Eric Beyer reveals Old Vine Texas offers 100% Texas wines and live music in Mansfield.
This episode features hosts Will and Robert interviewing Michael McClendon and Wes Jensen from Sage Vintage Crush, a Texas wine production facility. The conversation centers on the operations and philosophy of their custom crush business, which serves multiple Texas wineries. The hosts and guests sample several wines during the recording.
Michael and Wes explain that Sage Vintage Crush provides winemaking equipment and services for client winemakers who bring their own grapes. They detail the facility's capacity, stating it can process about 250 tons of fruit per vintage. The business model allows winemakers to avoid the capital expense of building their own winery.
A specific wine tasted is the 2022 Malbec from the Texas High Plains, which the guests brought for sampling. The discussion covers the practical challenges of sourcing quality Texas grapes, including varietal selection and vineyard relationships. They emphasize the importance of "fruit sourcing" as a critical first step for their clients' wine quality.
An interesting insight is that their facility enables a collaborative environment where winemakers can share knowledge and resources. The guests express a strong belief in the potential of Texas wine, focusing on the region's unique terroir. They argue that the future of Texas wine relies on consistent quality from grape to bottle.
The tone is casual and conversational, with frequent humor and the sound of wine being poured and enjoyed. The style is interview-based, with hosts prompting the guests to explain their business and share their experiences.
This episode would appeal to Texas wine enthusiasts and anyone interested in the business and logistical side of small-scale winemaking. Listeners seeking a highly structured, technical deep-dive into viticulture might find the relaxed format less engaging.
