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 host the inaugural Vancouver Island Whisky Festival, the only festival dedicated exclusively to celebrating whisky made on Vancouver Island, and the distinct terroir that shapes every drop.

Set against Merridale’s orchard backdrop in Cobble Hill, the festival brings together eight Vancouver Island whisky distillers for an intimate, cocktail-style tasting experience that highlights the Island’s climate, water, grain, and craft. Participating distilleries include: we should name them all.

“This started as a small idea and quickly became something much bigger,” says Jan Docherty, owner of Merridale Cidery & Distillery. “Vancouver Island has a character all its own, and the whisky made here reflects that, from the land and water to the people behind it. This festival is about celebrating Island terroir, craftsmanship, and the pride we share in making world-class whisky right here at home.”

Designed to encourage lingering, conversation, and connection, the Vancouver Island Whisky Festival pairs each tasting with a thoughtfully curated bite to enhance flavour and texture. Guests are invited to move at their own pace, engaging directly with distillers in a warm, elevated setting that feels both elegant and unmistakably Island.

“More than anything, we want people to meet the makers,” Docherty adds. “These are passionate, creative distillers who care deeply about their craft. This festival gives guests the chance to hear their stories, understand their process, and taste how Vancouver Island shows up in every glass.”

The event will welcome approximately 125 guests from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, creating an intimate environment where distillers can share insights into their inspirations, techniques, and the unique challenges (and rewards) of distilling on Vancouver Island.

“What excites me most is seeing our distilling community come together,” says Docherty. “This is more than a single night. It’s a celebration of place, collaboration, and the remarkable whisky culture quietly flourishing on Vancouver Island.” Tickets are limited! To book your reservations email [email protected] or call 250-743-4293.

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Media Contact

Trina Notman 778-898-0495 [email protected]

Why Vancouver Island Terroir Matters

Vancouver Island’s whisky tells a story you can taste. Surrounded by ocean, shaped by cool coastal temperatures, mineral-rich water, and a slower aging environment, Island whisky develops differently than spirits made elsewhere. These conditions allow for longer fermentation, nuanced maturation, and layered flavour profiles that reflect place as much as process. Much like wine, whisky is deeply influenced by where it’s made, and Vancouver Island’s terroir produces spirits that are distinctive, expressive, and unmistakably of the Island.

About Merridale Cidery & Distillery

Located in the Cowichan Valley, Merridale Cidery & Distillery is Vancouver Island’s oldest estate cidery and a year-round farm destination where people (and their dogs) gather. Led by Janet Docherty, Owner & Chief Disruptor, Merridale grows, ferments, distills, and cooks on site with deep respect for the land and the seasons. Known for its warm hospitality, dog-friendly ethos, and vibrant community energy, Merridale offers a welcoming place to slow down, connect, and savour Island craft.