La Réserve Dunham

Luminous, Historical Wine Route Reserve

After a meticulous, 18-month restoration, this neoclassical stone estate in downtown Dunham village has been rescued from near total neglect and coaxed back to life as a polished rural outpost that fuses timeless provincial romance with crisp, modern design.

This stately house dating from 1842 has been transformed into a modern country getaway, a refined update from its modest origins as the residence of the village postmaster. Notable original features include massive cornerstones, a wide farmhouse hearth, and the home’s strong, stony façade in austere grey stone, all essentially unchanged, although beautifully polished and restored. A contemporary annex extends the multistory residence, and the 1.5-acre grounds feature a generous heated pool. Interiors gleam, with smooth white walls offset by exposed stone dividers. Floors are sleek and mostly ebonized, and furnishings are an elegant blend of antique and contemporary.

AROUND

Located on Quebec’s rural wine route and only a 50-minute drive from Montreal, the home occupies the heart of Dunham village, a scenic rural community hemmed in by vineyards and orchards, rolling hills, country lakes and streams, and even a nearby national park. The first of Quebec’s Eastern Townships, dating from 1706, Dunham village is a storybook town of brick and stone municipal buildings and churches typical of the Loyalist era. Boutiques, cafes and restaurants enliven the small community that is considered the birthplace of the province’s wine industry. Dunham is located midway along the Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route, home to 22 vineyards as well as berry farms and orchards, vegetable stands and gentle hills blooming with wildflowers. Local boutique, Le Comptoir du Terroir, displays regional specialties, from wines to honey. 

Two vineyards of note nearby are Vignoble de l’Orpailleur and the Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise, both offering tours and tastings. Hiking, cycling, fishing and golfing opportunities abound, and there’s skiing and snowboarding each winter at Mont Sutton, approximately 10 miles away. Nearby Yamaska National Park offers watersports (canoeing, kayaking, SUP and rowboating), fishing, hiking, cycling, bird and wildlife watching, and even swimming on its lifeguarded beach on the Choinière Reservoir. Snow season finds park visitors enjoying ice fishing, snowshoeing, sledding, snow tubing, and fat bike riding.

LOCATION

Dunham, Quebec, Canada. Nearest airport: Montreal (YUL, 55 miles)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round