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 here for years and finally decided to stop.” Almost always, the next thing they tell me is,

“We had no idea there was so much here.”

That always makes me smile.

When people first arrive, they often think they’re visiting a craft cidery. By the time they leave, they’ve discovered that Merridale is really a collection of stories, all connected by an orchard.

As I walked through the property this week, I found myself thinking about the little things I hope our guests notice. They’re not necessarily the first things people see, but they’re often the things they remember most.

1. The orchard isn’t the backdrop. It is the beginning.

Every bottle of Merridale craft cider begins here among our traditional cider apples. Before anyone pours a craft cider flight, before our cider reaches a restaurant or liquor store, before a bottle finds its way onto someone’s dinner table or picnic basket, it begins as fruit growing quietly on these trees.

Whenever I walk the orchard, I’m reminded that we’re really farming stories as much as apples.

2. Our copper pot still has its own personality.

If you’ve visited the craft distillery, you’ve probably noticed the beautiful copper still. Every time I walk into our distillery and see the copper pot still shining, I’m reminded of the wonderful copper chocolate machinery from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As a child, I imagined something almost magical happening inside it. I still feel a little of that wonder today.

Only instead of chocolate, our still transforms the fruit of our orchard into handcrafted spirits on Vancouver Island, and I never seem to lose the excitement of watching that happen.

3. Every season changes our Cowichan Valley orchard.

One reason I never tire of walking the orchard is because it never stays the same. Spring is full of blossoms. Summer is lush and green. Autumn brings colour, harvest and excitement.

Even winter has a peaceful beauty that reminds us the orchard is simply resting before another season begins. No two visits are ever quite alike.

4. Our kitchen is part of the orchard story.

People often tell us they came to Merridale for cider or spirits and stayed longer because of lunch. That makes me happy because our Eatery was created to be more than a place to enjoy a meal. It is another way to experience our farm, our orchard and the flavours of the Cowichan Valley.

Our chefs create seasonal farm-to-table dishes inspired by what grows around us. We use our own ciders and spirits throughout our menu, fresh herbs and vegetables from our gardens, and even a bread starter created from our own cider fermentations. Every ingredient tells a story, connecting the orchard, the garden, the kitchen and the glass in front of you.

This is true farm-to-table dining on Vancouver Island. It takes time and care to create food this way. We are not fast food, and we do not want to be. We believe great food starts with knowing where your ingredients come from, taking the time to prepare them thoughtfully, and pairing them with beverages made right here at Merridale.

5. Slow down.

If there’s one thing I hope every visitor takes home, it isn’t a bottle.

It’s a feeling.

We live in a world that encourages us to rush from one thing to the next. The orchard asks something different. Walk a little slower. Notice how the apples have changed. Listen to the birds for a moment. Watch a family making memories together or a dog happily exploring every corner of the property.

These are small moments, but they stay with us.

As harvest draws closer, I take in the heat and lazy August days. Soon the orchard will become busier. There will be tractors moving through the rows, apples ready for picking, and the wonderful energy that Harvest Festival brings. But for now, August offers something special. It gives us time to notice.

So, if you’re planning a visit to the Cowichan Valley, I’d love to welcome you to Merridale.

Come for lunch.
Enjoy a craft cider tasting.
Wander through the orchard.
Ask questions.
Stay a little longer than you planned.

You might leave with a few bottles.

I hope you’ll also leave with a story.

And perhaps, like me, you’ll find yourself looking forward to seeing what the orchard has to say next week.