Ciderfest and the Craft We Love | Jan’s Blog

Janet’s Blog: Ciderfest and the Craft We Love

Here goes – my first-ever monthly blog. Just me, Janet Docherty, owner, chief disruptor, and unapologetic dog lover at Merridale, pulling back the curtain. I’ll be sharing stories about life here – why we do what we do, the people (and dogs) who make it special, and the moments worth celebrating. If you’ve met me, you know I’m not shy about saying what I think, but you also know I’m passionate about what I do and care deeply about my team, the environment, and the community. And yes, I love dogs. If you come to Merridale, you’ll see just how many are here. But back to the Cider Festival.

We’ve been at this for over 30 years, and every so often someone asks me when I’m going to retire. Maybe never. I love what I do, and I hope you can feel that when you visit – whether you’re tasting cider, eating in the Eatery, or just soaking in the view. So, for my very first blog, I’m starting with the cider. Where it all began for Merridale: the apple orchard.

But what does it mean to be a “craft cidery”? To even hold a craft cidery license in BC, you must grow some of your own apples. That means you need to know at least a little about farming. You must be rooted – literally – in a piece of land. You start paying attention to the rhythms of the seasons, the threat of wildfires, the scarcity of water, and the other creatures and plants that share your land. You see how everything is connected. And once you see it, you can’t unsee it. You care more.

That’s why Merridale isn’t just a business to me – it’s a celebration of life. The good moments. The fun moments. The delicious moments. And above all, it’s about community. So, seven years ago, we thought, what if we created a festival where all the craft cideries like us could come together? Not a Merridale show, but a gathering where everyone could shine.

In the beginning, we covered the costs ourselves because we believed in the idea. Then Tourism Cowichan came on board. They saw the value in bringing these talented cider makers together here in Cowichan – our warm, fertile valley. From orchards and vineyards to farms and cool places, this region is a food-and-drink mecca, and the festival has become a way to share that abundance with visitors and locals alike.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to the cideries joining us this year – where they’re from, what makes them unique, and why we’re proud to raise a glass alongside them. Because while Merridale is our home, craft cider is our community.

PS. If reading this has piqued your interest in joining us for the festival, click here to get your early bird tickets. They’re available until the end of August.

Until our next orchard moment,