Join us on a farm tour of the Eastern Townships of Quebec, meet the folks to grow the food and make the wine in the towns of Dunham, Bromont and Frelighsburg.
The Eastern Townships of Quebec offer a rich tapestry of agricultural experiences, adventure, and culinary delights, making it a must-visit destination for those who appreciate farm-to-fork dining.
We explore this vibrant region, known for its stunning landscapes, mountains local vineyards, and a plethora of agri-tourism opportunities. Our journey takes us through charming towns like Dunham, Bromont, and Frelighsburg, where we stay at the welcoming Gite La Maison Bleu and dine at Espace Old Mill, enjoying meals crafted from locally sourced ingredients.
We also visit innovative cideries and partake in activities such as mountain biking and disc golf, all while soaking in the views of the Vermont mountains. Join us as we discover the unique flavors and stories that this nearby region has to offer.
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Today on Gonomad, we're heading north to the Eastern Townships of Quebec, a region just 10 minutes from the Vermont border that's bursting with farms, forests, vineyards and flavor.
Speaker A:This is a place where agriculture meets adventure and where every meal comes with a story.
Speaker A:I got an email from Tituen Bussier, a local tourism rep, inviting us to explore his region from Broom Mizikoi to the Megantic.
Speaker A:Nine territories, four ski areas, four national parks, 30 vineyards and a whopping 180 agri tourism businesses.
Speaker A:If you love meeting farmers and tasting the land, this is your place.
Speaker A:We decided to visit in August when the weather is perfect and the harvest is in full swing.
Speaker A:Our first stop was Bromont, a lovely town with shops, art galleries and views of Mont Sutton around every corner.
Speaker A:We stayed in Dunham at Guit La Maison Bleu, a cozy bed and breakfast that felt like home.
Speaker A:Egyptian cotton sheets, a fridge stocked with wine and beer, and a Keurig ready to go.
Speaker A:The owners, Martine and Eric, along with their friendly basset hound Lily, made us feel like family.
Speaker A:Breakfast was a masterpiece.
Speaker A:The most beautiful plate I'd seen in months.
Speaker A:The next morning we visited Domain Heritage Cidery in Freylichsburg.
Speaker A:Tom Rand, a California transplant, runs this carbon neutral cider farm with his Quebec wife and young son.
Speaker A:He makes sparkling sugar free ciders from the century old apple trees there and loves to talk about climate change, cider making and everything in between.
Speaker A:The views of the Vermont mountains from his farm are stunning.
Speaker A:Next up, fitness.
Speaker A:We stopped at the Centre Discycling in Bromont for a spin on the mountain bike trails.
Speaker A:But the real surprise was inside pickleball courts set up in a massive wooden gym surrounded by the Sylvan Adams Velodrome.
Speaker A:I found some worthy opponents and got in a few games, just like I do back home in South Deerfield.
Speaker A:Bromont reminded me of Manchester, Vermont or Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Speaker A:A long main street full of eclectic shops and food stores, including one with a huge selection of Korean and Japanese noodles.
Speaker A:We stopped at Cafe en Latte for a creamy afternoon.
Speaker A:Pick me up.
Speaker A:The next day was all about food and farming.
Speaker A:First stop, Ferm Cedricol Equinox, run by Audrey Ann Lussier and Marc Antoine Arsinoe Chasen.
Speaker A:This is Quebec's first cider farm, inspired by a trip to Normandy.
Speaker A:They grow their own fruit, ferment it with wild flora and use no artificial ingredients.
Speaker A:Audrey Ann took us on a tour that started with a flock of golden ducks splashing in a pond.
Speaker A:They'll be on the menu in A year from now, we saw a lone cow in the field and heard about the drought that's affecting their water supply.
Speaker A:They serve poutine, bischetta, charcuterie and apple fritters, all made from their own ingredients and their farm.
Speaker A:Then we visited the restaurant Espace Old Mill, where Jean Martin Fortier creates a farm to fork experience that starts right in this garden.
Speaker A:You're greeted with a glass of wine and then a tour of the vegetables that will end up on your plate.
Speaker A:We saw tiny piquant peppers from Jamaica, heirloom tomatoes and aromatic herbs like shisho, sweet woodruff and marigold.
Speaker A:Just down the road is Vignoble d', Opeli, a winery named after a gold digger.
Speaker A:Their restaurant, Tire de Polerie, served us a lunch of delicate cod and a dreamy onion tart paired with their Quebec grown wines.
Speaker A:Tours are available to see the whole winemaking process here.
Speaker A:Among many vineyards.
Speaker A:The Eastern Townships Mont Satin looms large in this region.
Speaker A:It offers 44 km of mountain bike trails, a giant zip line over a 1km long, and another with twists and turns.
Speaker A:You can play disc golf, take a chairlift to the buyer of the scenery or hike through the forest.
Speaker A:We played disc golf with Julian Queneville, a ranked pro who takes the sport very seriously.
Speaker A:Mont Sutton's 18 hole course runs along the slopes, making it easy to walk between the holes.
Speaker A:Disc golf is growing fast in Quebec.
Speaker A:There's 83 courses across the province, Julian told us.
Speaker A:One of the world's top courses is right in nearby Greenfield.
Speaker A:It's called Westy Acres.
Speaker A:So if you're looking for a place where you can sip cider, play pickleball, tour farms and eat food that comes straight from the garden, the Eastern Townships of Quebec are calling.
Speaker A:It's a region that's rich in flavor, full of character and just a short drive from the US border.
Speaker A:Find out more on gonomad.com.