This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
Quebec’s vineyards now number in the dozens and are everywhere in the province. Many are open to the public and offer experiences that allow you to learn more about local wines while enjoying the place. Here are two in Montérégie that encourage their visitors to spend the day in the vineyards.
Pomone vineyard, Coteau-du-Lac
Sylvie Bissonnette has no shortage of words when it is time to talk about her vineyard, “one of the 10 largest in Quebec,” her products and the offerings her team offers. However, she almost didn’t make it there. In 2015, a few hours before meeting the man with whom she has shared her life since, she was preparing to sign a deed to buy land where she was going to cultivate asparagus. But she had always cherished the dream of making wine, and fate intervened when she met Sylvain Poirier, who owned vineyards to sell grapes. “Quickly, I suggested that we make wine with our grapes. We didn’t know how to proceed. We hired professionals to [qu’ils nous aident]. We had our first wines in 2016 and we opened the store in 2019! » said the expressive woman.
Now, Sylvie and Sylvain – she worked in technology, he was a farmer – show the place themselves and talk about their wines to the curious public. For those in a hurry, an interactive tour is also offered using a QR code. Everyone can then taste the vineyard’s products at the outdoor bar and enjoy the picnic area or the large terrace surrounded by flowers. “We are in a row, it’s very peaceful,” explains the winegrower, who is delighted to see people spending several hours there. This is because, to accompany the wines, you can also order food. On the menu: cheese platters, charcuterie and foie gras from Quebec. Or you bring your own dish to enjoy in the middle of the vines with a good bottle. Notice to those interested: come autumn, the vineyard invites the public to participate in the harvest in exchange for meals… and wine, of course!
Pomone wines are distributed in certain delicatessens, restaurants and hotels in the province. Whites, rosés, reds, piquettes, grays, oranges, fortified wines or vermouth, made in sustainable cultivation and mostly organic… They come “from an exceptional terroir”, guarantees Sylvie. Hearing her talk about her wines, we say that perhaps she did well not to grow asparagus.
Open from May until the end of October, Friday to Sunday. Groups are welcomed during the week. Dogs are welcome.
Domaine Vinēterra, Mont-Saint-Hilaire
For René-Carl Martin and Isabelle Beauchemin, the choice of renting their vineyard is anything but trivial. “We thought it was perfect to be near the city because we wanted to see people. We also wanted it to be possible to leave Montreal so that [les gens] can have a good time with us,” explains the former pharmaceutical representative.
The couple took over Isabelle’s father’s field crop farm, located in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, before diversifying the business by planting vines. “I understood that it was absurd to bring bottles from the other side of the planet. To improve my ecological footprint, I began to discover Canadian wines and understand that excellent wines could be made, even in regions with winter. » The first Vinēterra wines were released in 2019, and the building which is used to welcome the public opened a year later.
Upon arrival, you first notice the mountain panorama offered by the windows of the large wooden building. You can then choose to take the guided tour in person or with videos, if you want to go at your own pace, or, alternatively, go directly to the tasting of the wines of the vineyard which offers a dozen.
René-Carl suggests the 450 meter walk between the establishment and the vineyards. “We are very proud of our vines and we want people to enjoy the beauty of the place! Our wish is that they spend as much time as possible with us and that they leave thinking that they really had a good time! »
Those who want to stay a little longer can thanks to the pick-your-own offerings offered by Domaine Vinēterra: wild flowers during part of the summer; of table grapes, “sweet and tasty”, in August.
The couple of winegrowers notice that prejudices about Quebec wines are slowly changing. “Here, we always think that we cannot produce good wines. We have work to do, but I believe that in general, people are ready to discover,” notes René-Carl, whose wines have won international awards. According to him, this kind of recognition contributes to the good reputation of Quebec wines. That, and telling visitors about it and letting them taste it. On this side, at the Domaine, the succession is assured: Éliane, the couple’s daughter, in her early twenties, is sommelier and co-owner of the company and is preparing wine workshops for this summer.
Open from June 20 until Christmas. It is recommended to book for guided tours which take place in the morning before opening.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.