Scott sits down with co-founders *Michael McClendon* ("The Oracle") and *Wes Jensen* to break down what custom crush really means and how they help boutique brands and wineries thrive without needing multi-million-dollar production facilities of their own.
In this episode, they discuss:
-*The Custom Crush Model:* How Sage's Vintage offers manufacturing infrastructure, laboratory oversight, and expert winemaking to Texas producers.
-*Humble Beginnings:* Starting out in a dilapidated dairy barn in 2017 to expanding into a full-scale efficiency facility.
-*Winemaking Philosophy:* Why wine is an evolving "Rubik's Cube" requiring daily choices rather than a set recipe.
-*Managing Texas Fruit:* Navigating extreme vintage variation, logistics across four Texas grape-growing regions, and building custom flavor profiles.
-*Looking to the Future:* The annual Sage’s Symposium, developing specialized sparkling wine programs, and their own front-facing Lanana label.
(Note: Due to a hard drive crash prior to editing, the video portion cuts off midway through the interview, but full audio continues uninterrupted!)
Timestamps
00:00 Texas Wine Lover App & Sponsor Spot
02:50 Texas Wine Auction Historic Success
03:25 Welcome to Bonus Episode 11: Sage's Vintage Introduction
05:10 Upcoming Texas Wine Events (Fredericksburg Food & Wine, TWGA)
07:20 Introducing Michael McClendon & Wes Jensen
08:35 What is a Custom Crush Facility?
11:22 Michael & Wes's Backgrounds in Viticulture & Farming
15:30 From an Old Dairy Barn to a Full Custom Crush Facility
20:18 How Custom Crush Serves the Texas Wine Industry
25:22 Winemaking as a Feel, Not a Recipe
28:15 Fruit Logistics Across 4 Texas Grape-Growing Regions
30:40 Expanding Efficiency and Laboratory Facilities
35:35 Working Behind the Scenes for Award-Winning Brands
39:45 Sage's Vintage Front-Facing Brand: Lanana
41:38 Managing Vintage Variation & Harvest Demands
46:40 Reverse Engineering Wine Profiles for Clients
50:40 The Multi-Varietal Advantage of Custom Crush Winemaking
58:00 The Sage's Symposium & Educational Outreach
01:07:00 Industry Trends: Direct-to-Consumer & Regional Rivalries
01:10:38 Future Plans: Sparkling Programs & Facility Growth
01:13:48 Advice for Aspiring Wine Producers
01:18:28 Pulling Back the Curtain for the Texas Wine Consumer
01:34:00 Wine Wanderer Bottle Reveal
01:36:00 Closing Thoughts, YouTube Prompt & How to Support