C.L. Butaud was founded in Austin, Texas, in 2014 by husband and wife Randy and Brooke Hester. Their mission was to create ultra-premium wines entirely from Texas vineyards, building on their experience working at some of the most acclaimed Napa Valley wineries. The Hesters’ winemaking journey began in 2006 in Napa Valley, where they set out on a 10-year path of training, education and research under noteworthy winemakers and mentors.
C.L. Butaud has been recognized as a top Texas wine by Texas Monthly, the Texas Department of Agriculture, Austin Monthly, Austin American Statesman, Houston Chronicle, Forbes, and has been reviewed by Decanter, Wine Advocate, James Suckling, and VinePair, with inclusion in Vine Pair's 50 Best Wines of 2021, and “30 Best Red Wines to drink in 2022.” The 2017 Tempranillo received a 91-point score by Decanter and the 2019 Desert Willow Mourvèdre was named VinePair’s Top 50 Wines of 2021.