C.L. Butaud is Proof That Texas is Wine Country

At Texas-based C.L. Butaud, vintners Randy and Brooke Hester support the aforesaid extremity arsenic those wrong much well-known vino regions: to make high-quality vino that proudly utilizes 100% locally-grown grapes. Now successful its seventh vintage, and with galore awards to its name, C.L. Butaud is impervious that Texas tin beryllium considered vino country.

Houston-born Randy ever knew helium wanted to make vino aft moving successful the Fine Wines part of a large distributor. With woman Brooke (former CFO of Patz & Hall winery and presently manager of concern astatine Garrison Brothers Distillery) helium created a ten-year program to physique a high-end Texas vino brand. In 2006, the duo moved to Napa Valley wherever Randy began his winemaking vocation arsenic a 36-year-old intern, learning the winemaking process astatine the highest level. Working alongside acclaimed winemakers specified arsenic Andy Erickson, Michel Rolland, Mike Hirby, and Helen Keplinger astatine assorted distinguished producers including Colgin, Caldwell, Realm, and Marciano, Randy experienced each facet of the vino concern earlier creating his ain statement of Grenache-based wines. 

C.L. Butaud Founder & Winemaker Randy Hester

After moving aggregate harvests successful Texas portion maintaining their statement Lightning Wines, the Hesters moved backmost to Texas successful 2017 to found C.L. Butaud (named successful homage to Randy’s large gramps Clet Louis Butaud, besides known arsenic Frenchy) wherever Randy uses a minimalist and experimental attack portion backing up his creator instinct with the empirical information of fermentation science. While Randy continues to grow the portfolio each harvest with bottlings specified arsenic Pinot Gris, Ramato, Mourvedre, a Cease & Desist blend, a Blanc de Noir, Carbonic Counoise, and Carbonic Sangiovese, the label’s high-end, flagship bottling continues to beryllium a concentrated, rich, and complex Tempranillo, a assortment that Randy believes is ideally suited for increasing successful Texas. A much price-friendly label, Pa Pa Frenchy, offers accordant array wines disposable successful white, red, and rose´ with a statement designed by renowned creator DeerDana. At present, C.L. Butaud produces 13 antithetic wines from 7 antithetic vineyard sites. 

C.L. Butaud’s wines person been recognized for their prime by Texas Monthly, Austin Monthly, Decanter, Austin American-Statesman, VinePair and more. The 2017 Tempranillo received a 91-point people by Decanter and the 2019 Desert Willow Mourvedre was named 1 of VinePair’s Top 50 Wines of 2021. 

The C.L. Butaud Friends & Family Wine Club rank is 1 of the state’s astir popular, offering exclusive wines and perks. The nine includes 4 shipments per twelvemonth (with complimentary crushed shipping) with the quality to customize vino preferences. Customers are capable to take either 3, 6, oregon 12 bottles of existent merchandise wines to beryllium delivered upon release. Membership includes a complimentary solid oregon tasting of prime erstwhile visiting the C.L. Butaud Tasting Room successful Austin, 20% disconnected flights for each further guest, invitations to exclusive events and nine pick-up parties, and entree to room wines that are different sold retired to the wide public. 

Randy and Brooke Hester

C.L. Butaud sells straight to consumers done its website and is distributed done Republic National Distributing Company crossed Texas. All locations that transportation C.L. Butaud vino tin beryllium recovered connected the website nether “Find CLB.”

Photos courtesy of C.L. Butaud