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Women and wine have always gone hand in hand. Whether it's a night out with friends, catching up over a glass after a long workweek, or bringing a beautiful bottle to your next dinner party.
But I didn't know how many women have helped shape Montreal's wine scene.
Spade & Palacio, the Montreal walking tour company known for its non-touristy experiences led by licensed local guides, has created a Women in Wine tour celebrating the stories of women shaping the industry. I wanted to find out more.
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Spade & Palacio was founded by two Montréal-born locals passionate about sharing their love for the city. Inspired by founder Danny “Spade”’s Peruvian grandmother, Elba, who introduced him to Montréal’s neighbourhoods, festivals and cultural events from a young age, the company offers authentic, walking food and street art tours—focusing on showcasing local neighbourhoods, independent businesses and young and women entrepreneurs through intimate groups.
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On a sunny afternoon, I joined a group of wine lovers from across Canada and beyond. Our tour guide, Fred (short for Frédérique), was an incredible storyteller who brought the city's wine history to life.
Our first stop was a local microbrewery in the Plateau that also serves as a wine bar. (Time Out has chosen not to name the individual establishments featured on the tour, as discovering these hidden gems is part of the experience Spade & Palacio offers its guests.)
We tasted two wines: one from the Eastern Townships, produced by a Montréal couple, and another produced by Vicky, one of the wine bar's owners. Both wines were light and fruit-forward, qualities I learned are often characteristic of Québec wines. We also enjoyed a Portuguese-inspired snack alongside the tasting.
As we made our way to our second wine bar, Fred shared stories about the women behind Montréal's wine scene. I loved learning how immigrants brought different grapevines with them, and that Montreal has 1000 types of vines in the city.
Next stop: a modern wine bar known for its food and thoughtful pairings where we tasted a German wine produced by two women. The wine came straight from the tap. Light yet complex, the wine was paired with a Lebanese-inspired snack that beautifully complemented its flavours.
The third wine bar was the most nostalgic. Walking inside felt like stepping straight into the 1970s or 1980s. Once a dance hall, the space still has plenty of character.
Our server explained the challenges of offering organic wines at prices that remain accessible to the restaurant’s largely student clientele. We tasted a rosé from Provence, followed by a Chardonnay made from Niagara grapes by a woman from Monteéal. The homemade focaccia served with the wines was heaven.
Our fourth and final stop was an iconic Montreal wine bar—the kind of place where you pop in for an afternoon glass and somehow find yourself still there at midnight. Named after its founder, it felt like a fitting finale to the tour.
We enjoyed a Quebec red from the St. Lawrence River region—the only red we tasted during the 2.5 hours-ish—followed by a Hungarian white, both paired with an unforgettable charcuterie board.
What I loved most about this tour was that it went beyond the wine. I got to meet the women behind the bottles and businesses, hear their stories and learn how they’ve helped shape Montréal’s wine scene.
I’d expected a fun afternoon of wine tasting, but I left with a much deeper appreciation for the women who have shaped the city’s wine culture. The tour runs year-round, and with so many stories to uncover, there’s always something new to discover.
For more information about Spade & Palacio's Women in Wine Tour, click here.
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