A community favorite winery is closing its physical location in South Austin. C.L. Butaud has announced its plans to permanently close its tasting room on July 26. The owners cited rising rent costs and financial strain as the reason for its closure.
C.L. Butaud to Close Brick-and-Mortar Austin Tasting Room, Continue Operations Online
Austin-based husband and wife duo Randy and Brooke Hester established the winery in 2014. They founded the winery with a focus on producing premium wines made exclusively from Texas-grown grapes. The couple began their journey of winemaking in Napa Valley and had years of experience before starting their own venture.
C.L. Butaud has received multiple recognitions and remarkable reviews over the years. C.L. Butaud’s Desert Willow Vineyard Mourvèdre 2019 was named on VinePair’s 50 Best Wines of 2021 list.
C.L. Butaud will officially close its tasting room located at 415 E St. Elmo Road in Austin on Sunday, July 26. The Austin tasting room was established in 2024.
Although the tasting room is closing, the winery will continue operating online. The winery will continue to operate its business digitally. “You’ll still be able to purchase our wines through our online store or through our Friends & Family Wine Club, and we’ll continue sharing updates as we begin the next chapter,” stated the team.
The team also said it is actively searching for a new location in Austin.
View this post on Instagram
What Led to the Closure
In the post, the owners explained that the increasing rent and expenses have made the small and independent winery’s operation difficult. The owners decided not to renew their lease and said, “After a lot of thought, we made the difficult decision to step away from the space.”
The team encouraged the community and customers to visit and say farewell to the tasting room. They also thanked the community for its support and added, “Thank you for being part of our story. Your support over the years has allowed a small Texas winery to do something pretty special, and we’re incredibly grateful.”
The C.L. Butaud team looks forward to raising a glass with the community one last time before the tasting room closes.
