Free in-store delivery with purchases of $75+ in an estimated 3 to 5 business days.
The union representing our store employees recently obtained a mandate for up to 15 days’ worth of strike hours. 
Favourite store:
More details
Less details
The Cartier-Potelle experience starts the minute you turn off the main road and make your way down the sideroad leading to the winery. As you pass the apple trees, you can’t help but admire the view of Mont Rougemont, an impressive sight no matter the season. Today is one of the last days to take in the fall colours and for the magnificent sun to turn the maples an even deeper shade of red.
I met up with Jean-Pierre Potelle (who founded the winery with his wife, Josée Cartier, and her brother David) in the winery to start the day off on the right foot by uncorking a bottle of sparkling cider. We walked through the orchard, where the ground was covered in ripe apples. No doubt about it, Rougemont’s title of Quebec’s apple capital is well deserved. Jean-Pierre explained that the orchard had been there for several generations and that when they bought the property just over 10 years earlier, their first impulse was to make ice cider. Why? Because it’s a typical Quebec product and they’re proud of that.
Plan your visit on Vaolo
An opportunity and a bit of madness
Jean-Pierre told me that what was supposed to be a retirement project materialized earlier than expected when the trio decided to acquire the property, on which a few vines were already growing. The most impressive part of the story is that at the time, none of them knew anything about winemaking. Jean-Pierre quit his job as a computer programmer to devote his time to the project. The three partners took part in a series of training sessions and discussions with the former owner to gain the required knowledge. They produced their first batch of cider in 2012 and their first batch of wine in 2015. Today, the winery enjoys a solid reputation.
A magical place
I often ask winemakers about the intention behind their project. What did you want to create? What do you want people to feel when they visit? What is the Cartier-Potelle experience, exactly? Jean-Pierre began by saying, “Now that’s a good question.” I was flattered! “For one, we like the fact that when people come here, they also visit a few other sites to taste the wines and ciders of nearby producers,” he continued. “What we’d like is for the people who come to the estate to find the surroundings beautiful and the products delicious. That’s why we built this space, with these high ceilings, the room upstairs and the terrace with a view of the orchard and vineyard.” It’s true—when you take in the view of the valley, you feel a sense of calm and inner peace. Add in wine and cider tasting and a cheese platter, and you have the makings of a heavenly day. I must admit that I had a weakness for Le Fortifié cider, a perfect blend of ice cider and apple brandy, with notes of maple syrup and roasted coffee.
Timeless and blissful—this is how I’d describe the few hours I spent at Domaine Cartier-Potelle. Who knew that seventh heaven was right here in Montérégie!
277, Rang de la Montagne
Rougemont, QC, J0L 1M0
(450) 469-2000
In partnership with Vaolo
Discover Domaine Cartier-Potelle's products
-
Available Online Available In store -
Available Online Available In store
-
Available Online Available In store -
Available Online Available In store -
Available Online Available In store
Keep reading
-
Read moreIn southern Quebec, just a few kilometres from the U.S. border, a stand of maple trees opens onto rows of vines. It’s here in Havelock that Line and Jean Joly founded Vignoble du Marathonien, where they make one of Canada’s top ice wines.
-
Read moreSomewhere in Saint-Armand, in the Eastern Townships, there’s a gorgeous road lined with tall trees that leads to a wooden building at the heart of Domaine du Ridge. I recently had the pleasure of visiting this agritourism hot spot, which is also one of the most well-known vineyards in Quebec.
-
Read moreOn the road up to Mont Ste-Anne, just past the bridge to Île d’Orléans, I discovered a hidden gem—the Domaine l’Ange Gardien vineyard. Here, you can savour a glass of Côte de Beaupré and meet the friendly and knowledgeable winemakers. You’ll be charmed in no time!
Most recent
Measure to avoid destroying private import products taken possession of by the SAQ
Thinking outside the bottle: the ABCs of eco-responsible containers
For the 15th spring running, the SAQ launches its Food Banks of Quebec campaign
Lettre ouverte: Un projet qui bonifiera l’offre à nos clients
The SAQ announces net income of $522.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2023-2024
