CALAIS Winery

Calais Winery is the Sleeper of wineries. We are glad we made Calais our first ever wine tasting in Texas Hill Country. Excellent experience! Tremedous red wines! Wine making is the main priority and it shows. Benjamin Calais is talanted, likeable and humble. Our case of Allocation wines arrived this week and we are excited to enjoy them.

Calais Winery is hands-down the best in Texas! As an Aussie wine lover, I was blown away—the wines are absolutely exceptional. The French winemaker is not only incredibly talented but also genuinely passionate, and he spent time chatting with us during the tasting. The host was equally fantastic—so friendly and welcoming. Amazing wines, great tasting experience—an absolute must-visit!

I’m a huge wine snob, but also a life long Texan. Calais is the first winery that I tasted Cab Sauv at that held up to Napa. Most other Texas Cab Sauv feels very watered down and too fruit forward. Not Ben’s wine. Take the time and do the Cab Sauv experience tasting, you won’t be disappointed. We took home a case at the end and are already drinking a bottle at home and have zero remorse! Don’t sleep on this great winery!

In September 2024, a modest yet remarkable boutique winery can be found just off Highway 290 in Hye, Texas. This establishment specializes in crafting exceptional wines exclusively from Texas-grown grapes. Upon arrival, visitors should pay close attention to locate the tasting room, which is discreetly situated within a "cave" on the property. The owner of this charming winery, Ben, meticulously produces and crafts the wines in the esteemed French style. If you happen to be in Fredericksburg, Texas, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment for a wine tasting experience. Gina, Ben's longest-standing and dedicated associate, possesses extensive knowledge and is more than willing to assist you during your visit.

Great Winery! This place is solid and the winemaker is very legit. It's underground, very intimate, and they make great quality wine. It is one of the better wineries in Fredericksburg, in my opinion. Definitely recommend coming here! Make a reservation.

Did the cave tasting with my GF. Great experience overall and some of the best wines in Texas. The ONE minor, and its a very minor nit is I wished they had offered us water between tastings. That would have made it 100/100. As it is, our experience was 95/100

Reservation required! There are no walk in opportunities or extra place to wait. It is very unassuming but is the best wine in area hands down. It’s a very intimate space. They are nice, no nonsense, incredibly knowledgeable, and friendly. All of the wines we tried were absolutely incredible. The merlot was our favorite. I highly suggest you go for a tasting here!

By far the most unique and educational experience we have had at a Texas Winery. Very lacking in atmosphere sadly. If you don't know what to look for, which is an opening to what looks like an underground garage, you will drive right by it. Wine was very good though! If you are looking for a small intimate, educational tasting, thus is your spot.

Amazing experience! Some of the best wine I've ever had. Learned a lot during the tasting about the history of the winery and the wine making process. Would absolutely go back and buy more bottles!

This is a hidden gem on 290. Calais is in a very discreet location with very little (if any) fanfare. There is very limited capacity for wine tastings, so it is highly advised to make a reservation. For the wine tasting, you are standing in the "cave" which creates an intimate setting. However, the cave doesn't muffle any sounds. We had another group at the same tasting who were talking loudly, so we had intermittently had a difficult time hearing the explanations of the wines. Gina did an amazing job presenting the wines. You can feel the passion she has for the wine and the wine making process. She is very knowledgeable and it's so cool how she plays a role in the actual process. She made the tasting truly unique and was such a delight. Their specialty is Bordeaux. I really haven't experienced too many of this type of wine, but really enjoyed it. The wines are bold with very distinct fragrances. My favorite was the 2019 TX RD, but all were amazing. You can tell Calais specializes in high quality wine and only provides the best! I highly recommend booking a reservation for a tasting!

An absolute gem! Fredericksburg is a cute little wine region about an hour west of Austin. After extensive research, our group narrowed it down to three wineries and this was our absolute favorite. The cave tasting at Calais is even better than experiences I've had in OR and CA. Mary is nothing short of an expert with incredible passion towards the brand. We were educated, and enlightened by the experience. Each tasting was extraordinary. We even paired French wine with homemade French bread. The cave style tasting is also great for photos for those celebrating anything special our group of five loved this experience and absolutely recommend to anyone visiting this city. Just be aware getting Ubers in this area is extremely difficult so coordinate a driver or taxi in advance.

We booked our reservation for a cave tasting and were very pleasantly surprised. It isn't a cave, but a building in the side of a hill. It's very nondescript and easy to miss. You see the French flag on the road and park in the dirt in front of the building. We were greeted by Ben, and received a wonderful education and tasting experience. The care and hands on approach to the grape vines was amazing to hear. His passion for the grapes is very apparent. My favorites were the 2021 Semillion and the 2018 TX RD. My husbands favorite was the 2019 Cuvee de L'Exposition. Great wines. We will definitely be back. Thank you Ben!!

