While on my Solo Mom Trip, I knew I wanted to branch out a bit from home base with day trips from Quebec City. I’d definitely not turn down a food tour, or – hey! Are there any Quebec City wineries, or if not right in QC, maybe one nearby? It didn’t take too much research to turn up Ile d’Orleans, an easy day trip from Quebec city – honestly, you can see it from high ground – and home to a number of Quebec City Wineries and even Quebec Vinyards. Ile d’Orleans is sometimes called the Bread Basket of Quebec, and I soon found it was a tasting treat to visit.
Plus, not to be a completely, totally, indulgent or anything. Wait, scratch that. I’m a Mom, away by myself. I’m going to be totally indulgent! And I’m not going to feel bad about it! I’m going to do something where I get food – that I didn’t prepare – that people brought to me on little trays! How awesome is that??
If you would like a Map of Yummy Tasting Sites on this Ile d’Orleans Day Trip from Quebec City, be sure to scroll to the bottom!
Ile d’Orleans: Bread Basket of Quebec & Food History
Ile d’Orleans is a rich part of Quebec’s history, with some of the first french colonizing happening on this island. So the food isn’t the only reason to visit – all my fellow history-lovers could really get into learning about the island, too. The first settlers were granted land for the specific purpose of growing crops, each different farm designated for different crops. These farms have been passed down from generation to generation, and many of the French Canadians can trace their ancestry back to these first settlers. Because of this, the island has earned the title of the Birthplace of New France and Cradle of America.
The farm plots designated so early in its history still exist today, with one road that encircles the island, and three roads that cross from one side to the other. Two of these roads that cross the island are closed during the winter, because the snowfall makes them too hazardous.
I wanted to see this island for myself, but wasn’t so sure I wanted to rent a car and drive around just hoping to find good tasting spots. SO… enter Quebec Food Tour, the Taste Trail. The Taste Trail tour took a 21 passenger bus, and visited 5 different stops for tasting, while our driver, Jaak, taught us about the history of the island.
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Ile d’Orleans:
Quebec Vineyards and Wineries
Vignoble du Mitan
My first foray into the world of Quebec City wineries (at least as close to Quebec City as I could get!) was Vignoble du Mitan. Planting grapes in 1998, Vignoble opened its doors in 2007. The wines were generally on the sweeter end of things.
The specialty was ice wine. The grapes are harvested during December and January, while the grapes are frozen. Pressed while still frozen, a smaller amount of concentrated grape juice is obtained. The resulting wine has a taste of a white port wine. In my mind, I could imagine drizzling it over vanilla bean ice cream would be amazing!
The vineyard has beautiful views of the St. Lawrence, and even a front deck seating area to spend a little sipping time on.
To learn more about their wines, activities, or where to buy their productvisit:
Vignoble du Mitan
2608, chemin Royal, Sainte-Famille, Île d’Orléans (Qc) G0A 3P
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Cassis Monna & Filles
Bernard Monna, a 4th generation ‘liquorist’ from the l’Herault area of France, came to Ile d’Orleans in the 1970s, which Cassis Monna & Filles claims has the ideal microclimate for growing black currant. Now, his two daughters are having the tradition and family business passed down to them.
Their list of awards for their wines is extensive, and several different choices are available for tasting. I tasted La Creme de Cassis, and it was rich and tart with a touch of sweetness and greater depth than is usually there in grape-based wines. In addition to the wines, they have a whole assortment of black current based goodies like jam, jelly, syrup, and marmalade in an assortment of different flavors. There are a number of different gifty packages that make great local-made foodie treats to bring home.
We also spent some time just relaxing in the beautiful seating areas, enjoying the views, which I thought were maybe the best of the Quebec City wineries we visited.
To learn more about the history, products, or even recipes for use with their produces visit:
Cassis Monna & Filles
1225 Chemin Royal, Saint-Pierre-de-l’Ile-d’Orleans, QC, G0A4EO
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Cidrerie Bilodeau
Apple trees were first planted at Bilodeau in 1980, and sold from the orchard since 1985 when most of that was done through a pick-your-own set up. However, in 1995, the Bilodeau family added the making of ciders to their business, and have grown their varieties of ciders since.
While there were a number of different tasting options at this Cidrerie, I chose to taste four:
- La Petit Pommier – This is a light, alcoholic apple cider. The first that I tried, I thought it was a refreshing apple cider with a little kick to it.
- Le Cassis – The second sample was a slightly more fruity blend of apple and black currant, with the same little kick.
- Nectar de Glace – this is the ice cider, where (as with the ice wine) the apples are pressed while frozen, giving a more intense and sweet flavor. This is definitely intense, made for sipping, and delicious.
