people!
December 8, 2008

Jay Campbell
The color on that second white was incredible. Cool guys.
December 8, 2008

Lisa
Dude! You haven’t been in my inbox for like a month! Did I accidently unsubscribe, or do you no longer find me to be vaniac-worthy? Any-who, glad to see your still around…

Lots of catching up to do now!!
December 8, 2008

Glenn P
People who count off what space they are in the comment line bug the crap out of me. Anyhoo- cool show- I’ll definitely be sampling a lot more from Arizona- can’t wait to see part 2!
December 8, 2008

ex-lurkdawg
good show so far.
thanks
December 8, 2008

Christophe
Awesome show!
December 8, 2008

glenn
dude! Crameresque!!!
December 8, 2008

Neil
QOTD: ?

You know you’re getting old when you don’t recognize a rock star’s name or what band he is/was in.
December 8, 2008

Sharon
OMG you got Maynard from Tool on the Thunder Show. Wow! I own a DVD of their freaky videos. Good for him for getting into winemaking so seriously. The Malvasia does look interesting.
December 8, 2008

Daniel Kemp
I didn’t even know who Maynard James Keenan was until I searched him on Google. I thought he was just a wine maker who was famous for making popular wines. It’s cool that you got a big rock star on Wine Library TV Gary.
December 8, 2008

Derek F.
Very nice guys love the show so far. Gary, the wife (@anna2008) loves your shirt…LOL!!

WOW…did you guys notice…3 BIG ASS WINE GLASSES
December 8, 2008

bill wrollcia
nice show, i never knew MAYNARD was such a tool. nah, great show, keep on getting some heavy hitting guests… my QOTD will be coming tomorrow.
December 8, 2008

Colin Principe
Excellent achievement! Great to hear some love for the Arizona scene.
December 8, 2008

Jay
Neat show and looking forward to part deux!
December 8, 2008

J Crazy
Wicked good times.
December 8, 2008

manonthemoon
Interesting first half, pretty big name, but I don’t think this is the greatest show ever. Hopefully I will be proved wrong tomorrow.

QOTD: A Perfect Circle is better anyway.
December 8, 2008

Patrick SF
Hi Gary, It was such a thrill meeting you at Books Inc on Saturday. Did you get a chance to try the Riesling from Mt Tam Vineyards at the opposite table, how about a shout out for my birthday (12/4) when you get back to Wine Library? If you’re thinking of getting a place in SF, consider the Richmond District where pickles are taken seriously and they’re familiar scents of a Russian neighborhood.

Great show today which makes me look at Arizona differently. Always love a story about wine’s connection with mining history.
December 8, 2008

Jim in Atlanta
Good episode. I don’t remember very good wines when I lived in Arizona. Glad to hear they are making progress. Looking forward to part 2 and QOTD.
December 8, 2008

Nik
Maynard!!!!
THATS INSANE!
December 8, 2008

CC_HTown
Finally! I asked for it a year ago! I am trying to find the episode now, but it was on Ask Gary. I think Gary was a little flustered because on the syrah/PS wine, GV poured his own rinse and not one for Maynard and Eric. Then Gary drank the rinse! Rofl! Its nice to see you get excited, G! Great show and can’t wait until part 2.
December 8, 2008

Zinfreak
Wow! Maynard makes wine?!!! That puts a whole new spin on his song “Sober”!
Definitely in my top 20 favorite songs of all time.

Great show Gary, can’t wait for tomorrow!
December 8, 2008

Dominus
Very surprised by the quality of the wines, esp from Arizona? The labels are very elementary though.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s episode.
December 8, 2008

Rani Haykal
Great Show!!!

This is the show I’ve been waiting for since I first started watching about 550 episodes ago. Tool is my favorite band and I’ve been following Caduceus Cellars for the last two or three years.

Lookin’ forward to Part 2.

-RH
December 8, 2008

Robin C
Fascinating show though never heard of Maynard James Keenan.

