Not-to-be-missed Experiences on La Route des Vins this Summer

The summer of 2020 brought its load of adaptations for Quebec’s tourism industry. Many vineyards of the Route des vins de Brome-Missisquoi have seized this opportunity to attune themselves by offering their visitors some new experiences. Here’s an overview of these new propositions along with a few more classic and well-known activities to enjoy on the Route des vins this season.

Wine Tasting Surrounded by Grapevines

This activity can be enjoyed at the Château de Cartes vineyard, in Dunham, every Saturday and Sunday during the season. The vineyard offers 2 types of packages for $10 each: a White Package and a Red Package. They’ll offer a short explanation describing the different wines you’ll be tasting and then you can take your tasting selection to one of the picnic tables they’ve placed in the middle of their vineyard.

Wine Tasting on the Terrace

Other vineyards are serving their tasting platters on a terrace. At the Val Caudalies vineyard, they’re offering a commented tasting of 6 products for $8 per person. The Vignoble de la Bauge, and the Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise offer tasting platters on their terraces as well.

A Rally for Small and Tall Alike

In Brigham, the Vignoble de la Bauge has created a rally specially designed for kids. They’ll have to use their observation skills and help the winemaker find all the items he’s lost inside his vineyard. Adults are also invited to participate in a photography rally.

Gourmet Activities

Foodies will want to head out to the Vignoble du Ruisseau to discover the new braising Bistro. On the menu you’ll find salads, tartares, cheese and charcuterie platters and maple flavoured deserts. Everything is made with local products.

Good to know: The Vignoble de l’Orpailleur’s well-known restaurant, Le Tire-Bouchon is also open all summer long.

An Outdoor Wine Bar

At UNION LIBRE, cidre et vin, tastings can be enjoyed at their enormous outdoor bar. Perfect for taking advantage of the beautiful weather!

A Vineyard Balad

A stroll among the grapevines is the perfect activity for admiring the surrounding landscape and to stretch your legs after having enjoyed a wine tasting session. Some vineyards have created pathways and trails that will take visitors across their vine fields. Among others, this year, the Vignoble de l’Orpailleur is offering a new interpretive path set all around their buildings. Art enthusiasts will want to visit the Nature et Création exhibit of the Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise in Dunham, which offers about a hundred sculptures set on a 1 km trail ($4). Finally, at the Val Caudalies vineyard you’ll be able to explore a trail that covers about two kilometres with a great view overlooking Mount Pinacle.

A Picnic at the Vineyard

Most Brome-Missisquoi vineyards offer their visitors picnicking spaces. You didn’t think of bringing a lunch? No worries! Here are a few options available onsite. At the Château de Cartes vineyard, you can buy pizza baked in a wood-burning oven to take out. At the Domaine du Ridge, they serve platters of local charcuterie. Finally, the Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise and the Vignoble Gagliano offer picnic baskets filled with local products (reservations are required).

A Game of pétanque at the Vineyard

We conclude this article with a fun activity! If you’re planning to visit the Domaine du Ridge in Saint-Armand, bring your pétanque game and take advantage of the site’s playing field while enjoying a bottle of their house wine.

Enjoy your visit!