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Domaine l’Ange Gardien vineyard—from passion to glass

Interviews

Domaine l’Ange Gardien vineyard—from passion to glass

On 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!

Published on November 14, 2022

The Domaine l’Ange Gardien vineyard, overlooking the Saint Lawrence, is the passion project of true wine lovers. The founders, who all come from different professional backgrounds, decided in 2004 to dedicate their free time to winemaking. 

From the moment I arrived, I received a warm welcome from Bruno, one of the four founders, who gave me a tour of the vineyard. We walked to the property’s highest point, where he showed me the many types of vines they cultivate and described the particularities of each varietal with great enthusiasm. Before walking back down to the production area, we made a detour to enjoy a gorgeous vista—a must-see on any tour here—where the vines and the Saint Lawrence create a breathtaking panorama!

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Best job on earth

We then made our way to the winery, where the magic happens. Or as the owners call it, the operating room. This is where grapes are transformed into wine, so everything has to be scrupulously disinfected and sterilized. And yet the moment I stepped inside, the gentle yet intoxicating aroma of wine wafted over me.

That’s where I met Jean-Louis, who’s the brains behind the winemaking here. Having worked at several other vineyards before co-founding Domaine l’Ange Gardien, he’s become a true expert in the field over the years. But above all, he’s a wine lover. He explained their process, and I was quite surprised at the level of detail and care required to ensure the highest quality products.

“Making wine is the best job on earth,” Jean-Louis told me at the end of his presentation. 

Flow, mighty river

I continued my visit with Bruno, which ended at the boutique where it was time to taste the products. My favourite part of any tour! I had had the chance to try one of their wines at a restaurant a few years ago and had loved it. This time I sampled several, and I wasn’t disappointed! From Côte de Beaupré, their top-selling red, to their ice cider and their new orange wine, my taste buds were more than satisfied.

Before leaving, I asked them why they chose this spot—on this property overlooking the Saint Lawrence. That’s when he told me about the strategic role the river plays in winemaking. It seems that it acts as a buffer for seasonal temperature changes, which serves to protect the vines. In the winter, the river causes significant snowfall. As a result, the producers don’t have to continually cover the vines and can rest easy knowing they won’t be damaged during the colder months.

This lovely visit to Domaine l’Ange Gardien allowed me to discover delicious wine made practically in my own backyard, but most of all I had the chance to meet the people and stories behind the products. They truly take pleasure in sharing their knowledge, which makes the experience even more unique. Stop by and say hi—you’re sure to be enchanted, too!

www.vignoblelangegardien.com

6869 Avenue Royale
L'Ange-Gardien
Québec, G0A 2K0

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