Beard’s about where it should be.
December 8, 2008

Matt R
I was actually giddy watching this episode, and I can’t WAIT for the rest tomorrow. Tool has been my favorite band forever, so I guess sharing a show with Maynard makes Gary pretty awesome by proxy (j/k). Maynard’s such a perfectionist in everything else he does, I really want to try these wines. It might just be enough of an excuse for a trip to AZ. (I love Arizona, so it doesn’t take much for me to want to go.)

One slight criticism for Gary, and I mean this with all the love in my heart: STOP TALKING! You’ve got two amazing guests there, and you’re talking over them.
December 8, 2008

Rob Camacho
Another great show Gary! Props for coming out here to AZ.
December 8, 2008

Susan
Gary, LIVE in AZ???? Can’t wait to see it!!!!!!!
December 8, 2008

Chris
Hmmm,

Does it get any better?? Just celebrating the birth of my new baby son, and to top it off, the show I have been hoping would happen for about a year or so, is now a reality!

BTW,

Gedddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are two wine junkies that can and do still rock out from time to time
December 8, 2008

KAHUNA
You said Tool
December 8, 2008

organicmexican
GARY!!! I love you man but you talked way too much over Maynard and Eric. You ask a question and then dont let them finish it. This is a great episode, but please let your guest respond to your questions. We know you were probably way too excited, but hearing what these guys say is half the fun. Kudos for doing a show on wine from Arizona. I will definitely try some next time I see it.
December 8, 2008

Keith
Gary, COOL SHOW! I’m an Arizona Bay native and feeling mighty proud right now. I was at an Arizona wine tasting this weekend (it’s an annual thing in downtown Tempe) and it was the best year yet…didn’t get a clunker in the bunch.
December 8, 2008

deleted theory » Blog Archive » Maynard James Keenan {TOOL} on Wine Library TV
[...] I always have been, and still am a huge tool fan. In fact I just bought undertow on vinyl last week. Interesting that vin means wine in french? Ok, I am reaching for a connection here, nonetheless it is strange to see MJK in a dress shirt talking about wine and the Detroit Lions. Maynard James Keenan on Wine Library TV [...]
December 8, 2008

Chris in Tulsa
OMG! Huge Tool fan! Loved the blog Maynard had on Wine Spectator! You are bringing some HEAVY THUNDER to WLTV Gary!!!!! Can’t wait to check out tomorrows show! Hey Maynard when is another album and tour coming?
December 8, 2008

Keith
Forgot to mention, there is a good article on Maynard’s and Eric’s wines from the Phoenix New Times at
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2008-11-20/news/can-maynard-james-keenan-put-arizona-wine-on-the-map/
December 8, 2008

lawschooldrunk
thank you, gary, for making me more rich- I bet you’d say herbaceous again, and you did!

condolences to you and mott…but my 9ers won
December 8, 2008

David T
AMAZING show! Can’t wait for the rest! I saw the title & my jaw nearly hit the floor. Tomorrow you’ve got to include A Perfect Circle & Puscifier in the title!
December 9, 2008

brorjace
Can’t wait till tomorrow. I love tool and maynard, I did know he was into wine, but I didn’t know he was that into it. Totally rad.
December 9, 2008

Richard Ritter
Ya gotta use the right TOOL for the job Beavis!

PS- You include NY in the top 4 because it is in the top 4.
December 9, 2008

my2cents
This is a great episode. Gary forgot to dump his rinse and tried to put the wine away without pouring for the guests! I had to laugh. It vacation though right so no problem.

This is a wine show I can do without the rock star chatter as to who is or isn’t first rate or second rate, it’s all opinions just like wine.

