Wine tasting, documentary screening, hors d'oeuvres 6/17

Art of the Table and Electric Cheetah / Eel, along with Community Media Center's Wealthy Theatre, are presenting the Grand Rapids premiere of the winemaking documentary, "Blood Into Wine," June 7.  More information about the event (including ticket info) available here. 

This one-time-only screening includes two different ticketing options: movie plus tasting, or movie without tasting.  Pricing information available at the Wealthy Theatre event listing.

The wine tasting (doors 6:00 p.m.) will feature food from the Electric Cheetah and the Electric Eel, and wine samples (varietals featured in the movie) explained by Art of the Table and representatives from distributor Wines of Distinction.  Beer, wine and liquor will be available at a cash bar during the entire event, which is available to all attendees (tasting or not). 

"Blood Into Wine" features Grand Rapids native Maynard James Keenan, internationally known as the front man for Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, is one of music's most mysterious figures. He bolted from Los Angeles just as his band became successful, leaving behind a potentially lavish lifestyle for the craggy rocks of Northern Arizona, settling into an area of 300 residents and a rumored ghost town. 

Keenan's mission: to develop a world class wine region in the Verde Vally.  

With wine mentor Eric Glomski, Keenan began the long journy to bringing credibility and notoriety to Caduceus and Arizona Stronghold Vineyards amidst wine industry prejudice and the harsh Arizona terrain. Blood into Wine brings that story to the big screen.

"Blood Into Wine" gives unprecedented insight into Maynard’s world and his motivations for taking on the arduous task of bringing winemaking to the region’s unforgiving landscape and how winemaking fits into his creative trajectory.  The film is Co-Directed by Ryan Page and Christopher Pomerenke (the filmmakers behind critically acclaimed documentaries Moog and The Heart Is A Drum Machine).  

The June 17 tasting/screening event at Wealthy Theatre ("Blood Into Wine") puts a spotlight on local businesses that have established themselves in the "rocky soil" that was once Wealthy Street - Art of the Table and Electric Cheetah both were established before the present renaissance on Wealthy, and each has contributed to the current positive turnaround in the business district.  Moreover, each of these businesses places a priority on using local and non-corporate ingredients in their retail operations, whenever possible.  The June 17 tasting/screening is a celebration of sustainability, and a reminder of the value of innovation. 

The film starts from the beginning with Keenan planting his own grapes. He explains his philosophy is, "Trust your intuition, but then find a technician to make it work." In pursuing his vision, he has partnered with professionals in all phases of wine production in order to make his product just as successful as his music.  "Blood into Wine" addresses the pretension of wine consumption, including having two phony talk show buffoons interview Keenan at the beginning of the film.

Doors open for the tasting at 6:00 p.m., and the movie starts at 7:30.  Ticket prices can be found at the Community Media Center website.  Doors open for the "movie only (no tasting) option at 7:00 p.m.