Quebec has found its first \u201cwine house\u201d in Maison des vins de Brome-Missisquoi.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t to replace the vineyards, but to peak people\u2019s curiosity in the region\u2019s viticulture to encourage them to visit the vineyards and discover the unique world of wine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe 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. (\u2026) 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,\u201d said Marine Pernelle, development agent officer for the Town of Dunham.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJust 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,\u201d explained Pernelle. \u201cSo, it was a good idea to transform the touristic information into something else.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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 \u201cwine house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe mission is Maison des vins is to promote and enhance Quebec\u2019s wine heritage\u00a0 <\/span>and showcase Brome-Missisquoi winemakers. It\u2019s also to inform and educate visitors about the world of wine and invite them to activities to participate in the region\u2019s viticulture,\u201d said Pernelle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pernelle noted that the goal of Maison des vins isn\u2019t to replace the vineyards, but to work \u201cparallel\u201d alongside one another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe just want to develop the curiosity of the visitor because the main goal will be for them to visit the vineyards. We don\u2019t want to be one more thing that takes the place of the vineyards,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Throughout the summer, workshops will be coordinated with some of the region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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,\u201d mentioned Pernelle.<\/p>\n It will also serve as a drop-off point or picnic baskets from La Famille Buvette de Village.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOne of the goals of the Route des vins (the region\u2019s 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,\u201d said Pernelle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While Maison des vins currently cannot sell wine due to regulations surrounding permits, Pernelle hopes to get some on the shelves by next year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI 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,\u201d explained Pernelle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n