In this episode we had the pleasure of speaking with Michael McClendon of Sage’s Vintage. We speak to Michael about:
- Everything Texas Wine!
- The science of wine
- Supporting Community
- Sage’s Vintage
- And so much more………….
Michael’s Bio
Hailing from rural East Texas from the Prairie Creek community, Michael C. McClendon attended The University of Texas at Tyler as a Faulconer Scholar. After joining the Kiepersol Enterprises as a laboratory intern in 2008, he quickly rose to lead the wine production team. McClendon had the opportunity to learn from industry professionals such as the late Ken Fuglesang and Lisa Van de Water. In 2010 McClendon toured the Maipo, Colchagua, and Clos Apalta valleys in Chile to aid in the continuation of the artisanal winemaking style being cultivated in Texas. Recently Michael led the winery to Top Texas Winery at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Uncorked Wine Competition. In 2014 Michael worked a harvest season as a consultant enologist for Pacific Rim Enology Services in Marlborough, New Zealand. There he lived terroir and understood better how to use his skills in the laboratory. While wine writer and author of The Wine Slinger Chronicles Dr. Russ Kane recently named Michael as a Young Turk of Texas Wine, McClendon believes that the winemakers in Texas are all innovative and breaking away from traditional constraints with thoughts of wine producing regions and styles. He has grown to become more involved in the East Texas wine community as a board member for the Piney Woods Wine Trail, as well as in starting a custom crush facility to better serve the burgeoning Texas wine industry. In 2017 Michael partnered with a former grower to start Sages Vintage where they help new and established wineries with everything from special processes to complete wine production from grape to bottle. The wines being produced there are still bringing in gold medals and class championships. Michael enjoys being active in the community serving on a number of boards and advisory committees. Socially he enjoys being with his friends and family, and working out.
The Last Sip: When you finish your day and sit down with your favorite glass of wine, what is on your music playlist? UGK, Switcher House, Slim Thug, Scarface
For more information:
Social Media:
Facebook – @michaelmcclendon
@sagesvintage
Twitter: @TheMcClendon
Email: sagesvintage@gmail.com
Resources:
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