Lea GagnonVin-tastic adventures: Best wine tastings in & around Montreal
I’ll admit it: I may have a slight obsession with wine. But hey, who can blame me? Montreal is a city that celebrates the finer things in life, and that includes a damn good glass of vino.
Join me as I spill the (wine) beans on my favourite haunts, from the swanky wine bars where the sommeliers know their stuff to the hole-in-the-wall joints where the only thing more intoxicating than the drinks is the conversation.
Les Cavistes
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Location: 196 Rue Fleury O, Montréal, QC H3L 1T5, Canada
Contact: +1 514-508-5033
Operating hours:
- Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday – 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Les Cavistes is a wine lover’s paradise where over 100 exclusive labels line the walls like treasures waiting to be discovered.
The moment you walk in, the mouthwatering aromas of bistro-style dishes and the cheerful clinking of wine glasses invite you in. It’s pure indulgence, honestly.
What’s great about them is their workshops that run for about two and a half hours. It’s a casual yet informative experience where you can learn about grape varieties, terroirs, regions, and appellations without needing a PhD in oenology.
Once you’re here, make sure not to miss their wine and appetiser pairings at Buvette Cerise on Wednesdays!
Lundis au Soleil
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Location: 801 Rue Jarry E, Montréal, QC H2P 1W6, Canada
Contact: +1 514-419-0606
Operating hours:
- Monday – 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Tuesday to Wednesday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday – 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
This hidden gem on Beaubien Street East is a haven for those who appreciate a good glass of vino and a laid-back atmosphere.
Every weekend, they open their tasting room and invite you to embark on a flavour-filled adventure. For a mere $15, you’re treated to five carefully curated wines, each one a tantalising tango of aromas and tastes.
But wait, there’s more! If you’re planning to buy a bottle, the tasting fee gets knocked off the price. That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.
La Buvette Chez Simone
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Location: 4869 Park Ave, Montreal, Quebec H2V 4E7, Canada
Contact: +1 514-750-6577
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 4:00 AM to 1:00 AM
While La Buvette doesn’t offer formal, structured tastings, its ever-changing wine selection is an adventure in itself. Think of it as a choose-your-own-tasting experience.
Prices? Let’s just say they won’t break the bank. Glasses typically range from $10 to $20, depending on your choice of nectar. And who knows, you might stumble upon a hidden gem for a fraction of the price.
They also often have happy hour specials and themed tasting events that highlight specific regions or types of wine.
BarBara
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Location: 4450 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, Quebec H4C 1S1, Canada
Contact: +1 438-375-7209
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 8:00 AM to 1:00 AM
BarBara is known for its wine cellar that’s meticulously curated by Catherine Draws. With years of experience and background at the renowned Lili Co., Catherine has selected wines from small producers, both local and international
What’s great about this place is that it encourages you to explore. You can order by the glass (prices start around $10, a steal for the quality!) or by the bottle. The staff here are also always on hand to guide you towards your perfect match.
They’re all about creating a relaxed, convivial atmosphere where you can discover new wines at your own pace. They’ve even got a “dispensa” (a mini Italian grocery store) where you can pick up some gourmet goodies to pair with your vino.
Domaine du Ridge
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Location: 205 Chem. Ridge, Saint-Armand, QC J0J 1T0, Canada
Contact: +1 450-248-3987
Operating hours:
- Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
At Domaine du Ridge, wine tastings are a real treat! Their packages, like “L’épicurien” (starts at $45) offer guided tours with tastings, local cheeses, charcuterie, and even a branded glass to take home.
It’s the perfect blend of indulgence and education, all while sipping on their delightful wines. And let’s face it, you’ll definitely want to grab a bottle (or two) to relive the fun at home.
Aside from regular wine tastings, they also offer various special events and packages throughout the year. These include group events, grape stomping during the harvest season, and special activities tailored for wine enthusiasts.
Vignoble Rivière du Chêne
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Location: 807 Chem. de la Rivière N, Saint-Eustache, QC J7R 0J5, Canada
Contact: +1 450-491-3997
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Tucked away in the Basses-Laurentides region, Vignoble Rivière du Chêne is a wine lover’s dream come true. Picture this: 25 hectares of sprawling vines, a sun-drenched terrace, and a bistro ready to serve up a feast that pairs perfectly with your favourite glass.
But the real magic happens during their wine tastings. For just $22, you can embark on a guided tour of their flavours, complete with a souvenir glass to commemorate the experience.
Feeling a little fancy? Opt for the VIP tour, a behind-the-scenes look at their winemaking process topped off with a tasting of their exclusive 25th-anniversary cuvée.
Domaine Les Brome
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Location: 285 Chem. Brome, Fulford, QC J0E 1S0, Canada
Contact: +1 450-243-0266
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
With 18 hectares of vines lovingly tended by winemaker Léon Courville, you know this place is serious about its grapes. But don’t let that intimidate you – the atmosphere is as relaxed as a Sunday afternoon.
But let’s get down to the good stuff, shall we? For a mere $10, you can embark on a tasting journey through five of their finest wines.
However, if you want something better, we recommend trying their gourmet tasting, priced at $25. It offers a curated selection of their best wines paired with local cheeses and charcuterie.
Le Château Taillefer Lafon – Winery & Cidery
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Location: 1500 Mnt Champagne, Laval, QC H7X 4H9, Canada
Contact: +1 450-689-0030
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Château Taillefer Lafon is a full-on fairytale experience. We’re talking about a majestic castle surrounded by lush vineyards, a Louis XVI salon that’ll make you feel like royalty, and a mediaeval-themed tasting room straight out of Game of Thrones.
For $15, you can embark on a tasting adventure that’ll tickle your taste buds and expand your wine knowledge.
What’s even better is that you can join their wine club through their website and unlock exclusive benefits like access to a selection of prestigious wines, special prices on cases of wine and cider, and even discounts and guaranteed reservations for Château events.
Coteau Rougemont – Vignoble & Cidrerie
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Location: 1110 La Petite-Caroline, Rougemont, Québec J0L 1M0, Canada
Contact: +1 450-469-3090
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Thursday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Coteau Rougemont – Vignoble & Cidrerie is best known for its lovely terrace where you can relax and enjoy their wine and cider tastings. For just $15, you can try their standard tasting experience that features a selection of four delightful wines: Versant Blanc, Versant Orange, Versant Rosé, and Versant Rouge.
Additionally, every Wednesday in the summer, you can enjoy their “Mercure” promotion: receive a 1% discount on tasting palettes for each degree Celsius recorded at the opening of their Rougemont boutique. The hotter the day, the more you save!
Keep in mind that wine and cider tastings are offered separately. For cider enthusiasts, a dedicated tasting experience is available for $14, featuring Blueberry and Haskap Cider, Raspberry Fizz, Pear Fizz, and Ice Cider.
Vignoble du Marathonien
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Location: 318 Rte 202, Havelock, Quebec J0S 2C0, Canada
Contact: +1 450-826-0522
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
This charming vineyard, dating back to 1990, boasts a rich history and sprawls across two hectares of land home to 7,000 vine plants that have matured over decades.
This serene setting not only offers great wines but also a relaxing environment perfect for a day out in nature.
But what sets Vignoble du Marathonien apart from the rest is its exquisite ice wine. Made from Vidal grapes, this nectar of the gods boasts complex flavours of dried apricot, honey, and caramel, making it a truly unique tasting experience. And trust me, for just $15, it’s worth it.
