Our history

An orpailleur is someone who washes auriferous alluvium to extract the gold flakes found within.

On August 15, 1985, we had dinner at Frank Furtado's in Montreal. Gilles Vigneault was there, and we had him taste one of the rare bottles of white wine obtained in 1984 from vines... of second leaves! He was surprised and suggested the name "Vignoble de l'Orpailleur."

By burying our vines in winter, we are like gold panners who extract such precious nuggets from the earth.

L'Orpailleur was born that evening, around a bottle of wine, in the company of a great poet who gave us his full trust through his love for his country. And he offered us this poem, which remains etched in our memories, more than forty years later:

The Gold Panner is the one who washes auriferous alluvium to extract, through time, science, and patience, the gold flakes found within.

It is thus that for the first time in Quebec, winemakers applied science, patience, and the necessary time to extract from Quebec soil a dry wine, unique in every respect, from a grape variety planted and harvested here, and its grapes vinified at the vineyard according to the best traditions.

Its color, its fragrance, its aroma, and its bouquet are like so many gold flakes that recall the snows under which they spent the winter.

Here is L'Orpailleur! From the Dunham vineyard to your glass... it is authentically from here.

- Gilles Vigneault, 1985

A seminal work

In 1985, artist Claude Fleury created this artwork, which graced our first labels: our vineyard buried under snow...

L'Orpailleur, a beautiful human adventure

Four men came together to create this first vineyard, each bringing their talents with mutual trust. These four men? Two French and two Quebecers!

Photo: Charles-Henri de Coussergues, Pierre Rodrigue, Frank Furtado and Hervé Durand at the Provincial Tourism Awards in 1986

The team and the next generation

The thread of our story

1982

The Audacity of Pioneers

Purchase of the farm, planting of the first 720 vines, and first hilling-up to protect them from the cold.

1985

The first harvest

The vineyard yields its first 15,000 bottles of a dry and fruity white wine. We met with Gilles Vigneault who gave the vineyard its name: Vignoble de l'Orpailleur.

1989

Opening to the public

Launch of the first guided tours of the estate. A major milestone that will lay the foundations for the famous Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route.

1990

Opening of Le Tire-Bouchon restaurant

Construction and opening of Le Tire-Bouchon Vineyard restaurant, the first restaurant authorized in a green zone in Quebec.

1996

Pioneer at the SAQ

L'Orpailleur becomes the first Quebec vineyard to be listed by the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ).

2000

Construction of a new welcome building

The Vineyard is building a reception building and two rooms (Les Tourelles and La Vinothèque) to accommodate more visitors.

2001

Le Vignoble becomes a member of the Économusée Network

L’Orpailleur is inaugurating the spaces of the Économusée® du vigneron (Winemaker Économusée), including an interpretive room dedicated to the cooperage trade. The Société du Réseau des Économusées (SRÉ) aims to create places for meeting and discovery that highlight the craftsmanship of artisans.

2009

First international gold medals

L'Orpailleur Ice Wine 2007 receives two major distinctions: a Vinalies d'Or in Paris and a Gold Medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.

2012

Construction of a new winery and the Dame-Jeanne room

With its spectacular view of the vineyards, the hall has attracted thousands of people annually to celebrate weddings, participate in training sessions, or hold corporate events.

2018

New single varietal wine range

L’Orpailleur is launching a new range of single varietal wines. This range of Signature Cuvées includes a Chardonnay, a Cabernet Franc, and a Gewürztraminer.

Our signature wines

2019

L'Orpailleur unveils new visitor space

The result of a redesign of existing exhibits and an enhancement of the educational content of the Économusée® du vigneron. It makes visiting the vineyard an experience to enjoy in both summer and winter.

Visit us

2022

L’Orpailleur acquires Union Libre Estate

Union Libre is already marked by its history, and l'Orpailleur will continue the work begun there by preserving its terroir and developing the production of quality wines with unique expressions. This will be done with its own grapes, vinification and aging in its cellar, and by welcoming visitors to its premises.

Free Union cider and wine