C.L. Butaud was founded in 2014 by Houstonites, Randy and Brooke Hester. The winery’s namesake is Randy’s great-grandfather, Clet Louis Butaud, aka “Frenchy.” Prior to forming C.L. Butaud, Randy and Brooke spent more than a decade learning winemaking and winery management in Napa and developing their original brand, Lightning Wines. Upon moving back to Texas, Randy quickly developed a reputation as a highly skilled and innovative winemaker. All of C.L. Butaud’s wines are made with minimal intervention practices from 100% Texas-grown grapes. C.L. Butaud’s wines have been recognized by prestigious publications such as Texas Monthly, Austin Monthly, Decanter, and VinePair. Notable awards include a 91-point score for the 2017 Tempranillo by Decanter and a spot in VinePair’s Top 50 Wines of 2021 for the 2019 Desert Willow Mourvèdre.
The Ambiance
The recent opening of C.L. Butaud’s beautiful new tasting room in a former warehouse in the trendy St. Elmo Arts District in far South Austin marks the beginning of a new era in the evolution of this producer of premium Texas wines. St. Elmo is already home to Austin’s original urban winery, The Austin Winery, as well as other well-known libation creators such as Texas Saké Company, Still Austin Whiskey Co., and St. Elmo Brewing Company.
The retro industrial design of the spacious 1,000+ square foot tasting room updated with dark blue walls, tons of original art, sleek well-designed tables, quality glassware, and soothing lighting creates an inviting and relaxing escape from the din of busy, modern Austin–and the intense Texas summer heat. Add fantastic wines, expertly trained staff, and the Hesters’ welcoming and unique take on Texas hospitality, and you have a wine experience like none other. Urban wine oasis is an apt description.
The Wine
C.L. Butaud offers its wine in guided tasting flights, by the glass, or by the bottle. Though not required, reservations are highly recommended for tastings. A “Classic” flight includes a white, a rosé, and two reds, and the “Red” flight is for tastes of four red wines.
Current releases on the Classic tasting menu are:
- 2022 Blanc de Noir: A still white wine made from 100% Mourvèdre (red) grapes. A fresh, yet savory and gently structured unique and complex white wine.
- 2023 Rosato: Hearty old-world style rosé of Counoise, a variety thought to be native to Southern France and often used in Southern Rhône blends. Excellent paired with Texas-sourced charcuterie or on its own.
- 2022 Farmhouse Vineyard Counoise: Single vineyard, varietal Counoise red wine. A light-medium-bodied red whose presence on the palate belies its appearance in the glass. Perfect for a Texas summer BBQ picnic. Also, try pairing it with a Texas Thanksgiving meal.
- 2021 Cease & Desist: Red blend of Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, and Grenache. As satisfying as a sipper as it is as a gastronomical wine.
The all “red” flight includes:
- 2021 Teroldego: 100% Teroldego, a grape indigenous to the Trentino-Alto Adige of Northeast Italy.
- 2022 Pa Pa Frenchy Red: Red blend of Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, and Grenache, an approachable, versatile crowd-pleaser.
- 2021 Tempranillo: 100% Tempranillo from Farmhouse Vineyards, this is the flagship and most highly regarded of C.L. Butaud wines.
- 2021 Cease & Desist: Red blend of Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, and Grenache (see above).
All of the wines offered on the tasting flights are available for purchase by the glass (BTG) or bottle, but the BTG and bottle offerings also include: Farmhouse Vineyards Grenache, Trebbiano, Pa Pa Frenchy White (blend), Ramato Pinot Gris (skin contact white/“orange” wine), and Pa Pa Frenchy Rosé. C.L. Butaud also makes a sparkling Blanc de Noir and a premium single vineyard still Mourvèdre (Desert Willow Vineyard, both of which are available to wine club members only.
The Food
Wine is the main focus here, of course, the experience is enhanced by a selection of gourmet snacks, including truffled potato chips and cheese boards from Austin’s La Bonne Merde. And right outside the tasting front door, the cheerful and charming Muy Yum food truck serves up delicious deli-inspired cuisine with a Latin twist. Here you can pick up food to eat in the tasting room or enjoy at an outdoor picnic table with a glass of your favorite C.L. Butaud wine.
Randy Hester
Wow, what an informative article! The descriptions of the space, the art and especially the wines make me want to go check out this tasting room.
I am sure you will have a great time!