A family affair from the ground to the glass
While discussing with the owners of the company, I learned that their family had been farming the land located in Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu for several decades. It was during the last few years, while questioning themselves on the best ways to make a living for all family members, that the idea of undertaking the transformation of their harvests was sparked. As beer and spirits lovers, the option of using their own grains and cereals to make beer and spirits was quickly adopted. Various crops were subsequently added to the field, such as fruit trees, a hop field and even junipers.
When asking them what they enjoy most about transforming, “It’s so rewarding to produce the raw material that you then transform. We know the journey of the ingredients used in our products, from the ground to the glass!” is the answer that I got.
Opening your business gates
The business seems to be successful in many ways. It was not anticipated that they would attract so many customers, both in the winter and summer. At season's peak, they can accommodate just over 200 people on site. The talents of each family member are put to good use. **“We all have our strengths, ideas and tasks to accomplish.” **I’m told that having one person on the team with customer service experience has saved a lot of headaches. Doing agritourism can be difficult since you must welcome people into your business, and that means having a front row seat to the customer’s reactions to your products. I asked them if they had any advice to share with those who are thinking of starting this type of venture. “You need to hang on to the good feedback from customers and learn not to focus only on the bad,” they advised.
And do they think that agritourism is accessible to any and all farmers? “I don’t think it’s for everyone […], not all of us can interact well with customers. For some people, it’s natural, and for others, it takes them completely out of their comfort zone. For the latter folks, you’d have to take it more gradually.”
I once heard that the most important thing is being passionate about your project… and listening to this family talk about their farm… I don’t think we’re short on passion here!