So as I am from California, I have generally not been impressed with Texas wine. This winery changed all that. They have wonderfully great wines that compare directly to some of the best wines in California. There unique flavor really sets this winemaker apart from all others I have tried. The only reason that I gave this a 4 was the initial reception that my colleague and I received when we simply showed up for a tasting. Apparently they prefer scheduled tastings so I highly recommend that. However, we were accommodated and treated very well during our time there. I recommend Calais as probably the best winery in the state of Texas.

Very good winery in a nondescript tasting room that you might miss if you aren't looking. They serve some nice bold reds which are exactly what my wife and I enjoy. We ended up leaving with a case of wine. The host was very knowledgeable without being pretentious and did a great job educating us while we tasted. Worth trying if you are in the area. Note you need a reservation to taste so make one and outside of tasting you can only buy if you have allocation (you need to purchase at least a case every year).

Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Best wine in the area at the best price. The owner is French and shares his passion with his guests.

Calais is probably the best wine in Hill country. Not sure I want to spread this around since it's nice to find these hidden secrets. First time we went, I thought we were on the wrong private property and were going to get chased off since the tasting is in a underground storage where the wines are kept. We recently did a tasting a Bryan's on 290 due to covid restrictions. I didn't realize it was Ben serving us our tastings since we hadn't met him the other time and he's basically our age. I can't believe someone so young can make such great wines but he spent a substantial time in France. I do miss his homemade bread!! But that wouldn't change my review it would just make it better. The wines are a little pricy but worth the money!!!!

By far the best wine I have had in the hill country. We happened upon this place when went tasting. There's no sign announcing them. Just a French flag and a bunker type building. When we arrived, we found out we needed reservations for tastings, but the lady was nice enough to squeeze us in. That was the best thing that could have happened to us For $15, we felt like we got a deal. The wines are exceptional. The 2015 cabernet was by far our favorite. We even took a bottle home. The grapes are grown in north Texas where the weather is a little cooler. We learned a lot while there and can't wait to return.

They're the best red wine makers in Texas PERIOD! This isn't traditional water down wines. Calais can hang with any top tier wine maker out there. Totally worth visiting. And make sure you make this your first stop to truly appreciate the taste on a sober palate.

This was such a wonderful recommendation! My husband and I were told to visit this winery built by Mr. Calais. The staff was incredibly informative and passionate! If you are visiting Texas Wine Country, I highly recommend you book a reservation at this remarkable winery that brings the French Bourdeaux wine making process to Texas with Texas grown grapes.

If I could give Ben's wine 20 stars I would! You just cannot leave this area without trying Ben's latest and greatest! Some of the best French wine available in Texas no doubt. If you enjoy great balance of tannin this is your place! Be sure to make a reservation!

We went to Calais over the weekend. I honestly feel that this is one of the most unwelcoming wineries that I encountered in Fredericksburg. We had a reservation for over 1 month. It appears that there was some miscommunication about the time. We arrived at 12 pm and were told our reservation was for 2 pm. The host was very rude. She never apologize or even attempted to accommodate the error. She went on to say that they were fully booked, yet there were no customers even in the place. It appears obvious that they are not interested in new customers. I never had a chance to try the wine, but I feel that there are many delicious wines in Fredericksburg and a stop here is not necessary.

Super impressed with Calais. Not our first time here but the first since COVID (visited 11/13). Social distancing kept in mind while still maintaining an unbelievable experience. Mary was our host and provided an educational/enthusiastic wine tasting. She also gave us some great recommendations. I can't recommend Calais enough!!

If you visit the Texas wine country in the Texas Hill Country, definitely add Calais to your wine tour. The winery is located in a very non-descript bunker that you would miss just driving by. Tastings are by appointment only so plan ahead. The wine is exceptional and the folks who work there are very knowledgeable in the wines they are pouring. Keep in mind, the wines are a better quality than most Texas wines and a little pricier but well-worth it. We bought a half case of 5 reds and 1 white and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. If you enjoy good wine, you'll love it.

Not our favorite. The server was knowledgeable. Wine was just ok. Felt the wine was overpriced for the taste. Also, felt rushed during our tasting.

Super exclusive, and intimate, if you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of what everyone else is doing. Book a cave tasting, and have a private expert walk you through how Calais has transformed over the years. Exquisite French Wine. Loved it!

