BEST OF BUSINESS WINNERS p. 30
INSIDE THE FEBRUARY 2021 ISSUE: Makerspace Nurtures Creativity p. 3 Hackers Getting More Aggressive p. 4 Going Solar Together p. 6
Saving for Education p. 8 Turning Rolls into Dough p. 10 Community Profile: Gabe Ontiveros Providing the Royal Treatment p. 19
Wine Tasting Like a Rock Star Tool front man and winemaker Maynard James Keenan invites guests to enjoy Verde Valley homegrown goodness By Brent Ruffner, FBN
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ant to experience the definition of homegrown? Cottonwood’s Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria could be your answer. The restaurant, which opened in 2016, offers its customers an alluring experience, where everything from
the pasta to the wine is made in the Verde Valley. The restaurant is located at 1001 N. Main Street, Cottonwood. Merkin Vineyards is a division of Caduceus Cellars, touted as a small, family-owned operation. Both the business and restaurant have sprouted nicely since the first grapevines were planted. Caduceus Cellars is owned by
winemaker Maynard James Keenan, a Grammy award-winning artist and the lead singer of three bands – Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle. The Arizona brand has produced wines that have won national and international awards. The customers “get an immersive experience,” Keenan said, “one hundred percent Arizona wines paired with Arizona produce and housemade pastas, breads and gelato. Our ducks provide the eggs for our pastas and quiche. Our greenhouses, gardens and orchards provide a
significant amount of produce for our menu.” Keenan moved to Jerome in 1995, where he owns two tasting rooms and a record store. His other tasting room is located in Old Town Scottsdale. He and others help farm 110 acres in Willcox and the Verde Valley combined – a key factor in making the wine unique. “We grow our own fruit, which, in our opinion, makes a significant difference in the final result,” he said. National Sales Director Calvin Continued on page 35
Making a Business of Snow Play Flagstaff Snow Park marks five years at Fort Tuthill By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
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Flagstaff Snow Park’s Jonathan Allen says the business needed snowmaking capabilities to be sustainable. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney Fresh Focuses Photography
February 2021 | Issue 2 Volume 14
etween bouts of laughter and the swish of snow tubes cruising down powder-packed slopes, comments such as “best day ever” can be heard at Flagstaff Snow Park. On the hills at Fort Tuthill, Flagstaff Snow Park is in its fifth season of winter fun, with snowmaking, food trucks, fire pits and a crew of friendly and helpful employees. “Last year was our first full season with snowmaking,” said Flagstaff Snow Park primary owner Jonathan Allen. “It was a great season, we had about
60,000 people. This year, we’re dealing with COVID and running at a reduced capacity to limit contact and let people spread out better, but attendance is great.” Also in response to COVID-19, tickets are sold online and guests’ temperatures are taken before they can enter the park. “It is so much fun and my kids have a blast,” said local mom and Simply Country Boutique owner, Krista Randall, “especially in a dry winter when we have no snow. It’s great to get out and go tubing with the kids. Even my mother-in-law had a great time, and for the many hours you can spend out there, the price is great.” Open on holidays, weekends and some evenings, the snow park has six tubing runs and a
designated kiddie hill, as well as a “passive” area where visitors can sit and relax and view the action. Snow tubes are provided. “We don’t advertise, but we’re always at capacity,” said co-owner and Flagstaff Firefighter Josh Crane. “The first couple of years, we had mostly Phoenix visitors, but we’re now seeing more locals.” The staff at Flagstaff Snow Park tops off at 40. “On a daily basis, we employ about 20. We cycle through them,” said Allen. “We hire mostly high school and Northern Arizona University [NAU] students.” “Working here is super fun,” said NAU student Dana Parker. “Last year, we had a lot of crazy sold-out days. It’s a great job.” The inspiration for Flagstaff Snow Park was spurred by Allen Continued on page 33
