The Eastern Townships are Quebec’s main wine-growing region. Around North Hatley, less than a 45-minute drive away, there are several wineries, distilleries, and gourmet food producers.
Here is a one-day loop hike that starts and ends at Chêne Rouge Station.
Recommended Itinerary (1 day)
Morning: Head toward Hatley
• Domaine Bergeville (Hatley Township, 10 min from North Hatley): organic sparkling wines
made using the traditional method. Founded in 2008 by Marc Théberge and Eve Rainville. Cuvées: Intégrale,
Composition, Canonique, L’Exception. Tours available during the summer season; by appointment the rest of
the year.
Noon: Agritourism break in Compton
• Fromagerie La Station (Compton, 20 min from North Hatley): farm-made cheeses made from raw and thermized milk
. Known for “Alfred le Fermier,” winner of “Best in Show” at the 2025 American
Cheese Society Competition. Comtomme, Chemin Hatley, Chemin du Brûlé, raclette.
On-site shop, free tastings.
• Compton Public Market: Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., June 18–September 17, 2026, at
Parc Lions. More than 25 producers: vegetable farmers, cheesemakers, bakers, honey, maple syrup.
Afternoon: Blackcurrants, aged wine, and distillery
• Domaine Ives Hill (Compton, 20 min from North Hatley): a blackcurrant farm (no vineyards)
with 7,000 plants. Producers of crème de cassis, “Cornélius” dry blackcurrant wine, “
” Cassigria aperitif, and Orsis liqueur. 3.5-km walking trail, open-access gift shop, guided tours with
, and tastings by reservation (minimum 15 people).
• Grange Hatley Vineyard (Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, 15 minutes from North Hatley): a small, off-the-beaten-path
vineyard with 3,600 vines, founded in 2009 by Jean-Paul Martin, a winemaker originally from
Burgundy. Produces only white wines (Riesling, Pinot Grigio, St-Pépin, LaCrescent);
approximately 5,000 bottles per year. Purchases by appointment only; the winery is not open to the
self-guided tours.
• Cherry River Distillery (Magog, 25 min from North Hatley): a distillery housed in a
150-year-old former church (St. Luke’s). Gins, vodkas, sparkling alcoholic beverages, bitters, and
syrups. Founded by Marc Dupré and Francis Delage. On-site shop and tasting room.
Evening: Return to North Hatley
• La Cie Vilandré Pub (North Hatley, 3050 Capelton Road): a family-run pub and microbrewery located
in the former Café Massawippi. Comfort food made with local ingredients, privately imported wines,
and craft beers brewed on-site.
Back to Chêne Rouge Station for a campfire with the bottles we bought along the way.
Practical Tips
• A designated driver is required. The route passes through rural roads with no public transportation.
• Book your tastings in advance, especially at Grange Hatley and Ives Hill (visits by appointment only).
• Bring a cooler for your purchases.
• The wineries are generally open from May through October, in the afternoons.
Where to stay after the “
” wine route? Station Chêne Rouge is 10 minutes from North Hatley and less than 30 minutes from all the stops on this route. 22 accommodations across 7 categories on a private mountain estate. Swimming pool, hiking trails, pet-friendly. 1 hour and 30 minutes from Montreal. To see all our accommodation options, click HERE
FAQ
Q: How many wineries are there in the Eastern Townships?
A: The Eastern Townships are home to more than twenty wineries, mainly along the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route
(near Dunham and Stanbridge) and the Estrie Wine Route (near Hatley, Compton,
Magog). It is Quebec’s leading wine-growing region.
Q: Can you complete the Eastern Townships Wine Route in a single day?
A: Yes. An itinerary with 4 to 5 stops is doable from North Hatley in a single day. To explore
more thoroughly (Dunham, Stanbridge), plan on two days.
Q: Which stops on the Eastern Townships Wine Route require a reservation?
A: Grange Hatley Vineyard and Domaine Ives Hill (groups only) are open by appointment. Domaine
Bergeville is open to the public during the summer season; outside of the summer season, it is open by appointment. Cherry River, Fromagerie
La Station, and Pub Vilandré are open to the public without a prior reservation.
FAQ
Through the neighboring vineyards: Domaine Bergeville in Hatley and Ives Hill in Compton, then the Brome-Missisquoi Road, about an hour away.
September and October: grape harvests, vibrant colors, and bountiful harvests. Summer brings outdoor dining and long evenings.
North Hatley is the perfect base camp: at Station Chêne Rouge, the forest and a campfire await you when you return from your wine tastings.
