Location: 721, chemin Royal, Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, QC
Hours: Open seasonally. From May 1 through July 5, open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. From July 6 through October 31, open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Open during the off-season by reservation.
Phone: 1-418-828-2525
Web Site: Cassis Monna et Filles
Since 1992, Cassis Monna et Filles has been creating wines and liqueurs from black currants grown on the Île d'Orléans near Quebec City. The Monna family has been making liqueurs for more than four generations, although Bernard Monna and his daughters, Catherine and Anne, were the first to set up shop on the Île d'Orléans.
There, they have created a crème de cassis that has garnered applause and awards around the world, including the European Gold Medal Award in 1995. In addition to their award-winning black currant liqueur, Cassis Monna et Filles (that's "Cassis of Monna and his Daughters," by the way) produces several other delicious black currant treats, from apéritif wines to jams and jellies. One jam is even made with onions as well as currants!
Cassis Monna et Filles may have an intriguing culinary résumé, but the company also does an excellent job of opening their operation to visitors and making them feel welcome. Guided tours are available for large groups (reservations required), and in addition to a free tasting cellar, the operation boasts membership in the Economuseum network.
The trademarked Economuseum network aims to keep cottage industries alive by giving artisans a chance to share their knowledge with visitors, showing them what makes a traditionally hand-made, locally-grown product so special. The Cassis Monna et Filles Economuseum teaches visitors all about the black currant and the Monna family's liqueur-making techniques, which have been handed down from generation to generation.
After touring the museum and tasting in the wine cellar, visitors can relax on the terrace of the Monna sisters' café, La Monnaguette. The menu has attracted rave reviews from around the Quebec region, and nearly every item features black currants in unusual and mouthwatering ways. Devour a goat-cheese salad with honey-black currant coulis, or savor duck confit with black currant jam. For dessert, try the ice creams and sorbets made right on the Île d'Orléans.
Cassis Monna et Filles is a stylishly-run operation offering much in the way of rich local history and delicious local food and spirits. One of the best aspects of the agritourism movement is the unparalleled chance it offers tourists to engage and get involved in the life of the place they visit. Visitors will find they are able to embrace the spirit of pastoral Quebec (no pun intended) to the very full at Cassis Monna et Filles.
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