WineLovers Discussion Group

The historic century old Auberge North Hatley, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec has burnt to the ground, along with it's prestigious wine cellar. Before the fire, this is what was said of the wine cellar:
"Exceptional, sublime, remarkable-there are many ways to describe the cellar at Auberge Hatley, one of the finest private reserves in Québec. The critics have it right-the cellar has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator since 1996. With care and patience inspired by their unwavering passion for wine, our sommeliers oversee this fabulous cellar containing some 12,000 bottles and over 1,300 different labels."

In a radio interview this afternoon, the innkeeper reported that the entire cellar, worth some $2 million is scrap. Many bottles just blew their corks and those that didn't were boiled in the bottle. A crying shame!

Simon Jacobs

Thanks for posting this note, Simon. Janet and I stayed at the inn 20 years ago, and the people were just wonderful to us. We had a miserable time at Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, but these folks certianly made it up to us.

We weren't wine drinkers in those days, but had a wonderful train ride with dinner on the Quebec City/Montreal run -- some very nice wine, but neither of us can remember what it was.

It's a pity about the inn.

Regards, Bob