This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
Julien Masia is chef and owner of the renowned Arvi restaurant in Quebec. Ariel Pinsonneault is a pastry chef by trade and, more recently, graduated in horticultural production. Together, the couple put down roots in the Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse countryside, where their family vineyard project began to take shape, one organic vintage at a time.
When they acquired Domaine Bel-Chas in 2021, officially renamed Domaine Arvi, the couple made a dream come true: that of carrying out a joint project that would leave “a trace”. “We did it firstly because we wanted to work together, but also because we had this idea of leaving something to our children and offering them a living environment close to nature,” summarizes M. .Masia.
They met about fifteen years ago at the restaurant where they were both employed. After spending many good years in the Saint-Roch district, in Quebec, then in Sainte-Pétronille, on the Île d’Orléans, Mme Pinsonneault,M. Masia and their two children moved, in 2022, into the ancestral house dating from 1765 which adjoins the vineyard. Their land on Rang de l’Hêtrière covers approximately 12 hectares, four of which are occupied by hybrid grape varieties well adapted to the region’s climate and maintained according to the principles of organic farming. They also hope to receive their organic certification in time for the next harvest. That’s not all: in addition to some 10,000 vine plants, they grow a whole variety of fruit trees and flowers, not to mention some vegetables and herbs. Quite a change for the little family!
Find balance
“We knew exactly what we were getting into,” says Mr. Masia. But it took the right project. I would have said no to a dairy farm! »
His partner then suggested that he take up the profession of winemaker. After her training in horticulture and her time at the Seigneurie de Liret, the former owner of Loukoum Cupcake was hooked. “Working in a vineyard gave me a taste for being outside,” she explains. And then, it was a bit of my childhood dream to live on a farm. » In addition to their dogs, they have horses, beehives and a few chickens that peck freely between the vines.
“It’s a great adventure,” agrees her partner. We are both hyperactive and, here, we get what we pay for: every day, every season, it’s different! You can’t be bored. It fits perfectly with who we are! »
While everyone has their responsibilities – and personalities that complement each other, they say – the couple does everything together. “We multitask,” describes Mr. Masia. My partner takes care of the field a little more and I take care of the paperwork. But all the work on the wines is done in pairs. »
And this, with passionate discussions that extend from time to time beyond the 9 to 5! “It has become a challenge not to be talking about wine all the time,” says the mother, “to the point where the children sometimes ask us to change the subject. »
And what about the next generation? “We never said to ourselves that it was absolutely necessary for the children to take over the estate,” says Mr. Masia. It goes without saying that every winegrower’s dream is to have family succession. But, basically, we do it for us. » After all, their children, aged 10 and 13, have time to think about it.
In the meantime, there is no shortage of action at Domaine Arvi. With their first vintages, most of which are single varietals, the couple is preparing to launch their online store and are already preparing for the summer of 2024. On the program from the end of June: the reopening of the terrace, special events and guided tours.
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This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.