CALAIS Winery — Attraction in Johnson City

We basically wanted to have time to visit both Calais and French Connection while in town for a quick little 290 Wine Trail crawl, but we couldn't do both. We heard about the wine cave here, so we scheduled a real tour appointment for Calais, and just did a quick visit to French Connection. We didn't realize they were a joint venture!

At any rate, I hate to report that we really felt like this place did not live up to the hype. It was mostly that we just didn't care for the wines they had to offer. The one that we tasted and really enjoyed was over $100/bottle and we felt it just wasn't worth that pricepoint.

We went out to the hill country to look for wines that would encourage us and our wine tasting friends to get serious about Texas wines. They do have an impressive menu and lineup at Calais, but the wines themselves just didn't taste good to either myself or my husband. They were all very red, very full bodied, and just had a ton of tannin with an unpleasant after taste. They were also all pretty expensive for the quality.

The wine cave is also a man made structure and not an actual geographic cave, which we thought was a touch disappointing.

I'm glad we stopped in. The staff was very passionate about the wine and knowledgeable about viniculture. They were very friendly and helpful. It's just not the...

As owner of Texas Tipsy Tours, we take the majority of our groups to Calais Winery, as it stands apart from the many wineries in the Fredericksburg area for many reasons. It is always a customer favorite for those looking for premium Texas wine. Ben Calais, winemaker from Calais, France, makes truly incredible Bordeaux varietals with 100% Texas grapes. His passion is evident in the premier quality of his wine, and truly radiates from him when you talk to him. I highly suggest booking the tasting with the winemaker if you’re looking for an intimate experience and the chance to see that passion for yourself. If you can’t swing that, Calais offers tastings by appointment on the hour. Be sure to make an appointment in advance (easy to book online)! The tastings are intimate around a small tasting bar in Calais’ cellar, built into the side of the hill and led by Mary, who is full of information and passion for Ben and his wines.

Driving down 290, you will miss it, as the only thing that marks Calais’ entrance is the French flag. All my design. This truly is the best kept secret in...

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...