Blood Into Wine

When I read the synopsis I almost rolled my eyes, thinking the premise sounded hoaky. But I remembered how awesome Maynard was, the lead for Tool and other bands.

So I did addition: Maynard + Wine = The was relatively low budget movie, but you couldn't tell at all. It was well made and well conceived. I tell you the show stealer was not Maynard but his partner in the wine business, Eric. Eric was a geologist and you can feel his enthusiasm for all things that grow. Listening to him made me inspired about the technical aspects of making wine, geographic location, etc.

Maynard inspired me on why 'he' or 'one' should make wine. It is about the journey within yourself, so basically there was a duel message in the film that I thought was a perfect message.

This movie was also quite funny and I won't give any of that away. So for an hour and a half I was totally entertained and felt inspired to drink wine, specifically wine from Arizona.

I gave it an 8 because nothing gets a 10 unless with very few exceptions.

The concept of a documentary based around the entrepreneurial ventures of a rock star may not be to everyone's palate, one only has to think of the excited anticipation which 'Salmon Farming with Roger Daltrey!' or 'Cheese Making with the floppy haired posh boy who used to be in Blur' would arouse to confirm such a fact.

'Blood Into Wine' is about Maynard James Keenan (frontman with Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer); well to be more precise, it's about his vineyard in Arizona. A place where he has been toiling for over a decade to produce a unique and remarkable range of wines. This is a project in which he has partnered with Eric Glomski, an exceptionally affable and knowledgeable expert in the field of challenging cultivation.

The documentary very soon focuses less about the man and more about his endeavour and becomes something altogether more fascinating than your average 'rock star' feature. Keenan is an interesting individual and his musical exploits are attested to by a barrage of talking heads, but the real interest lies in the meticulous and challenging procedure by which wine is conceived, grown and processed.

The location of Arizona is one which baffles most wine critics, yet upon inspection, the volcanic residue and limestone rich soil evokes a similar planting ground as that of southern Sicily. Different critics and writers are used throughout the film and each brings their own particular observations of the wine industry and the pretensions that exist around it.

It will probably be a bit of a let-down for anyone who is seeking a documentary about Tool, but Puscifer get a bit of screen time, including a brief conversation with sometimes vocalist Milla Jovovich. It would be best to approach this with an open mind and an open bottle.

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Many years ago as a young Arizona teen, I passed through Jerome, Arizona. It was a ghost town in the 90s, and little did I know one of my favorite rock performers was galavanting around, manifesting the idea of making wine amidst the ruin of an old copper mining settlement.

Many years later, I moved to the Verde Valley for work purposes, and after rewatching this documentary it's amazing to see the differences. The original hill that homes the Merkin Vineyard has a state of the art tasting room at the top. People have moved and lived in Jerome for years, along with the adjoining town Clarkdale becoming a hot spot for new homes, breweries and wine tasting. Old Downtown Cottonwood is a haven for wine tasting and delicious food. Heck, even Cornville, which is more known for cattle, has gotten into the game. And now Maynard James Keenan is getting into coffee making (which is delicious by the way).

Having had Caduceus and Arizona Stronghold wines, it was interesting to rewatch this documentary and see how such a whimsical passion has become such a serious pursuit. Having lived in Arizona and seeing the growth of the wine and beer industry, I'm not shocked by the idea that a state like Arizona, which has a unique topography, wouldn't be home to wine making. While the Verde Valley in the north and Wilcox and Sonoita to the south make an impression, this film was really just made to dispel the idea that these dusty towns in Northern Arizona offer more than hiking trails.

While many of the longtime locals hate the changes, it's obviously brought quite a renewal. People from around the country come to Cottonwood (which is down the hill from Jerome and a stone's throw from Page Springs) to check out not only Sedona, but the wine world that has been created here. While it may never become as big as Napa or Italy or France, it presents a different side of the industry while also presenting tons of outdoor beauty mixed with old west history.

I feel the two central figures to the story, Eric Glomski and Maynard James Keenan, are much like the old pioneers of the 1800s. They found something strange and beautiful and through a lot of hard work and passion, developed a special identity for this region. While many still see Keenan as a bit of control freak and difficult to work with, it's those roots that are needed to create something that will last long term. Check out the Verde Valley for yourself. Tons of great hiking in the day and plenty of wining and dining at night. And no I don't work in the wine industry here, I just sell paint. But at least I can appreciate dedication.

What we have here is... quite simply; an exploration of two unique minds with very unique approaches towards life and all passions accessible within said life. I will not go on and on about how this film affected me or made me feel... It wouldn't do it any justice. Because just like the premise of the film... it is what it means to YOU... It is how it made YOU feel... I will say on my behalf that it was a genuine motivator in wanting to create and establish meaning to the earth; we as it's keepers treading and roaming it's soil and countless acres... You do not have to be wine fanatics; let alone Maynard fanatics (which is never a problem), to enjoy the sweetness this film offers. Of course it is punctuated by bits of humor that feels quite Maynard-ish, but the overall message is felt strongly.... Take an hour and a half... enjoy it...

I didn't have high expectations for this documentary; I thought it would be another flat story about a superstar's life and winemaking, but it pleasantly surprised me. Blood into Wine is an authentic, visually and musically captivating documentary that stands out for its quality and originality. Beyond being entertaining, it successfully conveys Maynard James Keenan's unique perspective, showcasing his commitment to staying true to himself in every project, whether it's his music or his wine. This honest and passionate approach makes it an inspiring piece that transcends the documentary genre.