The best cider makers near Montréal
Tourisme Montréal
Montréal is a foodie destination, but did you know it’s minutes from harvest heaven? Montérégie is an agricultural area literally just outside the city that produces renowned gastronomic products, including cheeses, honey, maple syrup, wine and chocolates. But it’s probably most famous for its apple orchards—and who says apples says cider! Take to the road for a daytrip on the official Cider Route, or make your own cider-centric adventure. And if you time your visit with early fall, combine your cider tour with an apple-picking day in one of the many u-pick orchards. Here are some notable spots.
In collaboration with Tourisme Montérégie.
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
At Le Flanc Nord, Verger et Cidrerie you can both pick their wide variety of apples and pears and enjoy all their wonderful by-products, including their award-winning ciders. There are playgrounds, animals to see, tractor rides and nighttime pumpkin picking hosted by witches during the Halloween period. Also in the area, Vergers Petit et fils is a cool orchard with a giant maze to explore. They serve crêpes, sell homemade products made from family recipes and their ciders have also won awards. Nearby, the Sullivan-Raymond Orchard is a great place to pick your own apples against a breathtaking view of Mont Saint-Hilaire.
Rougemont
This most famous of orchard towns is home to the renowned Michel Jodoin orchard, founded in 1901, a family-owned purveyor of raw ciders, sparkling ciders, rosé ciders, mistelles and their famous apple brandy. Take a moment to soak in their shop and welcome centre, and before leaving, make time for a walk along their 4.6 km Sentier Jean-Baptiste-Jodoin. While in the area, also explore Vignoble et cidrerie Coteau Rougemont for their award-winning wines and cider, not to mention their vast terrasse; Domaine Cartier-Potelle for some top-notch apple-picking in a beautiful environment; and Domaine de Lavoie for their wines as well as their ciders.
Mont-Saint-Grégoire
Enjoy a warm fresh crêpe with your cider? Head to Vergers et Cidrerie Denis Charbonneau, where they grow over 15 varieties of apple that are yours to pick (season permitting) in addition to selling gourmet products and serving traditional Breton pancakes in a picturesque atmosphere at the foot on Mont Saint-Grégoire. The owners’ cider-making expertise comes through in every sip of their ice ciders, rosé sparkling cider and Alice mistelle (an apple brandy aperitif).
Hemmingford
Cidrerie du Minot is a cidery located in a breathtaking stone cellar, with its own free cider museum and well-known products distributed at the Québec liquor commission. A pioneer of artisanal cider making since 1987, they craft sparking ciders, ice ciders, alcohol-free ciders and award-winning “cidres tranquilles”, designed to pair to perfection with a meal. Not far, Cidrerie et Distillerie C.E.Petch is a constantly evolving fourth-generation family cidery around since 1920. Their signature products include the Illicit Apple Pie or Ginger Pear moonshines, two unique liquors that have inspired them to develop a whole list of mouth-watering cocktails.
Franklin
A micro-cider house and distillery, Cidrerie Entre Pierre & Terre produces artisanal products from ancestral varieties of apples and pears. Try their limited edition seasonal brews or their mainstays, including their spiced apple brandy and orchard gin. While in the area, stop into the Ivanhoë Faille orchard and get picking! They offer apple-picking, a ton of products (including maple goodies) and a sugaring-off meal experience in spring. Sporty types are welcome to walk or cross-country ski their 30 km trails.
Notre-Dame-de-l’Ile-Perrot
The impressive Verger Labonté is worth the visit as much for the 20-plus varieties of apple you can pick as for the entertainment. You’ll find not one but three corn mazes onsite, as well as a farm-animal petting zoo and tractor rides for the young at heart. Stock up on local and homemade delicacies (try their fresh muffins) in the shop on the way out.