Le vin dans les voiles

What Le vin dans les voiles does

Le vin dans les voiles is a Montréal-based private import agency founded in 2015 by co-founders Julie Audette and Valériane Paré. The agency specializes in natural wines from independent producers practicing sustainable and biodynamic agriculture, sourcing from 70+ wineries across 13+ countries including France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Georgia, Chile, the USA, and Australia. It operates as an authorized agent within Quebec's SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) private import system, which functions as the exclusive distribution and pickup channel for all orders.

The business serves two primary segments: restaurant and hospitality professionals (restaurants, cafés, bars, cavistes) across Quebec, who receive dedicated account support and menu-building assistance, and individual consumers who purchase wines by the case through the agency's Shopify-based online boutique. Bottles are sold in full cases only (3, 6, or 12 bottles per case depending on the wine), with prices ranging from approximately $23.95 to $135+ CAD per bottle before taxes. Revenue is generated exclusively through agency fees on these private import transactions; wine costs are paid separately to the SAQ at pickup. Complementary offerings include wine tasting workshops and privatized corporate events held at partner venues such as Maison Pepin and Le Parloir, an editorial blog and newsletter ('Carnets de vin'), and branded merchandise (VDLV apparel).

The company is privately held, fully owned by the two co-founders with no external investors, and operates with a small team of 1-10 employees from a single administrative office in Montréal. The SAQ-handled logistics model means the agency itself does not warehouse inventory or perform last-mile delivery. Brand recognition is concentrated in Quebec's natural wine community, where the agency has been recognized as a 'rising star' by Premières en affaires (2024) and described as one of the most respected natural wine agencies in Montréal.

Name

Le vin dans les voiles

Legal name

Le vin dans les voiles inc.

Website

https://levindanslesvoiles.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Le vin dans les voiles is a Montréal-based natural wine private import agency, founded in 2015, that curates natural wines from 70+ international producers and sells by the case to Quebec restaurants and individual consumers via the SAQ private import system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Importation / Distribution Agency

NAICS

Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAOAIAB

Alcohol Importers & Brand Owners (Wholesale)

Consumer Products & Retail/Wholesale, Distribution & Category Management/Alcohol, Tobacco & Cannabis Wholesale Distribution

SECONDARYCRANABAB

Wine Retail (Bottle Shops & Wine Merchants)

Consumer Products & Retail/Tobacco, Alcohol & Cannabis Retail/Beer, Wine & Spirits Specialty Retail

Keywords

• Natural wine import
• Private wine importation
• Wine agency services
• Natural wine distribution
• Quebec wine import

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Agency fees for private import services: Revenue comes exclusively from agency fees charged for private import services. The company acts as an authorized agent between wine producers and Quebec customers. Wine prices paid separately to SAQ. Customers pay agency fees online to confirm orders, then pay wine costs at SAQ pickup location.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Le vin dans les voiles is a Montréal-based private wine importation agency that curates and imports natural wines from over 70 independent producers worldwide into Quebec through the SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) private import system. Customers — both individual consumers and restaurants, cafés, bars, and cavistes — order wine by the case (3, 6, or 12 bottles) via the online boutique, with SAQ handling warehousing and delivery to a chosen SAQ pickup location. The agency complements import services with wine-pairing guidance, wine workshops and tastings, dedicated restaurant account management, and educational content.

Product overview

Le vin dans les voiles is a Montreal-based natural wine private importation agency founded in 2015 by Julie Audette and Valériane Paré. The business operates as a Shopify-powered online store where customers (both individuals and restaurants) purchase wines by the case, with SAQ handling warehousing and delivery to designated SAQ locations. The core offering centers on their curated natural wine selection from over 70 international wineries, complemented by wine tasting workshops (at Maison Pepin, Le Parloir) and private/corporate events. The company also sells branded merchandise (VDLV sweatshirts) and maintains a wine-focused blog/newsletter ('Carnets de vin').

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Private Wine Importation Service Agency service that imports natural wines from international vineyards into Quebec through the SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) private import system. Customers order wine by the case (3, 6, or 12 bottles) via the online store, the agency handles import logistics, and wines are picked up at a designated SAQ location. Designed for both individual consumers and Quebec restaurant license holders seeking natural wines.
• Natural Wine Selection (Sparkling, White, Rosé, Orange, Red, Dessert) Curated selection of natural wines including Champagnes, traditional-method sparklings, pet'nat (pétillant naturel), still whites, rosés, orange wines, reds, and dessert wines sourced from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Greece, Georgia, Chile, USA, and Australia. Available in cases of 3, 6, or 12 bottles for individual consumers and restaurants throughout Quebec.
• Restaurant/Professional Account Services Dedicated services for Quebec restaurant license holders (restaurants, cafés, bars, cavistes) including personalized natural wine selection advice, tastings, menu pairing assistance, and ongoing account management. No account or representative fees are charged; SAQ handles delivery to the establishment.
• Wine Workshops and Tastings

