Loïc Chanut

Loïc Chanut holds a degree in oenology from the University of Montpellier in France. For five years, he worked as a sommelier-buyer for the Galeries Lafayette-Monoprix Group in France under the guidance of Bruno Quenioux, who taught him “the true craft of wine,” reshaping his oenological knowledge with the ultimate goal of creating authenticity using living ingredients. For more than 10 years, Loïc has worked to replace standardized, destructive practices with traditional agriculture and modern oenology.

Since 2003, he has been in charge of processing, applied research and innovation at the cider mill Face Cachée de la Pomme as oenologist-winemaker and cellarmaster. In 2004, he started Le Domaine des Salamandres with Denise to innovate in the production of pear ice wine and other pear products as well as ice wine. They are experimenting with ancestral viticulture and arboriculture to protect their estate for future generations, their health and the health of consumers.

His spouse, Michelle Boyer, is the estate’s accountant.

Denise Lavoie

Denise Lavoie worked as a hair stylist for 22 ans. She and her spouse, Sylvain Haut, wanted to offer a better quality of life to their children and live closer to the land, so they bought a home on Covey Hill Road in Hemmingford in 2001.

Since 2004, Denise has worked as a school bus driver in the area. She is self-taught, and her work schedule gives her plenty of time to work in the estate’s vineyards. Since the opening of the estate’s boutique, she now works with the public, welcoming clients to the estate.

In 2003, Sylvain met Loïc working for the same company. Together, they decided to consolidate their common skills into a pastime: starting a vineyard. The project grew from a pastime into the creation of the Domaine des Salamandres.

Colette Chicoine

Colette Chicoine has been part of the estate’s team since she began working as the business development and branding officer for Le Domaine des Salamandres. She is also an ice wine representative for sommeliers in high-end restaurants across Québec. Trained as a stylist, Colette is a designer and artistic director as well as a PR agent for arts and culture events.