There's no sign for the winery on 290; just a small French flag flying over a dirt side road. Once down that road to the Calais underground bunker entrance, there's a handwritten sign as you walk down to the bunker doors. The bunker is a wonderful respite from the Texas heat; mostly filled with barrels, a small tasting bar up front, and a table that seats 8 for the winemaker's tastings in the back. It's a three person operation and Benjamin Calais is clearly very passionate about their work. We tasted mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Sauv blends, all sourced from the Texas high plains. I have never seen Texas Cab done anywhere nearly as well as Calais. I'd always believed that Texas wineries that served Cab were playing to the preferences of their visitors, but Calais proves that Texas Cab can stand proudly head to head and even above wines like Tempranillo that I'd been taught were more Texas friendly. Walked away with at least one bottle of each and every of the 5 main tastings from the winemaker session. Mostly in the $50 range, everything we were poured was simply excellent. If you want a beautiful winery to lounge away a Texas afternoon, there are many other choices up and down 290. If you want to taste just how good Texas wines can be, book a visit to Calais.

This is THE BEST wine we've had from Texas. Period. Stop reading. Visit their website and schedule a tasting. Owner, vintner, engineer, and part-time forklift driver Benjamin Calais is a man of passion. He brings his art of oenology from France to share with us in Texas. This is a boutique winery that focuses on high-end wines. We're talking about a handful of barrels each year. We sampled the Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon. All were elegant, rich, and silky smooth. All are worthy of cellaring. Are Calais wines a bit pricey? Yep. Sure are. But, if you want to get the best, you have to pay up. If you're on a budget, buy one bottle and save it for that romantic dinner. You wont' be sorry!

Just when you think "I would never try Texas wine" .... you go here and change your mind. Ben is from France (Calais! how fitting) and knows what the heck he is doing. If you are interested in going, book way ahead .. sounds like he books up fast and let me tell you it is worth it! He does everything right... from the French Oak Barrels to the harvesting of the grapes. If you like good wine (mayyybeee are a bit of a wine snob) ... this place will give you hope for Texas vineyards. And get ready to spend your money, because you won't leave here empty handed.

Just a weird experience. It's in a "cave". Not really a cave at all. A hole dug in the ground and a piece of wood thrown up to serve wine over. All big California style wine. If that's what you're looking for, go you. Not Texas style wines at all. Just came to me...it's a bunker dug in the ground. Not a cave. Too many other good opportunities in this area. Not for me. Trying too hard. Idk. Weird.

We had a blast here, drinking wine and learning about the process for making each bottle a great bottle. The owner/winemaker was very passionate, which came through in the wine. The sauvignon blanc we tried was outstanding - a nice oaky flavor that resembled a chardonnay. The reds we tried were all outstanding, and we got to sample some of the winemaker's bread as we sipped. A great experience all around, especially since the setting is very intimate and not at all rowdy.

A hidden gem with no signage. This is by far the smallest winery we visited, but it was so worth the U-turn when we missed the unmarked drive. The tasting is done in an underground building that the winemaker helped to build himself. He is extremely hands-on with the entire process and was even present for our tasting. You get a much more personal experience here. This tasting is not about looks or scenery, but rather about learning about great wine in an intimate setting. The wines were wonderful! Ben really brings the beauty of French wines to Texas.

Not just a winery but an intimate and personal experience. Be ready to fall in love with Benjamin Calais, his passion, his wine and the education you will have tucked into your memory when you leave. Our gang decided on the $15 wine flight which is a fantastic offering. Five lovely wines ranging from a tender white to a bold Cabernet. Every pour was generous and each wine delicious. We loved the education Ben provided as he is a walking dictionary on wine from the tender vine to the final bottle. Each of his wines is handmade from the finest grapes and stored in aged French barrels in his underground stone bunker. For me, this is the best wine I've tasted in the Texas Hill Country. It's imperative that you call for an appointment as Ben will most likely be booked if you decide to just stop by.

This is a small non-description building. It was a small annoyance that a reservation was required so we arrived and had to sign up for a reservation 30 min from then. The wine tasting host was very friendly and the wines are spectacular! Quite possibly the best wines we tasted that weekend. Only complaints are the lack of a view/patio. It kind of detracts from the overall experience and I'd personally probably rather go to their sister property French Connection for a nice view and still great wines. Overall, this is still a fun tasting and excellent wines.

One of the best wine makers in Texas. No great views here, just great wine. Nuanced, deeply extracted fine wines.

