Excerpt from the Ulysse book Le Québec à moto, text by Hélène Boyer and Odile Mongeau.
Loop through Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Cowansville, and Bedford
The first portion of the route follows roads with significant elevation changes, while the second portion consists of roads with very few curves and little elevation change (secondary roads with some country lanes).
- Length of the route: 230 km
- Estimated travel time: 1 day
- Road surface quality: good/excellent
- Traffic density: moderate
- Difficulty level: beginner
Vineyards began to take root in Quebec in the 1980s
With a long-standing tradition in apple farming, Quebec added vineyards to its culinary repertoire in the 1980s. As a result, Quebec’s wine production has grown significantly over the years. A motorcycle ride punctuated by visits to Quebec vineyards—all located in the regions surrounding Montreal and Quebec City—offers the chance to discover some superb routes. This is particularly true of the wine routes in Montérégie and the Eastern Townships.
Suggested Route
If you’re leaving from Montreal, take the Champlain Bridge, then Highway 10 East :
- until the junction with Highway 35 toward Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
- From there, follow the signs to Route 104 East, which passes through Mont-Saint-Grégoire and Farnham before reaching Cowansville.
- Once you reach Cowansville, take Route 202 West.
- Between Dunham and Bedford, you’ll pass several vineyards, including L’Orpailleur, where you can tour the grounds and grab a bite to eat.
Just before Bedford, turn left onto Ridge Road :
- About 6 km further on, take Guthrie Road and follow it for less than 4 km.
- Then, turn right onto Saint-Armand Road.
- This quiet road lets you explore a corner of the Quebec countryside less than 3 km from the Canada-U.S. border. At the intersection with Route 235, take Route 235 north toward the town of Bedford.
- When you reach Bedford, turn left to get back on Route 202 West.
- This road leads to Venise-en-Québec, a municipality located on the shores of Missisquoi Bay (Lake Champlain) that welcomes many motorcyclists.
About 36 km further on, take Route 221 North :
- where other vineyards are located in the Napierville area. When you arrive in this town, follow the signs for Route 219 South, which you’ll follow for 4 km.
- Then, take Route 217 North which intersects with Route 104 West about 26 km further on. This section of the ride takes you through the heart of the countryside, where the roads are very flat and uneventful. All around you, fields stretch as far as the eye can see. At the intersection with Route 104, take Route 104 west.
- until the junction with Highway 30 East.
- This expressway connects to Highway 10 West and takes you back to Montreal via the Champlain Bridge.
Good to Know
It’s always possible to visit several wineries. But if you’re on a motorcycle, we strongly advise you to leave the tastings to others! In any case, know that the scenery will more than intoxicate you, and you won’t miss out on anything. Instead, visit the winery shops to pick up their products and enjoy them when you get home. The Quebec Wine Council’s website (see the Address Book) contains a wealth of information on vineyards, certified wines, and Quebec’s wine-growing regions.
Alternative Route
We suggest an alternative route that will allow you to enjoy the countryside and the stunning border scenery even more. About 10 km past Dunham, take Route 237 South toward Frelighsburg. Just past the village center, turn right onto Chemin de Saint-Armand. This will allow you to enjoy the scenery along this road for a little longer before rejoining Route 235.
Our favourite
› Route 202, for its valleys and beautiful scenery
Address Book
- Vignoble de l’Orpailleur
- 1086 Bruce Street (Route 202), Dunham,
- 450-295-2763, https://orpailleur.ca
www.laroutedesvins.ca
- For wineries located in the
- Brome-Missisquoi region
Quebec Wine Council
