THE ORCHARD
A COHABITATION OF FRUIT
At Domaine des Salamandres, pear trees and vines commingle, and their marriage forms the basis of our firm’s identity.
The fruit seasons succeed one another, and the products that result pay them tribute.
THE PEAR
When we founded the orchard, pear growing wasn’t very widespread in Québec. We decided on it very quickly as a way of setting ourselves apart from the people in the area, where the apple was a dominant presence. After a few tries, four varieties made their home in the family orchard: the Flemish beauty, the Bosc, the D’Anjou and the Bartlett. All these fruit are processed at the vineyard.
A RESILIENT PEAR
Our pears are juicy and keep well. They’re more difficult to turn into wine, but they survive our winters well and are resistant to disease. And it’s then thanks to our work as craftspeople that we’ve managed to bring them to a glorious state.
From these pears that we got to know well were born unique products that have forged our reputation, such as Ice Perry, Classic Perry and the Tabarnak and Limited varieties.
THE GRAPE
We’ve always had the desire to harmonize our production with the northern climate in which we live. To that end, we opt for hardy varieties, adapted to Québec winters. The sole exception: Geisenheim, whose particular flavor profile quickly won us over. In 2021, the vineyard consists of 8,000 vines from the Vidal, Geisenheim, Seyval Blanc, Frontenac rouge and Frontenac gris varieties. What's more, there are expansion projects on the horizon!
Besides desert wines and ice wines, these different varieties make their way into white wines and maceration wines. What results are lively, fresh products, testimony to the terroir that sees them thrive.
RESPECTING THE NATURE
For a long time our vineyard has been operated under an organic management system, corresponding as that does to our values of respect for the environment and for biodiversity.
In 2011, nature taught us a lesson that compelled us take a new direction, but without ever moving away from our values. A problem involving a beetle called the rose chafer led to our almost losing a large part of our plants’ leaves. The defenses certified by an organic regime were no match for these ravaging effects. Faced with this case of force majeure, we put the certification to one side and took the measures needed to save our plants.
Our agricultural management and our culture nevertheless remain minimalist, considered and environmentally responsible. We use a minimum of chemical additives, and our weeding is done mechanically.
THE SALAMANDER
Ten species of salamander live on estate land, one of them being the Allegheny mountain dusky salamander. This species, threatened in Québec, is found in only two places in Canada: the Niagara, Ontario region, and here, around Covey Hill.
COHABITING WITH THE SALAMANDER
The organization Nature Conservancy Canada is carrying out a research project for the protection of this amphibian’s natural habitat around Covey Hill. The study, conducted in the form of a natural laboratory, seeks to understand the factors that contribute to decline in salamander colonies. At our estate, we believe in the importance of preserving this natural environment. We make certain that our operations have the least possible negative impact on this fragile space for life.
The family’s first encounter with the salamanders was quite the surprise. During the dismantling of the previous owner’s wine cellar, we stumbled on an entire colony of salamanders. And right away we understood that we were in their home as much as they were in ours! Thus did cohabitation begin with this fascinating and wonderful species. When our family wanted to give the estate a name that was representative of the place and the region, salamander was a natural choice.
OUR PRODUCTS
KNOWHOW AND HUMILITY ARE WHAT GUIDES US BOTH IN THE GROWING OF OUR FRUIT AND IN THE
WINE-MAKING PROCESS.
Our approach is aligned with our values, meaning that our processing methods are carefully thought-out: we use as few chemical inputs and sulfites as possible and we work with natural yeasts, except where it’s unfeasible to do so. That also explains why most of our products may develop a slight fizz.
Our pear and apple products keep you company from aperitif to digestive, running the gamut from dry to sweet. Thanks to true craftsmanship aimed at making the best of our fruit available, we can offer you a complete range, mature and varied, for which we’ve earned numerous awards. Our brand image perfectly reflects our approach to things: at one and the same time classic, timeless and contemporary.
