Merridale Cidery & Distillery

Merridale Cidery & Distillery is one of Vancouver Island's signature farm destinations, set among orchards in Cobble Hill in the Cowichan Valley, an easy drive north of Victoria. Widely recognized as BC's oldest estate cidery and the province's first craft distillery, Merridale built its reputation on doing things the slow, farm-crafted way: its ciders, spirits and fortified ciders are made from one hundred percent undiluted apple juice grown and produced right on the Cobble Hill farm. That estate-grown approach gives visitors a rare chance to taste cider the way wine lovers taste wine, with the orchard that produced the fruit visible just beyond the door. The property brings the whole operation together in one place, with the cidery, the distillery, a tasting bar and an eatery all on site, and the farm also serves as a popular setting for weddings and special events. A visit typically unfolds at an unhurried pace: guests can sample traditional and contemporary ciders alongside small-batch spirits at the tasting bar, settle in for a meal at the farm eatery, and wander the grounds among the apple trees. The Cowichan Valley around Merridale is one of Canada's mildest growing regions, a pocket of farmland, vineyards and artisan food producers between Victoria and Duncan, and the cidery makes a natural stop on any tasting tour of the area. Because it pours cider and spirits rather than grape wine, Merridale offers a refreshing change of pace on a Vancouver Island touring itinerary, and its family-friendly farm setting makes it as appealing to casual day-trippers as it is to serious cider enthusiasts. The farm is open year-round, seven days a week, though hours and offerings vary seasonally, so checking the website before visiting is recommended. It remains a fixture of the Cowichan Valley's food and drink scene.