Merridale Blog
Merridale Blog
Stories From Our Cowichan Valley Farm & Orchard
Welcome to the Merridale blog, where we share stories from our Cowichan Valley farm and orchard on Vancouver Island. Follow the seasons through Jan’s Orchard Notes, written by Merridale owner Janet Docherty, and discover what’s growing and happening around the farm.
Learn about the orchard, discover the craft of cider and spirits, explore cocktail recipes, meet the people behind Merridale, and find plenty of reasons to experience the Cowichan Valley throughout the year.
Jan’s Orchard Notes: Harvest at Merridale – More Than Picking Apples
Summer is winding down. The long, busy days are beginning to slow, the kids are heading back to school, [...]
A Dog-Friendly Fall Day in the Cowichan Valley | Jan’s Blog
If you came to Merridale this summer, you may have met me. I probably didn’t introduce myself, but there’s a [...]
Cider Apples: What Makes an Apple Worth Pressing? | Jan’s Blog
There is a moment every year when we start watching the orchard a little more closely. It’s still summer, but [...]
Jan’s Orchard Notes: August in the Orchard – The lazy, hazy days of August
There is something about this time of year that makes you want to slow down. The weather is usually at [...]
August in Our Cowichan Valley Orchard | Jan’s Blog
There are mornings when I walk through the orchard and nothing seems very different. And then there are mornings [...]
Five Things to Discover at Merridale in the Cowichan Valley | Jan’s Blog
One of my favourite parts of owning Merridale in the Cowichan Valley is hearing people say, "We've driven past [...]
Watch the Apple Press in Action at Merridale This October
Want to see where cider really begins? Come watch us press apples during harvest at Merridale. October is one of [...]
Pasteurized vs. Unpasteurized Cider: What’s the Difference?
Did You Know? Pasteurized vs. Unpasteurized Cider If you've ever looked closely at the cider at Merridale, you may have [...]
Two Merridale Ciders Take Home 2026 Growlie Awards
We have something to celebrate in the cidery! The results are in for The Growler’s 2026 Craft Beer & Cider [...]
How to Taste Cider Like a Pro
How to Taste Cider Like a Pro: A Simple Cider Tasting Guide You don’t need a fancy vocabulary or years [...]
Award-Winning BC Cider | Merridale Wins 3 Northwest Cider Cup Medals
Merridale Cidery & Distillery is celebrating another milestone after earning three medals at the 2026 Northwest Cider Cup, one of [...]
Merridale Cidery Wins Big at the 9th Annual Cidercraft Awards
There’s something special happening in the Cowichan Valley, and we’re proud to say it’s being recognized on the national stage. [...]
3 Easy Cider Cocktails | Merridale Distillery Recipes
3 Easy Cider Cocktails to Make at Home Looking for easy cider cocktails? These three simple cider cocktail recipes combine [...]
Merri Berri Seltzer | Merridale Distillery Recipe
The Merri Berri Seltzer is a light, refreshing cocktail that puts Merridale's fruit-forward Merri Berri Cider front and centre. Cowichan [...]
Traditional Tea | Merridale Distillery Recipe
The Traditional Tea brings together the warm spice of Merridale Spiced Rhumb, fragrant Earl Grey tea and the bright acidity [...]
Raspberry Daiquiri | Merridale Distillery Recipe
Bright, tart and packed with berry flavour, the Raspberry Daiquiri is a fresh Merridale take on the classic daiquiri. Merridale [...]
5 Orchard-Inspired Drinks for Fall at Merridale
As the orchard shifts from summer to harvest, our cocktail menu changes with it. From bright citrus cocktails to warm [...]
Vancouver Island’s Only Whisky Festival Celebrating Island Terroir at Merridale
Cobble Hill, BC — Vancouver Island’s whisky moment has arrived. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Merridale Cidery & Distillery will [...]
Fall Market in the Cowichan Valley | Harvest for Hounds
A Fall Market for Dogs & Their People in the Cowichan Valley October 3 & 4, 2026 | Merridale Cidery [...]
Watch the Apple Press in Action at Merridale This October
Want to see where cider really begins? Come watch us press apples during harvest at Merridale. October is one of [...]
Where to Stay When Visiting the Cowichan Valley: A Vancouver Island Fall Getaway
Fall is one of the best times to discover the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.The vineyards are harvesting grapes, apples [...]
Looking for a Dog-Friendly Restaurant in the Cowichan Valley? Visit Merridale
Looking for a dog-friendly restaurant in the Cowichan Valley where your pup can do more than just sit under the [...]
