MERRIDALE SPIRITS
Welcome to Merridale’s
Cowichan Spirit Line
Where Craft Meets Character
At Merridale we’re rewriting the spirits script with a dash of unconventional flair. Our secret ingredients? Cider apples and honey. That’s right – no ordinary spirits here!
Crafting with Character
We kick off our journey by tending to our orchards, using cider apples that we grow, and beekeeping in a way that Mother Nature would high-five. Sustainable farming isn’t just a trend for us; it’s the backbone of our entire operation. We stopped using herbicides and pesticides in 2001. Knowing the ins and outs of our ingredients is the magic sauce in our fermentation and distillation concoction.
Art Meets Science
Distillation is a dance–part art, part science. Our skilled master distiller, Laurent Lafuente, choreographs the show. At centre stage is a 200-liter hand-hammered copper pot still from Germany, turning our own apples, BC honey, wild botanicals and other fine ingredients into aromatic brandies, gins, rhumbs (rum), vodka, and fortified spirits.
Our Spirits
To us, ‘Craft’ isn’t about how big our batches are or the numbers on the production scoreboard. It’s all about the ingredients and the process. Each bottle is a symphony of flavors, a reflection of our orchard, and a testament to our craftsmanship.
Sip the Story
Take a sip, and you’ll taste the story of our orchards and the buzz from BC honey hives. It’s the journey from orchard to glass, with every step meticulously overseen by us. Our spirits are more than a drink – they’re a narrative of dedication and quality.
This project is supported by the BC Government’s Buy BC Partnership Program; delivered by MNP LLP with funding from the Government of British Columbia.