Montreal has a thriving natural and small-producer wine scene, concentrated in neighbourhood bars where the lists are short, the pours are generous and the staff love to explain. Women in Wine is a walking tour of those bars, run by Spade and Palacio, taking about two hours and forty-five minutes and including local bites alongside the wine. The tour has a perfect five-star rating from more than fifty reviews. The group visits several independent wine bars, with a guide who knows the owners and the producers and can explain what you are tasting, from whites to reds. The format suits visitors who want to taste widely without committing to a bottle at a single venue. Check the booking page for the route, the bars visited and the meeting point on your date. Bring identification, as the drinking age in Quebec is 18, and raise any dietary needs when you book, since the bites are part of the experience. It is an adult activity and not suited to anyone who does not drink alcohol.
What to expect from the wine
Quebec bars often favour natural wine from France, Italy and elsewhere, with small producers and minimal intervention, and pour by the glass, which makes tasting several styles easy. A walking tour gives you a short list of places you may return to for the rest of the trip. The bites are part of the tasting, and the pace allows time to talk with the guide and other guests rather than rush.
Planning
This is an evening-style activity, so schedule dinner afterward or treat the bites as part of dinner. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, because the walk between bars is outdoors. Pace your tasting, drink water and plan transport home. Check start times and availability when you book, since evening tours fill early on weekends.
Who it suits
Wine lovers, couples, friends and solo travellers who like conversation with a guide. It is a good counterpart to the craft beer tour for travellers who prefer wine, and it works well on a night when you want something more relaxed than a club. It is less suited to children or to anyone who wants a long seated dinner. Check the booking page for the exact route, group size and cancellation terms before you commit.
Bring a small notebook or use your phone to record the wines you like, since the names of producers and regions will make it easier to find them again in a shop or at a restaurant. Quebec bars generally do not rush guests, so take your time with each pour and ask the guide questions.
If you enjoy the tour, you can return to your favourite bar on another night for a full glass and a longer conversation. Wear shoes that suit an evening walk, and keep a light layer in your bag. If you are visiting in winter, the short walks between bars are the coldest part of the evening, so dress for them, and in summer some bars have terraces that fill quickly, so arriving on time helps.
Small independent bars often have limited seating, and a guided group is a good way to secure a spot. Tell the guide early if you prefer to taste less, since you can pace yourself and still enjoy the whole route.
What to expect
The experience
A walking tour of independent Montreal wine bars with local bites, lasting about two hours and forty-five minutes.
Best time
Evenings; check availability and start times when you book, as weekends fill early.
How long
About 2 hours 45 minutes.
Tips
Bring identification, pace your tasting and raise dietary needs when you book. Check the route and meeting point on the booking page.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wine lovers who like small producers and neighbourhood bars.
- Families
- An adult activity, not suitable for children.
- Couples
- An easy, social evening of tastings and bites.
- Pair with
- Dinner on the Plateau, the Quartier des Spectacles or Old Montreal.
- Time needed
- About 3 hours.
Good questions
How long is the tour?+
About two hours and forty-five minutes.
Are food and wine included?+
The tour includes tastings of wine with local bites; check the booking page for exactly what is covered.
Do I need to know about wine?+
No. The guide explains what you are tasting, and the format suits beginners and enthusiasts alike.
What is the age limit?+
The drinking age in Quebec is 18. Bring identification.
Where does it meet?+
The meeting point is shown on the booking page for your date.