Five Things to Discover at Merridale in the Cowichan Valley | Jan’s Blog
One of my favourite parts of owning Merridale in the Cowichan Valley is hearing people say, "We've driven past [...]
The Force of Mom | Jan’s Blog
There’s a certain kind of energy in the world that doesn’t always get named properly. We call it “mom,” [...]
Watch the Apple Press in Action at Merridale This October
Want to see where cider really begins? Come watch us press apples during harvest at Merridale. October is one of [...]
Pasteurized vs. Unpasteurized Cider: What’s the Difference?
Did You Know? Pasteurized vs. Unpasteurized Cider If you've ever looked closely at the cider at Merridale, you may have [...]
Two Merridale Ciders Take Home 2026 Growlie Awards
We have something to celebrate in the cidery! The results are in for The Growler’s 2026 Craft Beer & Cider [...]
How to Taste Cider Like a Pro
How to Taste Cider Like a Pro: A Simple Cider Tasting Guide You don’t need a fancy vocabulary or years [...]
Award-Winning BC Cider | Merridale Wins 3 Northwest Cider Cup Medals
Merridale Cidery & Distillery is celebrating another milestone after earning three medals at the 2026 Northwest Cider Cup, one of [...]
Merridale Cidery Wins Big at the 9th Annual Cidercraft Awards
There’s something special happening in the Cowichan Valley, and we’re proud to say it’s being recognized on the national stage. [...]
3 Easy Cider Cocktails | Merridale Distillery Recipes
3 Easy Cider Cocktails to Make at Home Looking for easy cider cocktails? These three simple cider cocktail recipes combine [...]
Merri Berri Seltzer | Merridale Distillery Recipe
The Merri Berri Seltzer is a light, refreshing cocktail that puts Merridale's fruit-forward Merri Berri Cider front and centre. Cowichan [...]
Traditional Tea | Merridale Distillery Recipe
The Traditional Tea brings together the warm spice of Merridale Spiced Rhumb, fragrant Earl Grey tea and the bright acidity [...]
Raspberry Daiquiri | Merridale Distillery Recipe
Bright, tart and packed with berry flavour, the Raspberry Daiquiri is a fresh Merridale take on the classic daiquiri. Merridale [...]
5 Orchard-Inspired Drinks for Fall at Merridale
As the orchard shifts from summer to harvest, our cocktail menu changes with it. From bright citrus cocktails to warm [...]
Vancouver Island’s Only Whisky Festival Celebrating Island Terroir at Merridale
Cobble Hill, BC — Vancouver Island’s whisky moment has arrived. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Merridale Cidery & Distillery will [...]
Fall Market in the Cowichan Valley | Harvest for Hounds
A Fall Market for Dogs & Their People in the Cowichan Valley October 3 & 4, 2026 | Merridale Cidery [...]
Watch the Apple Press in Action at Merridale This October
Want to see where cider really begins? Come watch us press apples during harvest at Merridale. October is one of [...]
Where to Stay When Visiting the Cowichan Valley: A Vancouver Island Fall Getaway
Fall is one of the best times to discover the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.The vineyards are harvesting grapes, apples [...]
Looking for a Dog-Friendly Restaurant in the Cowichan Valley? Visit Merridale
Looking for a dog-friendly restaurant in the Cowichan Valley where your pup can do more than just sit under the [...]
Five Things to Discover at Merridale in the Cowichan Valley | Jan’s Blog
One of my favourite parts of owning Merridale in the Cowichan Valley is hearing people say, "We've driven past [...]
The Force of Mom | Jan’s Blog
There’s a certain kind of energy in the world that doesn’t always get named properly. We call it “mom,” [...]
Jan’s Orchard Notes: Harvest at Merridale – More Than Picking Apples
Summer is winding down. The long, busy days are beginning to slow, the kids are heading back to school, [...]
A Dog-Friendly Fall Day in the Cowichan Valley | Jan’s Blog
If you came to Merridale this summer, you may have met me. I probably didn’t introduce myself, but there’s a [...]
Cider Apples: What Makes an Apple Worth Pressing? | Jan’s Blog
There is a moment every year when we start watching the orchard a little more closely. It’s still summer, but [...]
Jan’s Orchard Notes: August in the Orchard – The lazy, hazy days of August
There is something about this time of year that makes you want to slow down. The weather is usually at [...]
August in Our Cowichan Valley Orchard | Jan’s Blog
There are mornings when I walk through the orchard and nothing seems very different. And then there are mornings [...]
Five Things to Discover at Merridale in the Cowichan Valley | Jan’s Blog
One of my favourite parts of owning Merridale in the Cowichan Valley is hearing people say, "We've driven past [...]