I am drinking a 05 Zardini Valpolicella Superior tonight and it is very interesting and I like it quite a bit.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s finish.
December 9, 2008

Bored Doe
Great show guys…. I can’t wait to meet these guys, they are signing bottles out here in Vegas tomorrow!
December 9, 2008

Rowland
Yo Gary, stop doubting NY. We are gonna blow that scene up! The Finger Lakes are there, Long Island is there, and we in the Hudson Valley are coming strong.

yo PS, your dominating these guys. they didn’t seem to loosen up till minute 26ish.
December 9, 2008

Kidder
Well it’s about F*ckin’ time!!!!! Thanks Gary!!! Can’t wait to see part 2!!!
December 9, 2008

Ray Barnes
Very good show – nice to see something from off the beaten path. The rock band connection was irrelevant to me. The first thing I noticed on the screen was the artwork, but there was not a word said about it – hope that is rectified in Part 2. Nice wines.

Gary if you ever get to Colorado, I hope you try out the wines there as well.
December 9, 2008

Glen,....winecrazy.com
WOW..!!!!!!!!
December 9, 2008

Benjamin
Amazing… thats all i gotta say
December 9, 2008

Ras1102
Kick Ass Show Gary!
December 9, 2008

Corrado
Damn, dude, I TOLD you MJK would the rock the show! Any who quotes Rowdy Roddy Piper in his winery blog is a **MUST** on The Thunder Show!!!

Thank you for bringing this to us!
December 9, 2008

EP
Nice show, but I have no idea who these guys are. I guess I am not as “cool” as the rest of the folks wathing.
December 9, 2008

LennyR
Holy fuckin shit!!! Maynard!!! Who cares about wine when you got MJK!!!

I am just a worthless liar. I am just an imbecile.
I will only complicate you. trust in me and fall as well…
December 9, 2008

italianwinelover
Very entertaining and interesting show…they just keep getting better and better. Although I’ve never heard of “Tool” or Maynard I’ll take your word that he’s a rock star.

Fascinating that wine is coming from an area you wouldn’t think possible. Its all adventure
December 9, 2008

Phil G
very cool to see the real wine frontier… and these guys seem like fun guys to know. have been a fan of tool fora long time as well.
December 9, 2008

Loweeel
TOTALLY PUMPED ABOUT PS IN AZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 9, 2008

MLDina
We need to get you to Orlando to do a wine tasting with MarketLeverage and IZEA!
December 9, 2008

ErikK
Gary, this was an amazing episode. And as a challenge, to prove that your beyond the hype, I want you to read my blog. If you actually read it please leave a comment. Tell me your thoughts, opinions, on how I can increase readership. And if you don’t well then I know your not really worth the HYPE. Also, my broncos, defeated your Jets. Go Cutler, in all is glorious mediocrity. Peace and much love

koreaintransit.wordpress.com
December 9, 2008

*/^_^\*
allsome
December 9, 2008

Marshall
A Primus reference all right! This show is getting cooler.
December 9, 2008

Tom
Tool rocks — nuff said.
December 9, 2008

The JOB
Thanks for bringing Maynard on WLTV. I have some friends that are big Tool fans and I’ve already emailed them the link to the show. BTW, if you haven’t seen Tool in concert, it’s pretty crazy/awesome.
December 9, 2008

Brú
Awesome show can’t wait to see part two!
I’m a huge Tool, Puscifer & Perfect Circle Fan… I’d love to try some of Maynard’s wine!

Gary any knowledge of being able to get some of these wines up in Canada?
December 9, 2008

Timinspokane
Totally rocking show Gary Veeeeeeeeeee!!!

I don’t know much about TOOL except that they are a really hard, heavy band, but it is cool to see another intelligent, well spoken rocker doing great and unexpected things in the wine biz! Great guests, and it sounds like the wines are nice, too. Keep it up!
December 9, 2008

M
almost time to watch part 2
December 9, 2008

Andrew Cornett
AMAZING! That’s crazy that you got Maynard on WLTV, I’m a HUGE fan. Gary you’re killing it, had a ton of fun @ Fort Mason. Until next time!
December 9, 2008

Rick D
What rockin’ AZ episodes with MJK and Eric. Being a Phoenician its good to see us getting some good wine press. You were right these guys are working the state hard. It just so happens that they are signing bottles at Whole Foods in Chandler tomorrow.

