Quebec has found its first “wine house” in Maison des vins de Brome-Missisquoi.

Maison des vins is a project led by the Town of Dunham and it will provide Brome-Missisquoi winemakers with a space to introduce their products, connect with residents and visitors, and show off their craft. The goal of Maison des vins isn’t to replace the vineyards, but to peak people’s curiosity in the region’s viticulture to encourage them to visit the vineyards and discover the unique world of wine. 

“The project has been in the box since the early 2000s because for the winemakers, it was really difficult for them to sell their wine outside the vineyard. (…) They were able to sell their wines only at the vineyard. The idea was to create a Maison des vins where they can sell the wine of Dunham vineyards,” said Marine Pernelle, development agent officer for the Town of Dunham. 

Pernelle said that things began to change in Quebec, and, eventually, winemakers were able to sell their products through restaurants and hotels. The changes resulted in the project being put on the back burner, but now Maison des vins is back with a new mission. 

“Just before the pandemic, one of the employees of the tourism information in Dunham spoke about doing a Maison des vins because 90 per cent of the people going to the touristic information are asking for information about the vineyards,” explained Pernelle. “So, it was a good idea to transform the touristic information into something else.” 

Collaborating with the CLD Brome-Missisquoi and Brome-Missisquoi wine makers, with the financial support of the MRC Brome-Missisquoi, the Town of Dunham, and the provincial government, Quebec officially has its first “wine house.”

“The mission is Maison des vins is to promote and enhance Quebec’s wine heritage  and showcase Brome-Missisquoi winemakers. It’s also to inform and educate visitors about the world of wine and invite them to activities to participate in the region’s viticulture,” said Pernelle. 

Pernelle noted that the goal of Maison des vins isn’t to replace the vineyards, but to work “parallel” alongside one another. 

“We just want to develop the curiosity of the visitor because the main goal will be for them to visit the vineyards. We don’t want to be one more thing that takes the place of the vineyards,” she said. 

Throughout the summer, workshops will be coordinated with some of the region’s winemakers and/or sommeliers. With education being an important part of its mission, Pernelle said that Maison des vins wants to provide some knowledge so that when people visit the vineyards they begin to ask questions.

“We are to having interpretation boards with the history of the vineyards of Brome-Missiquoi, tasting tips, and things like that. Of course, some winemakers will come to the Maison des vins. We are going to organize some workshops with winemakers and also sommeliers so people can come taste the wine,” mentioned Pernelle.

It will also serve as a drop-off point or picnic baskets from La Famille Buvette de Village. 

“One of the goals of the Route des vins (the region’s wine route) this year is to promote picnics in the vineyards. So, we thought it would be a good idea to have picnics at Maison des vins,” said Pernelle. 

While Maison des vins currently cannot sell wine due to regulations surrounding permits, Pernelle hopes to get some on the shelves by next year. 

“I should have a grocery permit, but with a grocery permit I need got have $5,000 of produce, that is not alcohol, in stock. Our goal is not to create a grocery store, so we have to find a way to sell wine,” explained Pernelle. 

Until Labor Day, Maison des Vins is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Scheduled workshops and tastings can be found on La Route des vins de Brome-Missisquoi’s website.

Listen to the full interview below: