Introduction

I found my visit to Calais Winery to be an interesting one; different from most of my other winery visits. From the moment I stepped into that charming cave-style tasting room, I felt the immersion in Texas Wine. Their wines, crafted from 100% Texas-grown grapes, are both bold and refined. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just exploring local varietals, Calais delivers an interesting tasting experience that captures the soul of Texas terroir.

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What Makes This Place Different?

Calais stands out with its tasting room and barrel aging facility housed in a genuine cave dug into a Texas hillside giving it a level of raw authenticity. You probably won’t see more than 8 customers at a time in the facility as that it all it accommodates.

My Wine Pick

My top pick is their Gravitas 2020 Red Blend from the Texas High Plains. The actual blend. remains secret so I can’t elaborate further. ‘This is a Reserve wine with a hefty price of $110.85 per bottle.

History and Facility

Calais originally launched in Dallas in 2008, born from Benjamin’s passion for crafting refined wines. They later built the stunning cave facility near Hye/Fredericksburg, carving it into the hillside to create an intimate, temperature-controlled tasting room. It’s an exceptional Texas Winery experience—elegant, cozy, and deeply rooted in Hill Country charm.

The Wines

All the wines produced at Calais come from Texas grapes grown in the highest elevation growing regions of the state.

Memorable Wine(s): 2020 Gravitas (Red Blend), 2022 Cuvee du Rocher (Sauvignon Blanc)

Very Good, But Not Memorable Wine(s): 2019 TX RD, and 2018 TX RG

Other Wine(s): 2021 Cuvee de L’Exposition (Cabernet Sauvignon), 2021 Cuvée de la Fourche (Carménère), 2020 Cuvée de Cantegral (Cab Franc), and 2020 Cuvée du Chêne Reserve (Petite Verdot).

• Overall value of the wines: I will call it “Fair”. The wines are generally more expensive than peer wines.
• Cost of Whites / Rose’s: The whites are a little north of $40 per bottle.
• Cost of Reds: The reds range between $68 to $110
• Most Expensive: The most expensive wine is Gravitas at $110.85.

I was really hoping I would have tasted a wine that had a wow factor for me, but that did not happen. Perhaps it might have with one of the Allocated reserve wines, but it didn’t for the publicly available ones.

Wine Club

Calais does not have a traditional wine club, but rather an allocation list. Those on the allocation list can order / purchase wine. You must contact them to get on the allocation list. Several of their wines are not available to the public and only available to those on the allocation list.

Conclusion

I recommend Calais Winery as a premier destination among Texas Wineries if you are prepared for some very good Texas wine but will not be turned off by the pricing and availability. Their devotion to producing expressive, high-quality Texas wines in an eclectic cave setting is impressive. Whether you’re sipping their standout Cabernet Franc or sampling rich whites, Calais delivers a powerful experience that celebrates the art of winemaking in Texas.

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FAQ

1. Do you need a reservation to visit Calais Winery?
Yes—Calais is a boutique hill-country cave winery with limited capacity, so reservations are required for tastings. They are only open Thursday thru Sunday.

2. Where are their grapes sourced from?
All of their wines are made from Texas-grown grapes, primarily from the High Plains AVA, capturing the state’s unique terroir.

3. Are their wines expensive?
Calais is positioned at the premium end of the Texas wine spectrum. Reddit users say, “it is expensive, but on an entire other level from what most are attempting to do in the Hill Country”. I did not find the extra cost commensurate with an elevated quality.

About the Author

A native of Texas, Ken “Texan” Pierce is a renowned alcohol aficionado with decades of experience in the Texas wine, whiskey, and beer industry. With a vast number of alcohol production resources right in his back yard in the Texas Hill Country, Ken has made it his mission to promote and advance the Texas winemaking, distilling, and brewing industry across the country.  Ken holds certifications from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) for wine and is a Certified Texas Wine Ambassador. His ability to identify tasting notes and pairings makes him a respected authority within alcohol enthusiast circles. When he’s not reviewing the latest craft spirits, you can find Ken playing his guitar, trying to sing, and sipping on a Texas libation.