It’s funny that you had these shows since I just sent three bottles of AZ wine to you to feature on a show. None of them were from these guys although I think Eric does some work with Sam Pillsbury who makes one of the wines I sent you.

Really enjoyed the shop and I will check Maynard out tomorrow at Whole Foods.
December 9, 2008

RANDI
GARY!!
We were in AZ the same time! I knew there was a special vibe there!
Great show!
Love those guys…
xo
December 9, 2008

David Dadekian
Thanks, Gary, for another great show. This has been very interesting and educational so far. I’m kind of glad I’m a day late so I don’t have to wait for part 2 now.
December 10, 2008

A dumb Rhine king
Hey Gary. This was a most excellent show!! What a coincidence that I should come back from AZ only to find out that you were there at the same time.

I’ve been out to Page Springs a couple of times and I would have to say that they make some very good wines. I have always been a fan of Maynard’s music and when I found out that he too was interested in and made his own wine, I had to check it out. It was great that Caduceus and his mentor’s project Page Springs didn’t disappoint. I’m excited to experience Caduceus’s first all AZ wine. I admire both of their enthusiasm in bringing AZ wines to the world table.

Keep up the awesome work Gary!
December 10, 2008

Greg
Awesome – I stumbled upon Page Springs winery while camping in the Verde Valley with my son, it’s a totally hidden gem! Great wine, locally produced, and a rock star to throw in…you’d never think this was grown in the wastelands of AZ, I’ve totally had to rethink my opinion of Arizona wines…no more cactus juice!
December 10, 2008

mrs mazzanti
Im new to the whole wine thing and the only reason why i even took an interest was because of Maynard! and i have to say Tazi is awesome and Primer Paso is also wonderfull.anyhow love him have 2 signed bottles! thanks
December 10, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD: GREAT episode, and I know these guys! I’ve served Maynard twice at my restaurant in LA, the second time was with Eric after they did an event at Whole Foods down the street to release their wines. I had them try a few things from my list that they had NEVER had before, including an Australian Verdelho and a dry Douro red. I blind tasted them on the Douro red and they were STUNNED! I only wish that I knew you had pre-taped an episode with them ’cause I would have mentioned how long I’ve been a Vayniac! Cheers.
December 10, 2008

CaseyLee
rev.. maynard! wtf thats awsome ! : D: D:D
December 10, 2008

CaseyLee
TOOL ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
December 10, 2008

DWickland
Great show Gary, loved every minute of it. Especially, how you keep it interesting and energetic.

So dude, what is up with our J-E-T-S? The lord giveth and then kicks ya in the nuts. It’s not over yet, but it’s darn close. Ahh! Gang Green strikes again.

Thanks for making wine fun!
December 10, 2008

Garrett
I grew up worshiping maynard. He is a responsible for a large part of my creativity and curiosity. It was extremely neat to seem him in a situation that is, essentially, exactly opposite to his usual public persona.

thanks Gary!
December 10, 2008

Kevin K
and…on to part 2.
December 10, 2008

Carly L
Yay! Part 2, coming right up (hope Maynard talks more ).
December 10, 2008

Ninja
Normally, I could care less about wine or wine tasting. What I do care about is Maynard. I will buy his wine, not drink them and pass them on to my kids. The story about his grandfather doing the same thing is remarkable
December 11, 2008

MattUD
Good stuff, part 2 to be watched soon.
December 11, 2008

Jay
Hey Gary,

You need to lay off the caffeine and let your guests talk for more then 5 seconds before you leap in and all over what they are trying to say.

If you need hints on how to give good interviews, take a look at someone like George Stroumboulopoulos and how he interacts with his guests.
December 11, 2008

pawncop
Great episode looking forward to part 2.
December 11, 2008

Murso
Thanks Eric and Maynard(Yoo too, GV!). We’ve heard talk of your wines for a coupla years now, and good to see the projects spoken for in person.

