Discovering the Blackcurrant
The enchanting site of the Domaine Ives Hill, located in Compton, has everything it needs to charm you. It all began in 1992 when two colleagues, Yves Cousineau and Jean-François Prévost, decided to start a business together and exploit an unknown fruit in Quebec, the blackcurrant. After careful consideration, they decided to focus themselves on developing an alcoholic beverage made from blackcurrant.
The years went by and it was in 2010, when Marc Déragon became Yves Cousineau’s new partner, that the company’s touristic aspect began to take off. Indeed, a boutique, a bistro, and a room where receptions can be hosted are now available to the public. Visitors can come and taste the products offered directly at the farm! Also, a trail explaining how blackcurrant is grown and processed has been added to the farm’s fields, allowing visitors to learn more about this mysterious wild berry. In addition, new products, each as tasty as the next, have been added to the Domaine Ives Hill’s offer. Tea, various alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, jellies, vinegar, in short, a variety of flavors that will allow everyone to find something they like. A partnership with the chocolate factory Vanden Eynden, also allows them to offer a creamy chocolate made from blackcurrants.
Since then, the company is well established in the Coaticook River Valley and even has new owners! Indeed, since the fall of 2019, Lise Pratte and Bruno Salvail are the owners of the Domaine Ives Hill. They have at heart the continuity of their blackcurrant business as well as allowing you to discover the many possibilities this small fruit has to offer! This year, they have even decided to create picnic baskets to allow you to taste several of their products in an original way.
Did you know that blackcurrant has many therapeutic benefits? In fact, this wild berry contains a lot of antioxidants, much more than its cousins the cranberry or blueberry. Eating blackcurrant means strengthening your immune system while also replenishing your body’s supply of vitamin C! Contrary to many fruits and vegetables, the properties of the blackcurrants remain the same when dried or cooked!
An online store is available where you can order their products. In addition, various points of sale and farmers’ markets, such as the SAQ and the Magog’s Farmers’ Market, also allow you to discover the flavors of the Domaine Ives Hill. You can also come on-site where you will have the opportunity to taste their products to find what you like as well as allowing you to admire the very place where the blackcurrant is produced and processed!