Purchase locally
The Brome-Missisquoi 2009 tourism season theme
The core of all 2009 promotions initiatives, purchase locally, was presented to guests at during the Brome-Missisquoi launch of the tourism season. It is the main theme in promotional brochures or folders, in all publicity campaigns as well as in the activities organized for visitors, tourists and the Brome-Missisquoi population.
Promotional tools
The Guide touristique de Brome-Missisquoi (150,000 copies) is published every other year and showcases 160 enterprises under the following headings : agrotourism, arts and culture, where to eat, where to sleep, sports and outdoor activities, boutiques and shopping, events and tourism services. In addition to the list of tourism enterprises, several pages are dedicated to the Chemin des Cantons (Heritge Trail), to the Route des vins (Wine Route), to biking and hiking trails, to an invitation to purchase locally with a complete guide to help visitors to properly plan their stay in the region.
Over 70 enterprises, of which 16 vineyards, are partners in the Wine Route campaign which includes a new version of the Placemat map. This map offers a description of each of the 16 vineyards, the complete list of the Ami de la Route des vins businesses and a vine and wine calendar. The calendar informs about what goes on at a vineyard during the different seasons and it presents the various stages of winemaking as well as the activities that will take place along the Wine Route.
Osez Rosé
The Rosé wines celebrate on the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route where one finds the greatest concentration of rosé wine producers in Quebec. Indeed, 13 vineyards offer an important variety of rosé wines as appealing in color as in freshness of taste. A real celebration for the senses!
Some ten Brome-Missisquoi artisan wine-producers presented their new rosé wines at the Marché des saveurs at the Jean-Talon Market in Montreal last February 23 and 24. Wine amateurs were able to taste and purchase the new rosé vintages.
Furthermore, to continue the celebration, four vineyards of the region : Les Côtes d’Ardoise, L’Orpailleur, Le Domaine Les Brome and Le Domaine du Ridge proposed a Rosé Brunch, on May 31. It was a marvelous occasion to discover numerous other regional products that were served along side the 2008 rosés wines.
The “purchase locally” campaign
The CLD considers that it is important for Brome-Missisquoi residents to know their region better and to be proud to introduce it to their family and friends. So the promotions are continued with the local population in mind. The Guide touristique will be distributed in all of the 26 000 Brome-Missisquoi households.
Local food processing is highlighted in this Guide touristique, where citizens will discover four ways to purchase local products : by buying directly from the farm in Ami de la Route des vins businesses, by regularly visiting the Public Markets of Bedford, Farnham and Knowlton, by shopping via Internet at the Marché de solidarité régionale de Cowansville or in person, at the Boutique du terroir de la Maison du tourisme des Cantons de l’Est (Exit 68, Autoroute 10).
« Outdoors- 4 season » Strategic Plan
The « trails » theme was accepted in the follow-up proposal of the « Outdoors – 4 season » Strategic Plan. A group is developing the theme and working towards structuring activities to promote hiking and snowshoeing trails. For now, the largest concentration is located in Sutton but should be integrated into the other regional offensives during the year.
The promotion of arts and culture
This year, the calendar of Brome-Missisquoi cultural activities is offered in an interactive version on Internet by way of the Carrefours culturels de Brome-Missisquoi website.
Moreover, the agenda of the CLD Cultural Service for the coming year highlights the nine Carrefours culturels (Cultural Crossroads) under development in the region, the organization of the 2009 Christmas Market, the first steps in the elaboration of the new Cultural Policy and the search for additional funds to support cultural initiatives of the region.
A proud population of its region
In short, all is set so the local population can be proud of the wide range of products, activities and excellent services that are available in the region. We hope the citizens will enjoy this abundance themselves, in addition to promoting it within their family, their group of friends and to the numerous visitors of the magnificent Brome-Missisquoi Wine country.
The Eastern Townships Tourism personality of the year
A special tribute to a great ambassador
During the recent Grands Prix du tourisme, the Board of Directors of the Regional Tourism Association granted the title of « Tourism Personality of the year » to Mr. Charles?Henri de Coussergues, wine producer and owner of the Vignoble l’Orpailleur and President of the Association des vignerons du Québec. This prize recognizes the extraordinary contribution of this visionary that over 25 years ago believed in the great potential of wine producing in the region.
A man of great determination, he fought against wind and cold to develop a performing and prestigious vineyard, the establishment of commercial winemaking in Quebec and the creation of a high quality tourism product. His mission was to give birth to a wine tradition in Quebec that would survive. If Charles-Henri de Coussergues had not invested himself as he did, grape harvesting, winemaking and the passion it generates would not have seen the light in Quebec.
At 22 years of age, in 1982, this son of a wine-maker from Avignon, graduated in winemaking and wine tasting then chose to establish himself in Quebec. The first years were demanding. From a first harvest producing 15,000 bottles, followed by attempts and trials of over sixty varieties of vine to the development of diversified products in 2008, the business has progressed thanks to the enthusiasm and persistence of Charles-Henri.
In 2001, Charles-Henri eagerly established the Vignoble l’Orpailleur as the mecca of agrotourism and the choice destination for visitors in search of knowledge and pleasures with the opening of the Économusée de la vigne et du vin, an investment of over $750,000, a refined regional cuisine served at the « Le Tire-Bouchon » restaurant , and a season that extends to the end of December.
Described by Gilles Vigneault as a « Partner of the very first days and cornerstone of the Wine Route », the Orpailleur contributes enormously to the strengthen the regional tourism industry because of the pleasure Charles-Henri de Coussergues takes in welcoming visitors. Mr. de Coussergues admits : « Direct contact with consumers stimulates my neurons and warms my heart. That is the fuel that allows me to adjust my plans and evolve. »
That is the way this pioneer describes the attributes that make of him a great ambassador for the region, how he implemented the facilities that allow visitors to fully enjoy a special experience, how he encourages his staff to share his promotional views and why he is an example for all the actors of the of Brome-Missisquoi tourism industry.
For the above reasons, the different businesses of the tourism industry seized the occasion of the « 2009 Brome-Missisquoi tourism eason launch» to pay a very special tribute to this great ambassador of vine and wine and to his county of adoption, Brome-Missisquoi.
Since Mr. de Coussergues could not be present at the celebration because he would be attending an important activity of the Association des vignerons du Québec, the CLD team visited him at the vineyard before the launch. The award presentation was captured on video and presented during the launch.
In the video Mr. Charles-Henri explains how to help visitors expérience the region and its products and the way he instills his vision to his team. After the showing, Ms Line Brault, responsible for tourism in Brome-Missisquoi, presented him with a very unique gift : a Ginko biloba on behalf of all the tourism industry of the region. The tree is a symbol for the following reasons:
- Commonly called « l’arbre aux quarante écus », its leaves turn gold in the fall which represents somewhat the definition of the name l’Orpailleur – gold searcher;
- This tree grows slowly but surely just as has done, and still continues to do, l’Orpailleur;
- This tree grows very tall and can reach 20 m similarly as l’Orpailleur that constantly grows and expands
- The Ginko biloba comes from another country, but now makes its roots in Brome-Missisquoi just as has done Charles-Henri de Coussergues.
The tree will remain a constant reminder of the present tribute.