domaine de lavoie

Really nice setting and beautiful tasting room. The wines and ciders themselves are nothing to write home about. I organized a vineyard hopping event with 10 friends and this was our last stop of the day. I've been to about 40 or so vineyards/cideries in Québec and they're the only ones who charge for your tastings (3$ for 4 samples) even if you end up buying bottles at the end. Also, if anyone in your group speaks English (our group was half french half English), you will have to translate for them. The owner ordered the girl at the counter not to speak English to us and commented on how they (the English speakers) should know french. So non-french visitors beware!

I had a visitor from Europe and this was our first stop on a wine/cider tour that I had put together. This vineyard has won multiple awards for its wines and deservedly so. We tasted 4 products, 1 red, 1 white wine, a fortified wine and a brandy. All were of excellent quality although my favourite was the fortified wine which would pair well with a strong cheese plate after dinner. Tours of the winery are available if booked in advance. There were 2 staff members in the well stocked store however neither spoke English and there was no information available in English either. I commented on this to one of the assistants as it is not terribly user friendly for visitors from out of province or outside Canada. I was told that "we speak French in Quebec". The remark was somewhat tempered with a small as she saw the look on my face however where one of my companions (who lives, like me in Quebec) was concerned, she will not go there again. It is a shame as they products are definitely work sampling and even buying however if they are not interested in tourists who speak other languages, there are many other wineries to visit.

C'est pas hasard que je suis passé devant l'imposant site du Domaine De Lavoie. Des vignes gelées (en hiver) à perte de vue, des pommiers dont les branches peinent à rester au tronc tant le givre pèse. Il faisait un magnifique soleil, quelle belle image que je conserverai. Une fois à la boutique, on nous reçoit chaleureusement et nous explique les produits. J'ai acheté deux bouteilles d'excellent rouge que j'ai eu l'occasion de goûter sans frais auparavant. Je suis sorti de l'immeuble avec le goût d'y revenir plus souvent mais avec des amis cette fois. J'ai aussi découvert les produits du Domaine à la SAQ. Je recommande l'endroit pour une visite ou pour y passer une partie de votre journée. Ils ont même des salles de réception.... c'est à voir tout ça!