The Sugarbush of a Lifetime
The story of Jimmy Vachon and Gaby Leclerc is, above all, a family story. Their sugarbush, Gestion M.
et L. Vachon, located in Saint-Robert-Bellarmin, Quebec, originally belonged to Jimmy’s father. At the
time, around 1980, the operation had approximately 4,000 taps and ran on a generator. Since then, it has
evolved significantly, driven by thoughtful decisions and the support of the right people.
A CHILDHOOD DREAM
From a very young age, Jimmy grew up in the world of maple
syrup. “If he hadn’t taken over the family sugarbush, he would
have bought another one,” his partner Gaby says with a laugh,
illustrating just how important this dream has always been to him.
Yet, his professional path first led him elsewhere. He studied
refrigeration and worked in commercial installations for arenas,
slaughterhouses, and fish processing plants. Still, he returned to
the sugarbush every weekend.
In 2011, Jimmy became a shareholder in the family business. Then,
in 2018, he made the leap to working there full-time. Today, their
sugarbush has 31,600 taps.
A SUGARBUSH BUILT AROUND FAMILY
Listening to Gaby, it quickly becomes clear how central family
is to their operation. Each member has their place. She handles
administration and boiling “that’s my zone,” she says with a smilewhile
Jimmy oversees operations in the woods.
Around them is a whole family: Joey, the youngest, Jérémy, Jessika,
and the late James, whose children were literally raised in the world
of maple syrup. For Jimmy and Gaby, James’s presence deeply
shaped the sugarbush and the sugarhouse as they exist today.
His presence still lives on and continues to guide their decisions.
During the sugaring season, everyone pitches in. Jérémy takes
part in every stage, from tapping to untapping, and spends much
of his time at the sugarbush. Jessika helps with the barrels and
wherever needed. Untapping is often done as a family.
As for the youngest, Joey, he is already fully involved in the season.
Curious, attentive, and always eager to learn, he notices details
in the woods that even the most experienced tappers do not
always see. “He has a lynx’s eye,” Gaby says proudly.
Maple production is already part of his daily life. On Halloween,
Joey does not choose a superhero costume, he dresses up as
a CDL installer. Nothing less!
REBUILDING TO GO FURTHER
When Jimmy became more involved in the business, he had a
clear goal: to rebuild the sugarbush.
In 2015, the decision became unavoidable. The infrastructure was
aging, the tubing was becoming outdated, and the buildings were
beginning to deteriorate. One particularly windy year even made
them fear that some structures might collapse.
“That year, Jimmy said: next year, we make the move,” Gaby recalls.
They had to start almost from scratch.
The reconstruction was an opportunity to rethink the entire
operation, integrating modern, high-performance equipment:
new tubing, an underground collection system, a vacuum pump,
a monitoring system, four tanks, an intelligent concentrator, a
syrup press, and a propane Master evaporator.
Since then, they have taken particular care to keep their sugarbush
clean and well maintained. Not necessarily to the point of “being
able to eat off the floor,” she jokes, but because it truly matters
to them.
They want the business to remain strong over time and ensure
that, if one day their children choose to continue the journey,
they can do so with a healthy, well maintained operation ready
to carry on. This is also what led them to surround themselves
with the right people to make informed decisions.
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES
Over the years, Jimmy and Gaby have learned to make more
strategic decisions.
“Today, we can’t spend without thinking. We always have to ask
ourselves: is this really a priority? Will it improve the business?”
Gaby explains.
They once considered major expansions. But due to labor
challenges and time constraints, they chose a different path.
For them, it is better to take good care of what they already have.
The goal is not to be the biggest, but to do things properly because,
in their eyes, a sugarbush should never become a burden.
It should remain a passion.
A COLLABORATION BUILT ON TRUST
Throughout their journey, Jimmy and Gaby have come to
understand the importance of surrounding themselves with
the right people. Their relationship with CDL dates back to the
early days of their modernization projects.
Gaby still remembers the first visit from Jocelyn Pouliot of CDL La
Guadeloupe, now retired. For hours, he answered their questions
and shared his experience in the woods.
What stood out most to them was his honesty. Rather than
speculating on topics he did not fully master, Jocelyn guided
them toward Serge Tanguay, now Executive Director of Business
Development, and Vallier Chabot, Co-owner and General Manager
both experts in evaporators.
That humility left a lasting impression. The ease of communication
and approachability also helped build that relationship.
“That’s what we like about CDL,” Gaby explains.
“When you call, it doesn’t take weeks to get an answer. There’s
honesty, service… and above all, real dialogue. You’re not just a
number.”
Over time, other representatives took over through different
projects, notably Jean-François Robert, who continues to advise
them today.
For Jimmy and Gaby, this relationship is based on something
simple: mutual trust.
PASSING ON MORE THAN A SUGARBUSH
Looking ahead, the couple hopes their children will continue the
adventure but they don’t want to impose anything. What matters
most to them is that each person follows their own path.
Gaby often speaks about Jimmy’s dream with emotion:
“His dream was to rebuild the business, make it thrive, and truly
make a living from it. If one day the torch is passed on, that’s life.
His part will be done… and it will be up to the children to carry theirs.”
Above all, what they want to pass on are their values: family,
simplicity, the joy of working together, and the ability to stay
positive despite challenges.
And throughout this journey, one thing remains essential:
surrounding yourself with partners who share that same vision.
Because beyond equipment and projects, it is human relationships
that allow businesses to grow and endure.
