Details

Merridale Cidery & Distillery

1230 Merridale Road, Cobble Hill

250-743-4293

WEBSITE

Hours

Monday to Thursday: 11:00am-6:00pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 11:00am-8:00pm

*Last seating is always one hour before close

Gallery

The People

Janet Docherty, Co-Owner
Rick Pipes, Co-Owner & Head Distiller
Jason Child, General Manager

About Merridale Cidery & Distillery

A delicious destination in the heart of the Cowichan Valley, here at Merridale Cidery & Distillery we are an apple orchard, a craft ciderhouse, a small batch distillery, farm to table eatery, and full-service events venue. Specializing in traditional craft cider and spirits, we create socially responsible and sustainable high-quality libations and food. Locals and travelers alike are encouraged to slow down, relax, breathe deeply, and soak in everything the 20 acre farm has to offer. Merridale is truly a west coast-inspired experience.

Life on Vancouver Island is all about quality, and here at the Merridale farm, we take time to enjoy every moment. We live well and we invite our guests to experience a slice of the good life when they visit in person. We are proud to make high-quality cider and spirits that add pleasure and enjoyment to life.

When You’re Here, You’re Family

When you visit Merridale, you feel it – the atmosphere is friendly, easy, and joyful. Our farm is located at the end of a long, winding driveway past gently rolling hills that will put you in the mood to relax and enjoy the spaciousness and beautiful climate that Cowichan is known for. At certain times of year, you’ll pick up a light scent of apple blossoms on the breeze. It’s a sensory experience, much like our ciders and spirits.

More Orchard in Every Glass: Guided By Nature

Our approach is all about guiding nature’s process to develop high-quality, all-natural products that are farm crafted with a sense of character, curiosity and intrigue. We are committed to making craft cider by growing heritage cider apples and slow-fermenting the juice from the first apple pressing.

The unique flavours, notes, and tannins come from the ground where the apples are grown, the juice, skin, and seeds, and the natural fermenting and distilling processes. We do not create mixed beverages, but rather craft pure cider and spirits.

Sustainable, 100% Pure and Gluten Free

We are committed to using sustainable practices at Merridale and continually seek to improve our processes. Our entire farm, cellar, distillery, and Farmhouse Eatery are physically in one location which helps to reduce our carbon footprint. Our packaging is selected with the environment in mind and is completely recyclable.

Merridale is proud to be a safe and inclusive destination. Everyone is welcome at Merridale. Our guests come from all walks of life and so do we! We are grateful for the opportunity to host guests and welcome employees of myriad cultural, national and faith identities; across the spectrum of gender identities and expressions and sexual orientations; and with diverse abilities. Our washrooms are gender-neutral and wheelchair-accessible. The main walkways on our property are paved and flat, and our farmhouse, Farm Store, Eatery, and cellar are all wheelchair-accessible.

We are Of and For Vancouver Island

Our motivation has always been about our community and the place we call home. No one succeeds alone. We maintain strong, symbiotic relationships with our neighbours, the local business community, tourism partners and industry associations. We employ many members of the community and are proud to be a good neighbour to those around us.

We respectfully acknowledge the territory on which we gather on Vancouver Island as part of the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples. We are thankful to share this beautiful region with respect and reverence for their historic connection to this place. We strive for truth, healing and prosperity as our nation moves together on a journey of peace and reconciliation.

Awards & Accolades

“A must-stop for food and drink and amazing service! It was the first time visiting Merridale Cidery and Distillery with my family and won’t be the last! All the staff were so attentive, professional, kind and knowledgeable. A must stop for food and drink and amazing service! Thank you and will see you all again soon.” — Deborah Robinson

“I wish I could give it another 3 stars! We arrived to a bright and welcoming atmosphere, with a smile on every server and hostess! The tasting was exceptional, from the presentation to the selection. The food is what really drove this review and I wish I could give it another 3 stars.” — Ian Johnson

“We visited the restaurant at Merridale after sampling the wonderful cider and realized they have a restaurant, and cidery that we can visit the tour. So this last Saturday, we made reservations and joined others in an amazing dinner and simply a great experience. The staff and service were awesome, the meal was delicious and the overall cost was perfect. We even picked up some cider that we had sampled at dinner. You just have to try it, you will be thrilled you did. Oh, and just to add that there are many great restaurants around, but very, very few that have the beautiful walk up, and private feel of eating on an estate. That was special. Thank you.” — Shawn Snobelen