Calais Winery

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!

What an unbelievable experience. We had a tasting last minute with the owner in the private seating area with excellent wines (Texas only!) and fresh bread. The best tasting I have ever experienced. This is not your typical place-​only for people looking for the best high quality wine in Texas. I am looking forward to each night we get to open a bottle we bought.

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!

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!

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!

The owner/​winemaker is a charming Frenchman. Built his own cellar in the side of a hill. He makes really good wine. He is a purist… Live and die by the grapes. Texas grapes in French oak. Try the Tempranillo. Will go back for sure!

This place is great! We got a tip to try this place out, and we were so so glad we did. Off the beaten path, and not your typical cheesey «Tuscany in Texas» atmosphere. The wine blew everything we had tried this weekend out of the water. So much more flavorful than even our formerly favorite Fberg wineries had to offer. We’ll for sure be back. Be sure to book a reservation!

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

Did someone say French style wine in Texas? Why yes… it is possible and this is «THE» spot for some really, really fine French style wine made in Texas from Texas grown grapes. Plus, owner Ben Calais just happens to be from France as well! He grew up in the French town of Calais where he learned to make wine in Bordeaux. Many long time Texas wine fans may remember him at his first location in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas. That is where we first visited and tasted his wines many harvest moons ago. A quick check of our inventory and we still have a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a 2006 (yes, 2006!) La Cuvee du Commerce still aging in our cellar from those early days. Since then, Ben has been able to acquire quality Texas grapes to make his fine wines. Ben has been pretty much a one man show getting the land and building construction done. His hard labor of wine love is finally coming to form. His wine cave will bring you a unique and cool (literally) wine tasting experience as well as a country like feel. Not every grape makes the cut for Ben’s wine making techniques and it definitely shows in the aroma and taste. Currently, Ben’s lineup includes a Rose, two whites and three reds to sip and savor. The 2014 chilled dry Rose is great for our Texas summer heat. It’s a blend of Cinsault and Mourvedre. You’ll definitely enjoy it’s cool, dry texture. You may need at least a case to get you through this hot and muggy summer. The 2013 and 2012 Roussanne wine from the High Plains are like night and day. Both are uniquely good. The 2013 harvest for Texas was a bit lean because of the late freeze. As such, there wasn’t that much fruit, but what was available is full in flavor. The 2012 Roussanne was aged for 30 months. Leave it to Ben to be able to age this white varietal for this long and turn out so well. The 2012 Sangiovese has that nice earthy unfiltered flavor that just makes your whole mouth feel satisfied. Ben has also done a fine job on the 2012 Tempranillo. It should age well for those who are patient with their reds. For the 2012 Cabernet Suavignon, just put a case of this in your coffin for the afterlife. Yes, it is that good. Ben knows cabs! Available for purchase is the 2011 Marrons. After all, what is a good meal without a nice Madera to end off the night? Add this to your wine stash. Future estate plans do call for a vineyard to be planted. It sounded like Ben was focused on Tannat and only Tannat. After all, the right grapes with the right soil in the right climate is where the «Q» in quality wine starts. Future wine releases include some single vineyard varietal wines as well as a limited Bordeaux style release. In addition to wine, Ben also makes some great homemade bread. Yes, he is talented in food and wine. Maybe he should have a bread shop alongside his winery! One thing we guarantee, you won’t find a bad drop of wine here. So, come on out and sip and chat with Ben while enjoying his great tasting wines. It’s a great place to visit! Cheers!