U.S. veteran to open new winery in Cottonwood, Arizona

Maynard James Keenan is best known as the lead singer for the band Tool. Keenan, a veteran of the U.S. Army, is the winemaker and owner of Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards, with 110 acres under vine throughout the state. He will open a new Arizona winery and trattoria on Oct. 6.

Located in Cottonwood, Arizona, and overlooking the Verde Valley, this project is the culmination of 20 years of work by Keenan. The Caduceus Cellars Hilltop Facility & VSC Ventura Room and Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery and Trattoria encompass a new winery and cellar, tasting room, restaurant and retail space, food production greenhouse, gelateria and a vineyard.

The restaurant on the property, The Trattoria, will be run by Chef Chris Smith and have breathtaking views of the Verde Valley. The menu will feature fresh salads, homemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Guests can dine inside or on the patio and it will feature a full bar. The winery will also be visible from the restaurant.

The Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery and Trattoria will be open daily Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more information, visit the winery’s website here.