- La Petit Bonheur – This blend was my favorite of the four, a mild, alcoholic apple cider with a touch of maple added. I really debated for a while about whether I should buy a bottle to take home. The only reason I didn’t was that I was traveling carry-on, so I knew I wouldn’t get it through security. 🙁
They have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, so visit, bring a snack to pair with your choices after a tasting. Make an afternoon of it!
To learn more about the Cidrerie Bilodeau, or to find a place that sells their products, visit:
Cidrerie Bilodeau
1868, chemin Royal, Saint-Pierre-Île-d’Orléans (Québec) G0A 4E0
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Ile d’Orleans: Tasting Treats
Chocolaterie de l’Ile d’Orleans
The Chocolaterie d’Orleans has been making chocolate on the Ile d’Orleans since 1988, and the house that contains the chocolaterie dates from 1760. The ice cream parlor attached, is in a building that was originally the first grocery store, built in 1800.
The shop actually imports Belgian chocolate to use in making its treats, which contain no chemical preservatives. All of the fillings are made from the produce of the Ile d’Orleans.
We got to sample dark chocolates with a raspberry ganache filling, that were truly delectable. This is the way to start a food tour! After we all tried some, we could then mill around and explore the shops, or purchase something to take home. I got several of the dark chocolate bars with caramel filling to take home to the girls. 🙂 Time to start building a little goodie bag for them for when I get home!
To learn more about the chocolate shop, their products, or retailers that sell their product, visit:
Chocolaterie de l’Ile d’Orleans
8330, chemin Royal, Sainte-Pétronille de l’Île d’Orléans (Québec), G0A 4C0
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La Nougaterie Quebec
This one surprised me. Cider, yep, that makes sense. Wine, I live in VA wine country, I’ve done those tastings. Even the chocolate I had known was here. But nougat?? Really? We can do a nougat tasting?
I came in the door, and first of all… is this place cute and fun or what?
And if you look at all those different piles on the table, those are all different flavors of nougat! Who knew? So I tried a bunch: chocolate, almond, orange, caramel, maple, lavender, pistachio… I mean, at some point I just have to tell myself not to make a spectacle and stop already. I was truly surprised by the variety and the flavors that were at times understated (maple) and with others intense (orange).
In addition to the nougats, they also make meringues, home-made marshmallows, and jams. And there’s a coffee bar (did you hear the angels sing? I did), as well as sodas. It’s really a tasty little stop.
To learn more about the Nougaterie, their many, many different flavors, or to order some (they deliver throughout Quebec), visit:
La Nougaterie Quebec
1367 Chemin Royal, Saint-Pierre-de-l’Île-d’Orléans (QC) G0A 4E0
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Websites of the Quebec Wineries and Tasty Stops:
- Vignoble du Mitan: vignobledumitan.com
- Cassis Monna & Filles: cassismonna.com
- Cidrerie Bilodeau: cidreriebilodeau.com
- Chocolaterie de l’Ile d’Orleans: chocolaterieorleans.com
- La Nougaterie Quebec: nougateriequebec.com
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I thoroughly enjoyed my tour. I befriended two other women on the tour who were also by themselves, and we tasted and chatted through it. The week I was there was pre-peak season, so our bus was not packed, which was pretty nice, although even filled I don’t think it would be overwhelming.
However, Ile d’Orleans is not too large, and with only one road circling the island, it is kind of hard to get lost! So if you have a car, you are free head over and make your own schedule. Eitherway, it’s a tasty and beautiful, easy day trip from Quebec City.
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Ile d’Orleans Day Trip from Quebec City Map
I highly recommend taking the tour with Quebec Food Tour. With it, you will learn the history and significance of the island while traveling from spot to spot on your day trip from Quebec City. You will also be able to imbibe while you go with a built in designated driver! BUT – if you are looking to stop in at a couple places without the full tour, this map of tasting places on Ile d’Orleans should help!
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Oh! Oh! Pin me! Pin me!
Well of COURSE you’ve got to visit the Chocolate location first on your tour! Starting off on the right foot for sure. I’ve only been on one food tour before, and I would use that term loosely. We basically went and visited a few of the tour guide’s friend’s shops and had a weird experience. I’m glad you enjoyed yours!
This totally sounds like the kind of thing I’d love to do! And the dark chocolate with raspberry ganache filling, must’ve been pure heaven! The pictures show how cute the town is, so charming! Love it!
It was delectable! The island is beautiful, in a rolling hills and less developed way. I really wanted to see it, but not so much rent a car. The tour turned out to be a an easy way to do it.
I love food tours! I prefer street food walking tours, but I like to make a point to have a food-based activity in new countries that I visit. For example I did a one week cooking course in Chiang Mai when I was in Thailand and it really gave me proper appreciation for Thai cuisine. I think food is so integral to understanding culture.