Thanks for patience w/ Gary. While he may be a sports fanatic, he, apparently, knows not of the music world. Psssshhhh…. Vince Neil…Whatta douche. (like 99.9% of all of them hairband crossdressing femmes.) Vince Neil killed a person, driving drunk, and battered a whore at the brothel where he spends his money. Him having anything to do with a winery is as sensible as me getting money from the bank or auto bailout. Hair music is as brainless as its purveyors, and their apparent pursuits.

GV – Malvasia, like numerous other minor players, is probably better left as a blending component. While Wild Horse, and others have successfully demonstrated a functional ability of the grape, in the over twenty years that I’ve been watching/tasting, it has overwhelmingly been employed as a fragrance and flavor enhancer in very small proportions, – think Boony Doon, or the old Conundrum. Frascati is a great example of it’s use in Italy,(with Trebbiano). Madeira is another great, but understated use.

Guys, I don’t wish to slag your beautiful little niche product – which I’ll bet is delicious, and will sell out in a second, annually, but GV often pretends to himself that every little grape ‘discovery’ out there can be the next commercial gigantic success, and they can’t, and there’s usually a historical reason that has precluded that.
December 12, 2008

DanM
Love Jerome, AZ. Been there many times since I was a kid and my dad (his name is Jerome) HAD to go seek out this town.

Did lots of brake testing for automotive up and down the hill too!

Keep it coming and hope to find these wines here in Wisconsin in the future.
December 13, 2008

glen macewen
mother puncher
December 13, 2008

stand in the place
another great review by gary as usual. thanks man!
December 16, 2008

blush
is Gary on speed or something ? ahahah
December 17, 2008

Andrew D
Fantastic show, thanks guys.

I tried to watch this about six times, have been having major computer problems, so really glad I finally got to see the end.

Cheers
Andrew
December 21, 2008

Dan-o
Good show. The guest seemed pretty cool and laid back. I di notice when you said “addicted to acid” that the 2 guests made eye contact and seemed to be smirking – I wonder if they enjoy a little Uncle Sidney while they grow vines in AZ.
Liked your reference to Elyse, one of the best winemakers that does not have much of a following.
December 31, 2008

Laura
This would have been a really interesting interview if Gary could just stop talking for more than 5 seconds!!! I don’t think I can bear to watch part 2…
January 12, 2009

yowens
Having fun w part one, looking forward to part two…
January 14, 2009

Nicolas (Aurelius) Mitchell
Sweet… Maynard named his “unknown” grapes after the woman “Aurelia”. Aurelius is my middle name (literally).
January 30, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Great show so far…. reserving all my comments ( aside from that first one ) until the end of part 2.
March 1, 2009

politian
This is utter tripe, mixed with horseshit, on white rice.
March 1, 2009

Nathan
Who? I’m old and bald and think too highly of myself.
April 14, 2009

John
Gary needs to lay off the crack. Everytime Eric or Maynard tried to speak, he would cut them off or try to finish their sentences. I was particularly interested in hearing from Eric. He happens to be a cousin of mine, and my stumbling upon this video was a huge and very strange coincidence. I had no idea he has been making wine with the front man of one of my favorite bands. I remember seeing bottles of wine at my father’s place that were labeled similarly to the duct taped ones in the second half of the “interview”. I heard Eric was making wine, but thought it was just a hobby. I’m glad to see him doing well!
April 15, 2009

Joey Venz
Gary is a bit eccentric, to say the very least, but the guy knows his wine! Maynard and his surfer, type, Pompous, arrogant partner did a good job on the show! God bless them all! Although, the bottom line is that I watched this because of Maynard, or should I say, James. Anyway, good show, major thank you! Now I’m going to pour the wine that I decantered before the show, and listen to some”TOOL”!