The Unique Terroir of Vignoble Côte de Champlain
What makes Vignoble Côte de Champlain truly unique is that it sits atop millions of fossilized shells dating back to the Champlain Sea era, which once covered the Ottawa and St. Lawrence valleys more than 10,000 years ago. This distinctive soil is not only ideal for growing vines but also brings a special richness to the wines.
The story of Vignoble Côte de Champlain is also that of Christian Dubois, the owner and founder. “I’ve always been passionate about transformation, the fermentation process of products and fruits,” he says. In the late 1990s, the winemaker owned a small plot of land, but he quickly realized that viticulture required ideal growing conditions. So, he set off in search of the perfect site to establish a vineyard—a process that would take several years.
“I was looking for land with good air circulation and a nice heat incline, so I placed thermometers in various spots I thought might be suitable for vines, hoping that one day they might be up for sale.” His wish came true, as the land he had identified as most promising—located in Saint-Théodore-d’Acton—was put up for sale shortly thereafter. Within just two weeks, Christian had purchased it. At the time, it was an old farm.
A Shell Treasure
In 2007, the new owner began planting his first vines. “When I was digging for the vineyard, I found shells. There were more shells than soil!” he recalls. Upon further investigation, he discovered that most of the specimens were of the species Hiatella arctica.
“About 25,000 years ago, there were glaciers about two kilometers high in North America during the Ice Age,” explains Christian. His vineyard is located 138 meters above sea level, on the foothills of the Appalachians. “When the glaciers melted, they created the Champlain Sea, which gave Québec its unique terroir.” A wine enthusiast turned amateur archaeologist, he has so far discovered three layers containing multiple Hiatella arctica specimens on his property.
Last summer, the shell saga took an unexpected turn when a researcher from Ottawa bought a bottle of Côte de Champlain wine, intrigued by the shell illustration on the label. Indeed, many of the winery’s wines are named Coquillages (red, orange, rosé, and white). “It didn’t take long before they were at our doorstep,” says the winemaker. “He was truly amazed by the quantity of intact shells on my land.” Communications between the researcher and Christian have since led to the idea of a potential archaeological dig in 2025.
The Influence on the Wines
This type of soil brings “a beautiful minerality to the wines,” according to the winemaker. It also has a major impact on vine cultivation: “With a terroir that drains this well—since it’s mainly made up of shells and gravel—it means that even after heavy rain, I can get into the field with the tractor right away. The vines are able to draw all the nutrients they need to produce great wines.”
This feature is especially valuable in the face of climate change, which is making weather conditions increasingly unpredictable for Québec farmers.
Christian, who works alongside his partner, son and daughter, emphasizes the importance of full fermentation for their wines. “For whites, we like them to be indulgent, aromatic, and fruity,” he says. “For rosés, we aim for wines that are fruit-forward, fresh, and not too alcoholic. As for the reds, we try to strike a balance with the grape varieties we currently have.” These varieties include a mix of hybrids and vinifera grapes, such as Vidal, Pinot Noir, Serval, Frontenac, Petite Perle, and Marquette.
Côte de Champlain wines, all IGP certified, are available at the SAQ and at the vineyard’s boutique.
