Cortellino Vineyard: A Piece of Italy in Montérégie
With its ochre-colored roof tiles and yellow walls, Cortellino Vineyard stands out in the typical Montérégie landscape. The building feels more like it belongs in Italy.
Joseph Cortellino knows vineyards well. Originally from the Apulia region, in the heel of Italy, he learned to prune and harvest grapes when he was young. When he moved to Montreal at the age of 20, he followed the example of many Italian immigrants: he started making his own wine with grapes bought in LaSalle.
A few years later, this steel industry entrepreneur bought a large house and land in Saint-Urbain-Premier, south of Châteauguay, to raise his five children. Mr. Cortellino then swapped market fruits for those from his garden. Passionate about wine, he planted 500 vines around his house.
"I would set the children at the table and they would destem the grapes by hand," he says, laughing. "At first, it amused them, then they realized it was a long process, removing the fruit one by one." One of his daughters, however, has fond memories of those long hours sorting grapes. Unlike her siblings who chose to work in the family business, Sophie Cortellino proposed to her father to start a vineyard. The father-daughter duo planted their first vines in 2009 on a plot of land behind the house.
From Very Small to Very Large
Mr. Cortellino is used to doing things on a grand scale. From the outset, he planted thousands of vines, then built a winery whose size and equipment are worthy of European vineyards. The same goes for his tasting room, whose look is inspired by Tuscan villas.
While the winemaker does not lack ambition or resources, he admits he had difficulty adapting to the larger quantities of grapes. Fortunately, father and daughter receive help from the family, particularly Mr. Cortellino's 90-year-old father. The vineyard reminds him of his homeland.
Red Wine, Like in Italy
The more rustic taste of Quebec's hybrid grape varieties does not deter the Italian winemaker. Most wines from his native region are made with little-known grape varieties. Their tastes are often off the beaten path, much like the wines here. "The taste of Quebec wines is different, that's true," adds Mr. Cortellino. "But is it good? That's what interests me." His daughter agrees.
"We need to explain the wine to people," says Sophie Cortellino. "It's a challenge because you can't compare the taste of our wines to those from elsewhere in the world."
Like many Quebecers, the Cortellino family loves red wines. The majority of their production is indeed red. The winemaker also favors the creation of single-varietal wines rather than blends to taste the distinctiveness of each variety.
"We don't yet know if Quebec red wines can age," he explains. "By vinifying the grape varieties separately, I want to test this. I want to know if my wines will stand the test of time."
To do this, part of his production rests in his cellar, alongside his favorite Italian wine bottles. He hopes that in a few years, he and his daughter will have some pleasant surprises.
How to Get There
From downtown Montreal, it takes about forty minutes to get to Cortellino Vineyard. First, take Highway 30 westbound. Take exit 41 for Industrial Boulevard and turn left onto Sainte-Marguerite Boulevard. At the end, turn right onto Saint-Joseph Range, then left onto Double Range (Route 205 South). You will come across the vineyard a few kilometers further.
Come taste and discover our products in an enchanting setting. Bring your picnic and enjoy a beautiful outdoor terrace. You will be charmed by the landscape and the warm welcome. Whether it's red, white, or rosé, our wines will seduce you.
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