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Anne Monna from Cassis Monna & Filles

Interviews

Discover the rich world of blackcurrants with a visit to Cassis Monna et Filles

When you arrive on Île d’Orléans, take a left at the first intersection and you’ll reach Cassis Monna et Filles in no time. Anne Monna, one of the sister-owners, welcomes me like an old friend. “We’re girls who love to celebrate and host parties. We created a place that reflects who we are.”

Published on November 28, 2022

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For the love of blackcurrants

Anne and her sister Catherine took over the family business 20 years ago. Anne tells me proudly that they’re the fifth generation of liquorists in the Monna clan—it’s clear that blackcurrants are their passion. 

Cassis Monna et Filles was the first large-scale blackcurrant producer in Québec. “It took a Frenchman to help us rediscover a berry that’s part of our history and terroir.” Not well known in North America, blackcurrants are very popular in Europe and Asia. The girls’ father, who’s from the south of France, moved to Île d’Orléans in the ’70s. Bernard Monna knew that blackcurrants love the cold: “And if there’s one thing we have in spades in Québec, it’s cold temperatures!”

And now 30 years later, Cassis Monna et Filles produces several types of blackcurrant-based alcohol: wines, a crème de cassis, a gin and even a vodka. The sisters employ the principles of a circular economy to make their products. The entire blackcurrant plant is used—from the fruit and the branches to the leaves—regardless of what type of alcohol is being created. 

Cassis Monna & Filles' iconic crème de cassis (Photo: Mikael Lebleu)Cassis Monna & Filles' iconic crème de cassis (Photo: Mikael Lebleu)
Cassis Monna & Filles' iconic crème de cassis (Photo: Mikael Lebleu)

The customer experience is everything

“We made a playground available to visitors. We want guests to have their own experience and we want them to fall in love with us.” It’s quite easy to spend an entire day at Cassis Monna et Filles without ever getting bored. 

On site, you can have a self-guided tasting or enjoy the services of a host to walk you through the products you’re trying. History buffs can visit the economuseum to learn more about blackcurrants and the estate. If you get hungry, just head to La Monnaguette, located at the top of the iconic staircase, a restaurant that’s been in operation for 20 years, which features blackcurrants in its main courses and side dishes. Want something sweet? Swing by the ice cream parlour for a scoop of their famous… blackcurrant ice cream!  

For the full experience, grab a bite at restaurant La Monaguette (Photo: Mikael Lebleu)For the full experience, grab a bite at restaurant La Monaguette (Photo: Mikael Lebleu)
For the full experience, grab a bite at restaurant La Monaguette (Photo: Mikael Lebleu)

cassismonna.com

1225, chemin Royal
Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans
Québec, G0A 4E0

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