Quebec is full of culture, nature, and friendly French-speaking people! We recently visited the Eastern Townships in the province of Quebec for a wine and cheese roadtrip. Read on for our guide on why you should spend a long weekend in this part of the world this summer, especially if you are from New England.
Why Go to the Eastern Townships in Quebec
Quebec is filled with so much to see and do. If you like to be outdoors there are miles and miles of biking and hiking trails, if you are a foodie there are lots of amazing farm-to-table restaurants to check out, if you are a history buff there are plenty of cultural spots to check out and if you just want a luxurious weekend away there are some great spots to just relax.
Eastern Townships First Stop – Spa Eastman
Quebec is huge so we recommend renting a car and driving to a few different spots. For us we visited the Eastern Townships, so our first stop was about an hour from Montreal Airport, Spa Eastman. Spa Eastman is a wellness resort, people come here to reset their whole being. Everything from the food to the activities are geared towards balancing your body. The resort specializes in “Tonic Cuisine”, which is a unique blend of plant based and lean meat ingredients, prepared in a mindful way so that your body receives all the nutrients it needs and none of the toxins found in a traditional Western diet.
This paired with a day filled with hiking and thermotherapy, you are sure to leave feeling better than when you arrived.
After a healthy and gluten free breakfast you are going to want to take a stroll through their wooded trails and after you have gotten some exercise it is time to come back in for lunch. The menu rotates daily, but expect fresh cold appetizers at the buffet and a choice of hot entrée, and a satisfying but mindful dessert.
Then in the afternoon you are going to want to do the thermotherapy circuit which includes several different saunas, pools, plunges and more. And finally at dinner time, it is time to enjoy the Tonic Cuisine again. We tried the lean meat options since we went full Vegan at lunchtime.
Second Stop – Cheese Tastings
After a nice detox at Spa Eastman we were ready to take on the rest of the weekend. And we were off to do some cheese tastings. First, we visited Domaine de Courval, in Waterville, Quebec, which is an artisanal goat farm. The husband and wife team, Lucy and Gregory Sangiuliani, make a variety of certified organic goat cheeses. The cheeses are all made by hand and when you visit you can sample the cheeses and even meet the goats!
After trying lots of goat cheese it was time to head to Fromagerie La Station, an organic cow’s cheese farm. We had a lovely tour around the entire farm and cheese making facility, which even included a tour through their many cheese caves. Similar to wine, wash-rind cheese needs to age in a “cave.”
Their most popular cheese the Alfred Le Fermier (firm cheese) and the Comtomme (semi-firm cheese) are perfect for a snack on their terrace! It was so much fun trying all the cheeses, learning about the cheese-making process and seeing the cows!
Next – Wine Tasting in the Eastern Townships
What comes naturally after a cheese tasting, a wine tasting of course! At Vignoble Le Cep d’Argent we had a wonderful private tour of their champagne cellar and tried a variety of delicious wines. The owner and founder Jean-Paul Scieur, told us all about his family’s history in wine making back in the Champagne region of France and why he and his brother chose the Eastern Townships to grow grapes and bring their knowledge of French wine to Quebec. We even learned how to saber a wine bottle!
Fourth Stop – Manoir Hovey
That evening we stayed at Manoir Hovey, a Relais & Châteaux property. Located on Lake Massawippi, the beautiful mansion built at the turn of the century as a private estate modeled after George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The home was converted to a hotel in 1950, and is now a year-round resort. Our suite was just delightful.
From the classically chic furnishing to the huge balcony overlooking to the lake, it was just the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring. And when it came time for dinner we were also in for a treat.
The on property restaurant, Le Hatley, is a must if you are staying at Manoir Hovey. Chef Alexandre Vachon and Chef Paul Roberts’ menu is seasonal, creative and delicious! Each dish from the muse bouche to the dessert is worth every bite. The Burnt Carrot Agnolotti, Halibut Filet and the sweetbreads are particular standouts.
And we woke up the next morning to to a fabulous breakfast, just the sort of them to prepare us for another busy day!
Heading Back to Montreal
Even as we headed back to Montreal we had time to make a few more fun stops. First up, was the Leon Courville Vineyard. Producing red and white wines, aged wines in oak barrels, late harvest, ice wines, and sparkling wines, the estate should be on the wine lovers list.
And finally for a quick and healthy lunch we dined at Gaia in Bromont. Gaia is a vegan restaurant that focuses on “organic & biodynamic” foods. We tried the Blue magic acai bowl, veggie panini and the pesto crepe. Everything was fresh, tasty and vegan! And before we knew it, it was time to head to the airport after a whirlwind weekend in the Eastern Townships of Quebec!
For more information on the Eastern Townships and Quebec visit https://www.quebecoriginal.com/en-us for information on best times to visit, sample itineraries, events, maps and more! And for more ideas on Canada trips, read all about Montreal and Prince Edward Island!