A Vancouver Island cidery voted best in two renowned competitions

Merridale Cidery & Distillery—a family-owned and operated business in Cowichan Valley known for their wide range of ciders and spirits—has recently been voted the best in two world-renowned competitions.

The Vancouver Island cidery won gold in the Seattle International Cider & Perry Awards for several of its creations, including the Traditional, Mo’moro and Merri Berri ciders, and won both silver and double gold at the 7th annual Cidercraft Awards (a competition spearheaded by the first and only print publication dedicated to cider in North America and the rest of the world) for its Cowichan Dry and Merri Berri brews. The recognition highlights the cidery’s universal appeal and dedication to making excellent ciders.

“It’s been many years since we have entered competitions, however, entering these competitions gives us the opportunity to highlight our cellar and distillery”, said Janet Docherty, owner of Merridale, in a recent press release.

“Our team is incredibly skilled, passionate, and dedicated to craft. I want to congratulate Jeff Phillips, our cider master, and the rest of his team for staying true to craft and caring so much about what Merridale creates. These awards belong to them.” 

Merridale’s ciders are defined by several important pillars; namely, they’re made with apples from Cowichan Valley which share similar climatic conditions as cider apples in England, France and Germany, followed by a long and slow fermentation period without any chemical shortcuts. They’re also made using highly sustainable growing methods—since 2000, without any use of herbicides or pesticides on the orchard.

Only a 40-minute drive from Victoria, Merridale offers unique tasting experiences, distillery tours, diverse dining experiences and a variety of exciting events throughout the year, including live music every weekend, holiday parties and festivals curated for cider enthusiasts. It’s also possible to stay overnight in a yurt between April and November, making for a unique romantic getaway right on the orchard grounds.

For more information about the cidery’s products and events, as well as their online shop, visit them on their website.