Calais Winery is superb. You can taste the passion, and quality driven intensity that French Winemaker Benjamin Calais pours into each bottle of his wine. Ben himself oversees every step of the wine making process from A - Z. Ben is from Calais a town and major port in northern France. He found his way to Austin through the technology World via Dallas. He utilizes traditional French techniques and has the longest barrel aging program that I am aware of in this part of Texas. He barrels both his whites and reds. His wines are created from Texas grown grapes from the best vineyards. This is small batch crafted high quality wines. Word is out about his wine, because as soon as it is bottled, Ben has a hard time keeping it available on the tasting menu. It sells like hot cakes. Ben's winery is a work in progress. He has been working to clear the land so he can grow some rows of Tannat in the near future. The small tasting room is also the cellar were the wine is racked in barrels. It is built partly underground and keeps the price for running AC low. Walking into the tasting room reminds me of touring the small villages in French Switzerland and visiting their local wine caves. You need to make an appointment in advance. The tasting experience takes about an hour, and on the weekend is usually accompanied with some of Ben's fresh baked French bread (his dad was a baker). I have been hear several times now and always enjoy the experience. Ben is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his wine. You can also purchase the beautiful glasses that the tasting comes in. They are crafted and imported from Ben's hometown in France. The wine is a great mix of old world funk with deep soul. Because of the high quality, the prices are higher. But it is worth every cent. This is great wine!

I'm a picky wine drinker after living near Napa for years. GREAT French wine!! My favorite reds in Texas. Small winery. We met him at another wine event and he brought some bottles for people to sample. Loved them so much I went and bought more. It is a must stop for a good red wine. VERY small unassuming place with all of the more elaborate wineries going in along 290. SKIP The snobby and come here.

Ben is a former tech guy turned winemaker. It's clear that he has found his calling. The wine he makes is heads and shoulders above what the other best winemakers in the area produce. He sources his grapes from the best vineyards in TX and then gives them special TLC to coax the best possible taste profiles from them. Perhaps the small quantities and the longer term oaking helps, but I'm really not sure. Fundamentally the difference is that his wines have a level of complexity/depth that other vineyards are not able (yet) to produce. The prices for the reds were roughly $50+ per bottle so this will not be an inexpensive treat, but I'd say they're worth it. He also makes some of the best bread that you can get in our lovely state, though he doesn't sell it. You get a piece as part of the tasting. Not the prettiest place, but certainly one that aims at excellence and more often than not achieves it. Get reservations if you decided to go!

Hands down, this is the best tasting wine made in Texas (to my taste). I generally prefer French-style wines, and the French owner makes French-style wine with Texas grapes. I'm usually a red drinker, but everything I've sampled from them is perfect for my palette.

This winery was difficult to find. The place is only marked with a French flag. The wines are a little on the pricey side. We considered buying a bottle, but it was $52 which I felt was a little more than I wanted to spend, but it was pretty tasty. They had a sourdough bread there that was super and nice and crusty and still warm from being freshly baked. Too bad they weren't selling bread. We would have bought a loaf.

The wine is excellent here, smooth and tasty. The bottles range about 48.00 but well worth it if you like wine. The young lady giving the presentation was so nice. I didn't have an appointment but she was gracious and invited my family in. I regularly visit the wineries on 290 and this one is one of the best. Small place but if you're out for wine, definitely hit this one up. 2 thumbs up!

This place is incredible. Once you get over the shock of how the building looks, everything falls perfectly into place. The building is basically a shack built into a very small hill on the property. However, without this building, Calais would not be Calais. From the moment you walk in the door, it feels as though you are in some private place of wine reverence. I was almost unsure of what I was allowed to touch or go because everything, as I understand, happens in one room. The barrels are aging on the walls around you, there may be a small metal holding tank, and then there are a couple pieces of board supported by a couple wine barrels. Then, there is the wine. Let me tell you - the wine is PHENOMENAL. This is some of the highest quality wine you will have in Fredericksburg. And, Benjamin Calais, the owner and wine maker, did our tasting. He is incredibly passionate about his wine and is very knowledgeable and helpful about teaching you the intricacies of how he does what he does. Overall, this is a MUST experience.

Being from CA, I rarely find red wine I like in Texas. This wine rivaled the best of Napa, the winemaker was from France and truly knew what he was doing. It was an amazing tasting with a very knowledgeable host. Driving up it doesn't look like much but don't be fooled this is a hidden gem and is awesome.

This was our favorite wine out of the four we visited. Ben was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. He makes his wines special by bravely putting twists in these wines for different and unique, high quality flavors. We highly recommend Calais and will definitely be returning again.

This is the best wine in Texas, we make an appointment here every time we drive to Fredericksburg from Austin. We recently booked the winemaker's table tasting and it was an awesome experience, we learn a lot about wine every time we taste with Ben. Don't miss this spot if you go tasting in the hill country.

