Spade and Palacio Launches Women in Wine Tour in Montreal
Montreal walking tour company Spade & Palacio has introduced a Women in Wine tour highlighting the local figures who have helped shape the city’s beverage industry, timeout.com reported. Founded by Montréal-born locals inspired by co-founder Danny “Spade”’s Peruvian grandmother Elba, the company developed the experience to showcase independent businesses, neighbourhoods, and women entrepreneurs through intimate groups.
Stops Along the Four-Stop Montreal Wine Itinerary
The 2.5-hour tour guides participants through four distinct venues across Montreal. The first stop is a microbrewery in the Plateau that operates as a wine bar, where visitors sample a light, fruit-forward wine produced by a Montreal couple in the Eastern Townships alongside a wine from co-owner Vicky. Subsequent stops include a modern wine bar pouring a German wine from the tap, a nostalgic 1970s- and 1980s-era former dance hall offering a Niagara Chardonnay and a Provence rosé, and an iconic neighborhood wine bar serving a Quebec red from the St. Lawrence River region and a Hungarian white.
Accessibility and Historical Background of Urban Vines
During the excursions, tour guides share historical context on Montreal’s wine culture, noting that immigrants historically brought various grapevines to the city and that Montreal features approximately 1,000 types of vines. Venues on the tour face the practical challenge of pricing organic selections to remain accessible to student clientele, pairing their wine lists with regional snacks like homemade focaccia, Portuguese-inspired bites, and Lebanese-influenced dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Montreal Tour
How long is the Women in Wine tour?
The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours and operates year-round across multiple Montreal neighborhoods.
What types of wine are featured on the walk?
Participants taste a variety of light and complex selections, including regional bottles from Quebec’s Eastern Townships and the St. Lawrence River region, a Niagara Chardonnay, a Provence rosé, and international options from Germany and Hungary.
Who operates the walking tours?
Spade & Palacio, a Montreal-based walking tour company known for food and street art excursions led by licensed local guides, organizes and runs the experience.