Founded in 2000, Domaine Pinnacle is a family-owned and operated orchard and cidery located on a 430-acre property on the slopes of Pinnacle Mountain near the historic village of Frelighsburg in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Dedicated to creating the highest quality Ice Apple Wine, all products are hand-crafted entirely on the estate. Located on the 45th parallel, the same latitude as the world's renowned wine-growing regions, the south-facing apple orchards benefit from nearly ideal growing conditions. These growing conditions combined with the intensely cold winter conditions create a unique combination that makes the creation of Ice Apple Wine possible!

Domaine Pinnacle is owned and operated by Susan and Charles Crawford, urban refugees, who now make the estate the full-time home for their family. Our winemaker is Christian Barthomeuf, the renowned and award-winning father and inventor of Ice Apple Wine. Our multi-disciplinary team is 100% dedicated to supporting this vision.

History

The Pinnacle Estates property spans 430 acres and includes a cidery and retail boutique, which is located in the original farmhouse dating back to 1859. The farmhouse apparently has a colorful history with local area residents claiming that it was used as a stop-off point in the underground railway. The turret on the farmhouse was apparently used to watch the Vermont border for people engaged in the abolition movement helping slaves cross into Canada. Later on, during prohibition, apparently the house was also used by a rum-running organization. The spectacular view from the farmhouse of Quebec, Vermont and New York State, obviously was used for more than just sight-seeing!

Pinnacle Mountain

Originally occupied by Abenaki Indians, Pinnacle Mountain is the only truly undeveloped mountain in Quebec within a 90-minute radius of Montreal. Known by generations of locals simply as "The Pinnacle" (elevation 2,336 ft.), it is a refuge for a wide range of wildlife, including many rare species. The Pinnacle overlooks the picturesque village of Frelighsburg as well as the spectacular ranges of the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Adirondacks of New York State. This incredible setting and views can be appreciated from the Domaine Pinnacle property, located on the southern slopes of this pristine mountain paradise.

Village of Frelighsburg

Domaine Pinnacle is located just 5 km. from the picturesque town of Frelighsburg, located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, near the Vermont border. Named "The Most Beautiful Village in Quebec", Frelighsburg is a classic Loyalist settlement that blends historic charm with a vibrant and active community. Nestled in a rich valley on the Pike River, Frelighsburg is home to an architectural heritage that preserves many historic buildings and traditions.

The village was settled in the 1790s by American Loyalists, including Abram Freligh a physician of Dutch origin who moved from New York state, and gave his name to the village upon acquiring the sawmill. The mill built by his son in 1839 at the river's edge is considered a historic monument, along with several other buildings. The Anglican (1880) and Catholic (1883) churches whose spires crown this jewel of a village, attest to the cultural diversity that remain an important part of its fabric to this day.

With a population of just over 1,100 residents, Frelighsburg attracts many artists and visitors for its natural beauty and charm. Nestled amongst apple orchards that cover its rolling hills in all directions, and in the shadow of the spectacular and pristine Pinnacle Mountain, Frelighsburg remains as charming and seductive as it did over 200 years ago.