Amazing wine!!!! However the service we received was awful when going back after our tasting to join an allocation / membership. Was treated like I was a complete annoyance when trying to purchase a case of wine. So upsetting seeing that this is the third time we have been and enjoy the wine so much.

The best hidden secret in Central Texas Winery. It is not a large winery by any means, but Ben Calais (engineer turned wine maker) is producing some of the best wine not just in the state, but the U.s. He is methodical, knowledgeable, and downright daring about his art. He will try things other wine makers will not. He won't pander to the masses, and I applaud him for it. He produces a fraction of what the larger more well known wineries do, like William Cris, but his attention to detail and mad scientist tinkering elevates the quality of the product far and above that of his larger counterparts. If you ever are lucky enough to experience one of his special tastings where he sits you down and walks you through some of his off the menu bottles, you will die a fulfilled person. One of his wines actually brought tears to one of our group! Plus he makes his own bread for samples! God bless the French, and god bless Benjamin Calais!

Wow. Just wow. Amazing French style wines. The tasting in the caves was a great atmosphere.

Had been hearing great things about Ben Calais and his wines from wine industry folks for the better part of this year. Our major regret in deferring our first visit is that, given the limited production, several wines were completely sold out. He had brought a Roussanne from his private stock to complete the five tasting samples, but it is not available for purchase. Alas, the 30 month oak aged version of the same varietal will undoubtedly not last too long either. Nobody else in the area is doing what he does, and the result is more than evident in the glass. Tastings are by appointment only-the small tasting bar probably does not accommodate more than ten folks at a time, and the personalized attention provided makes this an educational experience to be savored at leisure. There is no lounging area or BTG sales, as the tasting room is just carved out of a section of the semi-underground winery, that could double as a bunker from a WWII movie. -tastings are Sat/Sunday only. Online booking available at the website -there is no wine club, or plans for create one -if you find something you like, buy it. It may not be available on your next visit -these are NOT inexpensive wines, but the quality/price ratio is more than adequate

Ben Calais is a walking encyclopedia of grape/ vineyard farming. This place is not for those looking for a beautiful setting to impress your shallow Instafriends, but it is THE place to go and learn about 100% Texas wines. His wines can be outstanding! Appointment only and limited to 10 people inside at a time.

Set a reservation and get in on this one. Benjamin is a true Frenchman and has a very unique perspective on the 290 wineroad. His cellar is built into the ground (no lie) making it a fairly rare venue for a tasting. The owner and host for a tasting is the winemaker, the engineer, the grower, the barreller, and the keep the water out of the new cellar storyteller (ask him!). Check out his website to set up a visit, and use your GPS to look him up you won't be disappointed. He was at the bottom of his stores when we went this weekend, and there's a reason for that, great wine. Merci beaucoup!

A group of us stopped at Calais yesterday and I was awestruck with the quality of these wines! I thought I was in the heart of Bordeaux wine country! We tasted several reds along with the sauvignon blanc. Wow is all I can say. The SB was right up there with some of the best and the Gravitas reserve red was just super. We walked out with five bottles of the Gravitas! As a whole - Texas wines are getting better and Calais Winery, in my opinion, is leading the way. Watch out Napa Valley!

What an awesome treat. Passionate Wine maker equals beautiful wines with character and soul. Each wine has a different story. Definitely worth leaving the big city for a little road trip! CL from DFW

Hands down the BEST wine in Fredericksburg. It's a little pricey but so worth it. We will be back! We purchased 3 bottles!

Great wines, intimate tasting experience, and the opportunity to learn from one of the best wine minds in the area. Highly recommended!

Recently visited Calais... stumbled on it as a result of finding them here on Yelp. When we drove down their long drive off 290, we didn't realize where it was at first.... it is built into the ground with very little above ground. Very cool inside. Wine was good Homemade bread was also good. Staff was friendly.

We went on a wine tour through Tipsy Tours and this was our last stop. The wine maker is the one that did the tasting for us. You could tell that he was passionate about his wine. And the wine itself was fabulous. We enjoyed all their wines.

Great place. Delicious wine, fun interesting atmosphere. The owner is very hands on and knows a great deal about Texas wines ( especially for a Frenchman!). Dry Rose and Syrah are the highlights for sure. If you want a personalized boutique experience, this is the one to do on the Texas wines trail!

Hands down the best wine I have ever tasted. Ben even bakes fresh bread each day that really compliments the red wines. I really recommend trying to fit Calais winery into your plan when here as you need to schedule it first before showing up!