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSAQ is the exclusive government-controlled alcohol retailer in Quebec and the distribution channel for all private imports. Le vin dans les voiles operates as an authorized import agency within SAQ's private import system. The SAQ handles all wine storage in their warehouses, invoicing, and delivery to pickup locations. This partnership is fundamental to the entire business model.
• Champagne Lelarge-PugeotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned Champagne house in Vrigny, 8 generations, run by Dominique Lelarge and Dominique Pugeot with children Clémence and Valentin. Biodynamic farming, 1er cru vineyards. Featured as the exclusive Champagne producer represented by the agency.
• Domaine Les Terres PromisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured French producer with multiple cuvées available including rosés, whites, and sparklings. One of the most represented producers in the portfolio.
• Domaine MossecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLoire Valley producer known for natural wines including Moussamoussettes pet'nat and other cuvées.
• Elisabetta MontesissacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian producer from Emilia-Romagna, known for natural wines including Bonissima orange wine and Rosissima rosé.
• OttomanicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTuscan producer offering multiple cuvées including Chianti Superiore, Toscana Bianco, and Toscana Rosato.
• Alessandra DivellacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian producer from Lombardy offering premium traditional method sparklings including Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de noirs.
• Gut OggaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian biodynamic winery offering distinctive natural wines including Emmeram and Atanasius.
• Raw WineminorOthersInternational natural wine fair/movement. Le vin dans les voiles is a listed member/supporter of the Raw Wine community.
• Tourisme MontréalminorOthersOfficial Montreal tourism organization. Le vin dans les voiles is listed as a member, reflecting their role in Montreal's wine and lifestyle scene.
• RaspipavminorOthersNatural wine event/organization. Le vin dans les voiles is listed as a member participant.
• Maison PepinminorOthersPartner venue for hosting natural wine tasting workshops in Montreal.
• Le ParloirminorOthersPartner venue for hosting natural wine tasting workshops in Montreal.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant: Iconic Berkeley, California-based importer and retailer specializing in natural and traditional-method wines from small French and Italian producers. Closest comparable to Le vin dans les voiles in mission (curated grower-producer portfolio), GTM (direct-to-restaurant plus direct-to-consumer), and editorial brand.
• Divine Vins: Quebec-based wine agency focused on natural and organic producers, distributing through the SAQ private-import system to Quebec restaurants and consumers. Most directly comparable in mission, channel, and geography.
• Verre Vin: Montreal-based wine import agency active in the Quebec private-import space with a curated producer portfolio and restaurant accounts. Competes head-to-head with Le vin dans les voiles for SAQ private-import allocations and restaurant wine programs.
• Jenny & François Selections: New York-based natural wine importer founded by a French couple, with a comparable focus on organic/biodynamic producers from France and beyond. Direct analog in terms of founder-driven curation, restaurant account model, and editorial-led brand building.
• Polaner Selections: US importer and distributor with a substantial natural and grower-producer portfolio (including Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot in some markets). Direct peer in representing many of the same French family-domain producers to a professional restaurant audience.
• Louis/Dressner Selections: New York natural wine importer-distributor with deep restaurant penetration across the US. Comparable to Le vin dans les voiles in portfolio style (natural/low-intervention producers from France, Italy, Austria, and beyond) and in serving as the primary conduit between small growers and independent restaurants.
• Noble Sélection: Quebec wine import agency operating inside the SAQ private-import framework, serving restaurants and consumers across the province. Direct peer because it shares both the regulatory channel (SAQ private import) and the province-specific B2B/B2C operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Skurnik Wines: Larger, established US importer with a broad portfolio that includes natural and grower-producer wines alongside classical regions. Comparable as a distributor channel to Le vin dans les voiles's restaurant account model, though at meaningfully larger scale and wider geographic scope.

Others

• Raw Wine: International natural-wine fair and community movement. Le vin dans les voiles is a listed member/supporter; Raw Wine functions as an ecosystem enabler (tastings, producer discovery) rather than a competitor, but materially shapes the natural-wine demand environment the agency serves.
• La SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec): Quebec's government-controlled alcohol retailer and the exclusive distribution/logistics partner for all of Le vin dans les voiles's private-import activity. Not a competitor but the structural channel dependency that defines the agency's operating economics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vinvoiles
• Instagraminstagram.com/levindanslesvoiles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/levindanslesvoiles

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Le vin dans les voiles