Banker turned winemaker Léon Courville has died.
We knew he was ill, but the announcement of his death on Tuesday created a shock wave both in the business community and in the wine world that he had adopted in the 90s with passion, determination and even a certain obstinacy, because he was keen to make wines with classic styles in Nordic terroir.
More than anything, he was recognized for his kindness and generosity. He was 78 years old.
Léon Courville first had a successful career in the business world. He joined the National Bank in 1984 as vice-president and chief economist to continue his rise to the presidency. He served on several boards of directors and was also a professor at HEC Montréal for many years – an institution where he himself had studied.
He was also a professor when he purchased a property in Lac-Brome in 1981, without initially having the idea of creating a vineyard, although he was a serious wine lover.
The first vines were planted in 1999 and the first vintage was ready a few years later, in 2003.
Domaine Les Brome is located in a magnificent location, overlooking the lake. It is a popular place for agritourism enthusiasts.
Since the creation of this company, Léon Courville has worked the land, then the vines. He teamed up with his partner Anne-Marie Lemire, who until recently sat on the board of directors of the Conseil des vins du Québec.
Domaine Les Brome produces around twenty wines. This beautiful variety is partly the prerogative of the winemaker who constantly wanted to try new things. He loved taking on new projects and challenges.
“I’m a projects guy. Besides, I can’t die before the year 3000 because I have plans until then. Roughly. “, he confided in an interview with La Presse a few years ago. The illness will have decided otherwise.
The vineyard today has 100,000 vine plants spread over 40 acres. Around ten of his vintages are available at the SAQ.
Léon Courville leaves to mourn his wife and business partner in the vineyard, Anne-Marie Lemire, his children, his family, his customers who loved his wines, but also a generation of winegrowers who followed him with different styles, but on a path which had been cleared by the pioneers of the Quebec vineyards whom Courville had joined.
The details of his final farewell will be known in the coming days, but his admirers and friends were quick to share their grief and memories on social networks.
François Legault is among those who offered their condolences. “Léon Courville, a brilliant and creative man. My sympathies to all his loved ones,” testified the Premier of Quebec.