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.
A Dog-Friendly Day in the Cowichan Valley: Meet Mika at Merridale | Jan’s Blog
I rescued Mika from the BC SPCA. But somewhere along the way, she rescued me. Mika is a nine-month-old golden [...]
Cider Harvest Festival Guide: How to Taste Cider | Jan’s Blog
How to Taste Cider: A Simple Cider Tasting GuideTaste cider in the orchard where it beginsThe 8th Annual Cider Festival [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Cider Apples vs Eating Apples
Cider Apples vs. Eating Apples: What's the Difference? If you've ever visited Merridale, you've probably heard us say that [...]
What Are Tannins? A Beginner’s Guide to Cider
What Are Tannins? (And Why Cider Lovers Should Care) Walk through the orchard during harvest and you'll hear us [...]
Merridale Earns Two Silvers at the World Cider Awards
Here at Merridale Cidery & Distillery, we are proud to announce two significant wins at the prestigious World Cider Awards. [...]
Merridale Wins 5 Medals for their Ciders
At Merridale Cidery & Distillery, we are thrilled to announce our outstanding performance at two renowned cider award competitions this [...]
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 [...]
Whisky Jacks Wins Gold
We are proud to announce that Whisky Jacks has been awarded Gold for Best Small Batch Single Malt [...]
Mo’Tini | Merridale Distillery Recipe
An Easy Cider Martini Recipe Bright, citrusy and crisp, the Mo’Moro Martini puts a Merridale twist on a classic spirit-forward [...]
Cowichan Spiced Rhumb Mojito | Merridale Distillery Recipe
An Easy Spiced Rhumb Mojito Cocktail Recipe Fresh mint, zesty lime, warming ginger, and Merridale Cowichan Spiced Rhumb come together [...]
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,” [...]
Why Simple Outings Are Becoming More Valuable | Jan’s Blog
Why simple outings are becoming more valuable I didn’t realize how important simple outings were, or how much I [...]
Why We’re Choosing Play This March | Jan’s Blog
March at Merridale Cidery & Distillery is about play, and if I’m honest, this theme is deeply personal. Over [...]
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 [...]
A Christmas Moment Close to My Heart | Jan’s Blog
As the year winds down and the lights begin to twinkle across the orchard, I find myself taking a [...]
Making a Difference, One Paw at a Time | Jan’s Blog
I know it’s early to start thinking about Christmas, but it’s never too early to start thinking about what [...]
Cider Apples vs Eating Apples
Cider Apples vs. Eating Apples: What's the Difference? If you've ever visited Merridale, you've probably heard us say that [...]
What Are Tannins? A Beginner’s Guide to Cider
What Are Tannins? (And Why Cider Lovers Should Care) Walk through the orchard during harvest and you'll hear us [...]
Merridale Earns Two Silvers at the World Cider Awards
Here at Merridale Cidery & Distillery, we are proud to announce two significant wins at the prestigious World Cider Awards. [...]
Merridale Wins 5 Medals for their Ciders
At Merridale Cidery & Distillery, we are thrilled to announce our outstanding performance at two renowned cider award competitions this [...]
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 [...]
Whisky Jacks Wins Gold
We are proud to announce that Whisky Jacks has been awarded Gold for Best Small Batch Single Malt [...]
Mo’Tini | Merridale Distillery Recipe
An Easy Cider Martini Recipe Bright, citrusy and crisp, the Mo’Moro Martini puts a Merridale twist on a classic spirit-forward [...]
Cowichan Spiced Rhumb Mojito | Merridale Distillery Recipe
An Easy Spiced Rhumb Mojito Cocktail Recipe Fresh mint, zesty lime, warming ginger, and Merridale Cowichan Spiced Rhumb come together [...]
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,” [...]
Why Simple Outings Are Becoming More Valuable | Jan’s Blog
Why simple outings are becoming more valuable I didn’t realize how important simple outings were, or how much I [...]
Why We’re Choosing Play This March | Jan’s Blog
March at Merridale Cidery & Distillery is about play, and if I’m honest, this theme is deeply personal. Over [...]
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 [...]
A Christmas Moment Close to My Heart | Jan’s Blog
As the year winds down and the lights begin to twinkle across the orchard, I find myself taking a [...]
Making a Difference, One Paw at a Time | Jan’s Blog
I know it’s early to start thinking about Christmas, but it’s never too early to start thinking about what [...]
A Dog-Friendly Day in the Cowichan Valley: Meet Mika at Merridale | Jan’s Blog
I rescued Mika from the BC SPCA. But somewhere along the way, she rescued me. Mika is a nine-month-old golden [...]
Cider Harvest Festival Guide: How to Taste Cider | Jan’s Blog
How to Taste Cider: A Simple Cider Tasting GuideTaste cider in the orchard where it beginsThe 8th Annual Cider Festival [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]