One of the pillars of Quebec’s viticulture died Tuesday morning.
Léon Courville died at the age of 78. His death was announced on the Léon Courville Vigneron Facebook page.
“It is with regret that we announce the death of Léon Courville, founder of the winery and great wine man,” relatives wrote on the site. The Léon Courville Vigneron winery will be closed tomorrow, September 27th. Details of the ceremonies will be announced later. You left us far too soon, Leon. »
Léon Courville holds a doctorate in economics from Carnegie Mellon University. He taught at HEC Montréal before joining the National Bank in 1984. He worked as an economist before becoming President of the National Bank until 1999.
MICHEL ST-JEAN/AGENCE QMI
After his retirement, he preferred to strike out on his own by starting a winery on his land at Brome Lake. Léon Courville had quick success. In 2014 he sold 70,000 bottles to the SAQ. According to the company’s website, its vineyard now includes 100,000 vines covering nearly 40 acres.
Many honors
Moderator Mario Dumont also announced his friend’s death on X (formerly Twitter). They knew each other during Mario Dumont’s political career at L’Actiondemocratique du Québec (ADQ).
“It’s been a great friendship for 25 years,” he said in a text message. He is a thoughtful and brilliant man. »
MICHEL ST-JEAN/AGENCE QMI
On the X, the Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, voted in the same direction.
“Léon Courville, a brilliant and creative man. My condolences go out to all his loved ones,” he wrote.
In the same social network, the Minister responsible for Sport, Leisure and Nature, Isabelle Charest, also addressed the winemaker.
“It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of Léon Courville, a lover of Brome-Missisquoi who will leave a lasting mark on the world of Quebec viticulture. My thoughts are with his loved ones,” she said.