Maynard James Keenan Talks Winemaking In CBS Interview [Video]
Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer) was recently the subject of a CBS news piece. Instead of focusing on Keenan’s music, the topic was one that the frontman has been passionate about for a long time — his winemaking career.
Keenan, who has a distinguished past of avoiding media attention and commanding mountains of depth during interviews, seemed uncharacteristically laid back during the news piece, which began with the line, “It seems jarring to think that Maynard James Keenan, loud and raunchy rocker, can also be Maynard James Keenan, up-in-coming winemaker.”
CBS reporter Karen Brown inquired as to why Kennan decided not to use his name in branding the wine. “It wouldn’t be genuine, that wouldn’t feel right,” replied Keenan. “We’re creating art here, it’s not just a commodity, and I can’t know that unless I made it.”
Keenan also shared some of his family’s history in the winemaking business. “This is where I came from,” explains the enigmatic frontman. “My great-grandfather made wine in Northern Italy. So in a way, I’ve found my way back to my roots.”
The news piece acts not only as an interesting story, but a benchmark in how Keenan’s demeanor has changed over two decades when presented with soft, family friendly field reporters. “Here’s the guy that’s had videos pulled off of MTV, that’s now making wine, that’s getting married… growing up?,” asked Brown. Keenan, who was all smiles, responded, “I’d better, I’m 47. [Laughs] I figure I should get it all together by 50.”
Check out CBS’s piece on Maynard James Keenan and his winery in the video below and click here for Puscifer’s upcoming tour dates.