I also love splashing out and enjoying luxury dining lie you did in this post. Food is a pure pleasure in life and one worth spending money on from time to time.
Enjoyed the post, keep up your culinary adventures 🙂
I have never done a street food tour, and I absolutely want to try it. Hopefully, when hubby gets sent to San Francisco again, I can tag along and do it. When we were in Thailand in December, we didn’t do a food tour, but she had a Thai woman who would come cook for them – and it was amazing! I kept peeking it at what she was doing and asking questions. I think I amused her. 😀
I’ve never considered taking a food tour anywhere before, but now I may have to. And there can be chocolate on a food tour? I’m in!
Right?? They said chocolate and wine, and I’m like, “sign me up!” 😀
Wines and chocolate are good enough to take me there
Exactly. See, you get me. 😀 I took a second food tour in the St. Roch district of Quebec City later in the week. Total yum. Vegan Key Lime Pie that I wanted to smuggle out in my purse. Quite impressive. I’ll be writing about that soon. 😀
Always start w a food tour!!! This looks totally amazing!!! Wine plus alcohol yup my kind of tourism!
Right? If I’m going to be out on my own, I’m going to taste and sip and have a lovely time!
We love food tours! Such a great way to explore a new city! And with chocolate and wine you cant go wrong!
Exactly!
I agree that nowadays, food is life! What makes every adventure great is that you can be able to explore good food!
This looks wonderful. Quebec is a foodie paradise for sure. I try and take food tours wherever I go as it’s a great way to experience somewhere new!
I only started to do food tours in the past year, and it’s been eye opening. It really is a great way to explore another culture. The tours always give you more variety and options in a short period of time, so sometimes I do two different food tours in the same city – if I’m there for long enough. And, when the point of the tour is the eat and drink, the people in the tour tend to relax and be a lot of fun! 🙂
Wine, Cider, and chocolate, this sounds like my dream foodie tour. Great job explaining the ciders. I got a good understanding of what to expect if I ever do this tour in Quebec someday.
Thank you! I definitely recommend Quebec. I’ve always been a European travel girl, and Quebec is so much like a little European town, it’s amazing. Didn’t expect that so close to home for me! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve never been to Quebec but I imagine it to be so different from the rest of Canada. I think I will enjoy it though!
I have to confess, I’d never heard of Ile d’Orleans before (but then I’ve never ventured to that part of the world before). It looks like you’ve had a fab foodie tour though – I especially like the look of the seating at Cidrerie Bilodeau, definitely an Instagramable location there! x
I love food tours! You can really get a sense of a city on a good food tour. I hadn’t heard of Ile d’Orleans before. Now I want to plan a visit!
Wow! I was watching this Korean drama that featured Quebec and I’m fascinated with that place. This post is interesting and I love the different variations of the interiors of each places. Foodie is just love! <3
God bless!
JM Kayne | #InMyHeart♥
This is a detailed and organized foodie post for Ile d’Orleans! Love it! I’ve been curious about this city in Quebec for some time now and it looks like a great place to spend and eat your way through the city!
That chocolate place looks great — and this looks like a lovely way to get to know the region. Good to know that this is doable without your own car, too. Where did the tour depart from?
All these places look so quaint and cute! And I loooove ice wine, what a fabulous food tour!!
It sounds like you had a great time. We are always creating food tours for ourselves. We just recently stopped through Quebec too. But we stopped in Montreal and Quebec City as they are the most vegan friendly.
I did another food tour in St. Roch (putting that post together) and there was one Vegan stop that was AMAZING. They had a vegan key lime pie that was to die for. I seriously wanted to smuggle the whole thing out in my purse. Really great food!
That view of the fields and St. Lawrence river are stunning. And I think the Chocolaterie de l’Ile d’Orleans has some mouth watering delicious chocolates. I would love to visit these places.
Now this is somewhere i definitely want to go. Thanks for adding to my intrigue.
I LOVE food tours! And I think it’s super how varied this tour was – nougat to chocolate to wine – all fun foods to sample! I’m hoping to get to Quebec someday!
Food tours are so much fun! I think I’d love this one SO much since it combines history and delicious food. And all of that chocolate–YUM! 🙂
I love a good food and beverage tour, and this one looks amazing. My next visit to Quebec will definitely need to include this beautiful island
This looks amaaazing! I went to Quebec back in November and I heard there wasn’t too much to do during that season so I didn’t go. I’m definitely hoping to go back and visit Ile d’ Orleans! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Wonderful! I’m big on off-season visits places – crowds start to irritate me! So this was perfect timing, and it wound up being a beautiful time to visit, with plenty to do and see.
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