Domaine Pinnacle in all its autumn colors. |
A number of autumns ago I spent time in Quebec's Eastern Townships (Cantons de l'Est), and what a beautiful season to be in this part of Canada. The leaves are changing, there's a hint of wood smoke in the air, and it's a fine time to bundle up and go for a walk and soak up the fading sun.
This is the province's agritourism and wine growing region, and the Wine Route (Las Route des Vins) links 16 wineries and nine communities along the 140 km (80 mile) trail. It's also an area of holiday resorts, cozy inns and charming villages. And yes, fabulous cuisine.
Domaine Pinnacle was my first stop, owned by Susan and Charles Crawford. The 430-acre apple orchard and cidery is located on the southern slopes of Pinnacle Mountain near the historic village of Frelighsburg, one of 35 Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec. With its location on the 45th parallel, plus sunny summers and icy cold winters, it's well suited for apple production. The first sparkling ice cider in the world was launched here.
Cidrerie Fleurs de pommier is now Union Libre. |
Sabering a bottle of sparkly at Vignoble de l'Orpailleur! |
Chocolates at Musee du chocolate. |
Duck leg confit salad at Auberge Quilliams. |
Manoir Hovey is a member of Relaix & Chateaux. |
Lots of walking and hiking at Mont Orford. |
Stanstead's claim to fame is its location on the Canada-United States border across from Derby Line, Vermont. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, built between 1901-1904, is unique since library patrons from either side of the border may enter the building without passing through customs. The international boundary is marked with a black line across the floor (a popular place for picture posing!). The entrance and half of the reading room are in the US, whle the other half of the reading room and all of the books are on the Canadian side.
The border runs through the Haskell Free Library. |
Autumn morning in North Hatley, Quebec. |
Photos by Sue Frause