Where is the Wine Route?
The Route des vins is situated in the Brome-Missisquoi county, the gateway to the Eastern townships.  Less than an hour from Montreal and bordering the state of Vermont, The Wine Route  makes for an ideal trip.

Are there any package deals with the Wine Route?
Certain wineries offer package deals during harvest time.  Several accommodations offer deals including a visit to a winery.

Are the wineries open all year long?
Some wineries are open year-long.  However, from mid-November to mid-April, it’s best to verify their opening hours before visiting.

After we’ve visited the Wine Route, what else is there to do?
Quebec’s wine region offers a multitude of activities for every interest.  We offer you "les Ami de la Route des vins”.  Come discover the creative talent of our local artists, our heritage, our agritourism, our restaurants or our outdoor activities.

What is “les Amis de la Route des vins”?
Les « Amis de la Route des vins » is a group composed of businesses offering services and products that will complete your wine region experience.  Visit a couple of wineries, a cider house, a gallery or play a game of golf and finish your evening at one of our many restaurants.

Can we visit the Wine Route by bicycle?
Presently there are three thematic bike routes that cover parts of the Wine Route. Please take note that the Wine Route is 132 km long and that we do not have any paths exclusively for bikes.  It’s up to you to decide…

How many wineries are there to visit?
At the moment there are 17 wineries that are open to the public.

How much time should I plan for each winery visit?
Visiting four to five wineries per day is a realistic expectation. Most visits can last from 30 to 45 minutes; however expect to spend at least an hour if you decide to take a guided tour.

When does harvesting begin?
Harvest time takes place between mid September and mid October.

When is the best time to visit the wineries?
Spring, summer, autumn and winter… each season has something special to offer.  Come visit us in spring when the vines wake up to the glowing sun.  Come visit us in summer when the region is alive with festivals and activities, come see us in the fall and discover or participate in our grape harvest or why not come in winter and visit our local producers and buy your Christmas gifts.

Are the wines available at the SAQ?
Several wines are available at the SAQ, please consult each winery for a list of wines that are offered at the SAQ.

Are Quebec wines available in other provinces?
Not at the moment.

How many bottles of wine can I bring back into the U.S?
One litre per person may be entered into the U.S duty-free.  Duty is generally 3% of the value and the IRS excise tax is generally between 21- 31 cents per 750 ml bottle of wine.  Please consult the U.S Customs & Border Protection website for additional information.

Do I need to speak French to visit?
No, most wineries employ staff who are bilingual.

Can we eat at the wineries?
L’Orpailleur and the Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise each have a restaurant.  Vignoble Gagliano offer picnic baskets which include a bottle of wine, a baguette, cheese and other local products.  Several wineries have picnic tables for your convenience.  When visiting, ask to browse our local restaurant listing and discover our restaurants that offer local wines and feature local products on their menus. Our catalogue includes restaurant descriptions, opening hours, pictures, and each restaurants menu.

Where can I order tourist brochures of the wine region?
Tourist information can be ordered directly on this site by clicking on the "contact us" button.  All brochures are also available in our region’s Tourist Information Centers.

Do I have to call before visiting the wineries?
The wineries are open seven days a week during peak season.  We recommand that you consult the section "vineyards" of the Website to find out about the schedule of each vineyar. Between mid-November and mid-April, it’s best to call ahead.

Can I participate in the harvest?
Yes you can, certain wineries offer visitors the possibility to pick grapes.  Reservations are required, please verify for participating wineries.

Is there a fee for tasting wines?
Certain wineries charge a modest fee for tasting.  However most tastings are free with every purchase or are included when you take a guided tour.  A fee is usually required for sampling ice wine since this liquid gold is quite costly to produce.

What is the fabrication process for Ice wine?
This excellent dessert wine is made with grapes that are frozen outside from October to January.  The desiccation of the grapes produces a rich and concentrated juice.  While 100kg of grapes gives normally 80 to 85 litres of juice, the volume for ice wine is no more the 12 to 15 litres when pressed at -12 degrees.

What methods of payment are accepted by the wineries?
Cash, debit and major credit cards.

Do you have any tips for me to plan my trip?

• Bring a cooler or a box to store your purchases.
• Designate a driver, an ounce here and there can add up fast.
• When visiting during low season (end of November to April), check each winery’s hours of operation before visiting.
• Find out about our local summer festivals, events and special activities at the wineries.  Several wineries offer cultural activities.
• Pick up your copy of our wine tasting diary, a guide full of valuable information where you can write down all your comments on each tasted wine.
• Take your time.  Visiting 5 wineries per day is a realistic goal. Discover our beautiful landscapes that add to the charm of la Route des vins.

Do you have any basic wine tasting tips?

• Don’t wear heavy perfume or cologne that might mask the taste of wines.
• Don’t chew gum.
• Ask a lot of questions.
• Taste light wine first (for example: whites before reds).
• Eat something between visits. Several wineries offer pieces of bread or crackers to help break lingering tastes.