GOLD
Best New World Cider // Cowichan Dry
Merridale is B.C.’s first craft cidery. Its founders took over this enchanting yet slightly run-down cidery in Cobble Hill back in 1999, and then set to work transforming Merridale into a thriving establishment featuring a farm, cidery, distillery, farmhouse store, and eatery. It’s a true destination — you can wander the orchards on a self-guided tour, sample ciders in the tasting room, and enjoy lunch in the eatery. Larger gatherings can be booked and you can even stay overnight in a luxurious yurt.
As a Biosphere-certified enterprise, Merridale has always operated sustainably. They use regenerative farming practices, including no chemicals, herbicides or pesticides on the farm or in the orchard. At Merridale, dandelions aren’t weeds; they are a welcome mat for pollinators. Intentionally left unmown until the trees bloom, they provide essential early food for bees and set the stage for a season-long rhythm that brings the orchard to life. With bees buzzing in the trees and native plants thriving across the property, Merridale is committed to preserving the ecosystem that gives life to every sip.
Cowichan Dry, which won the Growlie for Best New World Cider, is one of Merridale’s flagship ciders. It was fermented from a blend of English and French cider apples, balancing fruitiness, sharpness and dry character with a touch of tannins. It’s just one of many different ciders produced at Merridale, all made from the variety of cider apples grown in the orchard, some with additional ingredients like berries, watermelon, or spices.
Beyond ciders, Merridale also operates an on-site distillery producing whisky, gin, brandy, rhumb, vodka and various fruit liqueurs.
