Tool frontman in town to push wines

Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer and co-founder of the rock bands Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, will visit Whole Foods Market in Petaluma from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Feb. 18 to sign bottles from his wineries in Arizona.

Arizona winemaker Eric Glomski, Keenan’s business partner, will be with him at Whole Foods. The duo’s wineries are Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards and Arizona Stronghold.

Keenan, who began his Caduceus Cellars in 2004 and unveiled his first three wines in the spring of 2006, says he would rather spend time with wine enthusiasts than rock fans. “Generally speaking, the people that are into wine are generally adults and respect people’s space, and it’s not about the person who made it, it’s about the wine,” he said in an interview with The Pulse of Radio. “So there’s definitely a calmer admiration that goes on in those circles.”

Tickets are available at the market starting at 8 a.m and are free, but a wine purchase (with receipt) is required to meet Keenan. Participants must be 21 years of age or accompanied by an adult. The following are not allowed: cameras, large bags, coats and photography.

Tool fans might be advised not to try to engage Keenan in wine talk unless they're knowledgeable. "I was trying to explain to some of the kids about what temperature to drink the Tazi at and it was like showing card tricks to dogs," he told the Yuma Sun after a tasting in Phoenix.