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About the Vignoble d'Oka
In order to obtain quality wines, it is important to be advised by experts: those who know about the vines but also know about the peculiarities of Quebec soil. To this end, Sébastien Vicaire, Oenological Consultant-Expert, and Michel Levac, owner-winemaker, have teamed up to create together Quebec wines of quality and work strong to improve vintage after vintage.
THE OWNERS - WINEMAKERS
Michel Levac & Diane Normandin
For Michel Levac and his wife, Diane Normandin, viticulture is a culture of patience. It is therefore ideal for taking the time to learn and to train about the creation of wines.
After eight years in Florida, Diane, Michel and their two daughters, decide to return to Oka and settle down in a charming house surrounded by apple trees, far from the promiscuity of the city. It is also for Michel, the opportunity to get closer to his two children from his first marriage. Since apple growing requires a lot of chemicals, they choose to uproot them and put the land fallow for a year. The passion of Diane and Michel for wine, developed during numerous trips in Bordeaux, led them to plant their first vines.
Accompanied by an experienced French oenologist, they take the time to learn and train themselves between the first vineyard plantations in 2005 and the first vinification in 2009. When it is not the children working in the vineyard, the owners require the help from the workers of the UPA. Today, the Vignoble d'Oka is a business shared between a large family and friends, where all, get involved and contribute daily to the expansion and improvement of the Vineyard.
The family that works in the vines-
Samantha Levac & Megan Levac
Samantha and Megan grew up in the vines. From a young age, they had several responsibilities touching all facets of the Vineyard. They spent many summers helping their parents maintain the vines. From planting, pruning, to organizing the harvest and selling the wines, they have developed their knowledge about Quebec viticulture.
Megan obtained her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA auditor) designation and works in an accounting firm in Montreal.
Samantha is currently completing her studies in Mechanical Engineering at the Polytechnique de Montréal.
L’ŒNOLOGUE -
Sébastien Vicaire
Sébastien Vicaire trained in oenology in France and developed his know-how alongside large vineyards in the Bordeaux region of Margaux, Haut Médoc. But it was the passion for wine and the desire to take up the challenges that took him here in Quebec to vinify wines from Nordic grape varieties. A great challenge! However, determination, boldness, intuition and solid expertise will have contributed to Quebec quality wines. Together, Sébastien and the winemakers continue to work on new fermentations, which in 2010 earned the Vignoble d'Oka a double gold medal for the Mystère Rouge in the International Finger Lakes wine competition.
The Vignoble d'Oka has always fascinated me about its faith that "making quality wine is possible in Quebec". Diane and Michel succeed year after year by surprising us all with their Mystère Rouge and impress us on the constant evolution of this red wine.
Sébastien Vicaire, Oenologist
Contact
(514) 791-7020
300 Rang Saint-Ambroise, Oka
(Please call before coming to ensure we have availabilities)