Vignoble Rivière du Chêne: Menu, Prices, Weddings & History

Few Quebec vineyards manage to blend a winery, a full restaurant, and a wedding venue as seamlessly as Vignoble Rivière du Chêne. Since 1998, founder Daniel Lalande has built a 25-hectare estate in Saint-Eustache that now produces certified IGP Vin du Québec wines and welcomes visitors from April through December — this guide covers the bistro menu, prices, events, and history to help plan your visit.

Founded: 1998 ·
Vineyard Area: More than 25 hectares ·
Location: Saint-Eustache, Quebec ·
Founder: Daniel Lalande ·
On-site Bistro: Bistro VRDC

Key facts at a glance

The numbers below confirm the scale of this Saint-Eustache estate.

What is on the menu at Vignoble Rivière du Chêne?

Does the bistro offer seasonal dishes?

• Bistro VRDC describes its cuisine as “creative cuisine inspired by local terroir” (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official bistro page)
• Menu changes seasonally to reflect available Quebec ingredients (same source)
• Weekend brunches are offered during the season (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• Lobster-and-Quebec-wine evenings require reservations via Libro (Tourisme Basses-Laurentides (regional tourism office))

Are wine pairings available?

• Wine pairings are recommended with bistro dishes – wines sold on site are from the estate’s own production (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• The bar VRDC (open weekends until mid-October) offers wine by the glass (Tourisme Basses-Laurentides regional tourism office)

What are the popular menu items?

• Tapas-style dishes are a signature, according to HRImag’s report on the bistro opening (HRImag hospitality industry magazine)
• Local produce and cheese plates are frequently mentioned in visitor reviews on TripAdvisor (TripAdvisor (user review aggregator))

The implication: visitors who prioritize food will find a rotating lineup tied to Quebec’s growing seasons.

What are the prices at Vignoble Rivière du Chêne?

How much does a wine tasting cost?

• Tasting fees are not officially listed but are reportedly in the $10–$15 range per person (inferred from comparable Quebec wineries; not confirmed)
• Wine bottles sold in the boutique range from $20 to $50, according to the official site (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• Group tasting packages may offer discounts – call ahead for details

What are the prices for wedding packages?

• Wedding packages vary by season (peak summer vs. shoulder months) and guest count, according to the official website’s events section (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• No fixed price list is published; interested couples are asked to request a quote
• Catering and wine are included in most packages

Are there discounts for groups?

• Group bookings (e.g., for harvest experiences or private tours) are priced on request – no public discount schedule exists
• The bistro does not offer group discounts but reservations are recommended for parties larger than six (Tourisme Basses-Laurentides regional tourism office)

The pattern: budget-conscious visitors get the best value from drop-in tastings, while premium services require direct negotiation.

Does Vignoble Rivière du Chêne host weddings?

What wedding services are offered?

• Full wedding venue services including ceremony and reception spaces (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• Catering by Bistro VRDC and estate wines are part of the package
• On‑site coordination and décor support available

Can we hold both ceremony and reception?

• Yes – the property offers both indoor and outdoor spaces, with the upper‑floor bistro providing a view of the vines (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• Ceremony options include the vineyard itself (weather permitting) or a covered terrace

What is the maximum guest capacity?

• Capacity is not explicitly stated on the official site; interested couples should inquire directly
• Bistro VRDC can seat around 60–80 guests for dinner, which likely sets the reception limit

The catch: the intimate scale that makes the setting charming also caps guest lists below what larger urban venues can accommodate.

What services does Vignoble Rivière du Chêne offer?

Are vineyard tours available?

• Guided tours of the vineyard and winemaking facilities are offered during the open season (April–December) (Bonjour Québec (Quebec government tourism site))
• Tours typically include a tasting of three wines and a walk through the vines (Tourisme Basses-Laurentides regional tourism office)

Can I participate in the harvest?

• The vineyard runs a harvest experience (vendanges) in late September and October – details are available on the official site (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• Participants help pick grapes and enjoy a meal afterwards; price is upon request
• Space is limited, so advance booking is essential

Is there a wine club or shipping?

• Wines can be purchased directly at the boutique during open hours (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• Online ordering is available for pickup – no formal wine club or home delivery has been announced publicly
• Picnic areas at the foot of the vines are open to visitors who bring their own food or buy from the bistro (Bonjour Québec Quebec government tourism site)

What this means: the vineyard offers a spectrum of engagement levels from casual to immersive, each with different time and budget requirements.

What is the history of Vignoble Rivière du Chêne?

Who founded the vineyard?

• Daniel Lalande founded Vignoble Rivière du Chêne in 1998 (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• He started with a small plot and gradually expanded to more than 25 hectares (same source)
• The estate now cultivates about 108,256 vine plants across 20 varieties (HRImag hospitality industry magazine)

How has the vineyard grown over the years?

• 2000s: expansion with new hybrid grape varieties adapted to cold climate (HRImag hospitality industry magazine)
• 2015 (approx.): Bistro VRDC opens, transforming the site from a production winery into a dining destination (HRImag hospitality industry magazine)
• 2023: 25th anniversary, celebrated with special tastings and events

What makes it a pioneer in Quebec wine?

• Bonjour Québec describes it as “one of the most important vineyards in Quebec” – a recognition of its scale and reputation (Bonjour Québec Quebec government tourism site)
• It was among the first to combine fine dining with winery tours in the Laurentides region
• Its consistent quality helped raise the profile of IGP Vin du Québec certification (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)

“The Bistro VRDC offers creative cuisine inspired by local terroir.”

— Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official website (bistro page)

The implication: the bistro’s philosophy directly mirrors the vineyard’s terroir-driven approach to winemaking.

Upsides and downsides

Timeline

• 1998: Vignoble Rivière du Chêne founded by Daniel Lalande (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)
• 2000s: Expansion of vineyard and planting of cold‑climate hybrid varieties (HRImag hospitality industry magazine)
• 2015 (approx.): Bistro VRDC opens with a tapas menu by chef Ian St‑Pierre Brinkmann (HRImag hospitality industry magazine)
• 2023: 25th anniversary celebrations (Vignoble Rivière du Chêne official site)

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

“One of the most important vineyards in Quebec.”

— Bonjour Québec (Quebec government tourism site)

While the vineyard’s reputation is solid, key details remain behind a phone call or email. For casual visitors, the lack of online pricing is frustrating. For committed wine tourists, the promise of a scenic, terroir‑driven experience outweighs the guesswork.

Frequently asked questions

For the visitor planning a wine‑country day trip from Montreal (35‑minute drive), Vignoble Rivière du Chêne offers a rare combination of quality wine, full‑service dining, and agritourism. The catch: you’ll need to pick up the phone for prices. But for those willing to trade a little convenience for an authentic Quebec vineyard experience, the gamble is well worth it.