Near the Saint Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec (City), near the city of Durham, about 26 wineries on almost 300 hectares of vineyards strive to produce wine from hybrid vines. The climate is continental with warm and humid summers and very cold winters. During the frost-free period, about 900 millimetres of precipitation fall per year. In winter, temperatures of -30 °C are measured. Therefore, after the harvest, during the month of November, the earth between the inherited parts is pressed against the vines. In this way, mounds about 40 centimetres high and 50 centimetres wide are formed, which protect the vines from excessive frost. When measurements were taken in 1998, the temperature inside a mound at a depth of 20 centimetres was -6°C; the outside temperature was -34°C. At the end of April to the beginning of May, these mounds are removed again. Due to the adverse conditions as well as the short vegetation period, almost exclusively hybrid vines are planted. Wine is sold almost exclusively from the cellar door. Recently, they are also allowed to deliver directly to restaurants in the region. The tourism aspect of the wineries plays a more important role for the region than the wine itself.
