Cider & Wine List

Our BC Cider

Cidre Normandie   $20 bottle / $5 glass
Full-bodied still cider fermented to dry, then aged in French oak to soften the finish. Perfect with pork, game and rabbit. Winner of Commendation at the Northwest Cider Competition.

Somerset Cider — Champagne Style   $22 bottle / $7 glass
This is the English version of champagne-style cider, dry and sparkling, with balanced acids. Perfect for a special occasion, Somerset is aged for more than a year to become completely dry.

Scrumpy   $18 litre / $11 half litre / $5 glass
Scrumpy is strong, sharp and rich in the flavour of full-bodied apples fermented to dry. Winner of Gold & Silver at the North American Brewers Awards in Idaho Springs.

Traditional Cider   $15 litre / $9 half litre / $4 glass
Medium-bodied, dry and effervescent, this one has been called ‘the best English-style cider’ in Canada by Jurgen Gothe. Gold Medal Winner at the Northwest Cider Competition. Winner of two bronze medals in England.

House Cider   $15 litre / $9 half litre / $4 glass
Lighter and sweeter than the Traditional cider but still very dry. Merridale’s house cider is available at the cidery and on tap in Vancouver Island’s finest pubs and restaurants. Silver Medal Winner at 2004 Northwest Cider Competition.

Merri Berri   $15 litre / $9 half litre / $4 glass
A refreshing blend of apple cider and the unfermented juices of a blend of BC berries and fruits. Merri Berri is popular among those who enjoy spritzers or lighter alcoholic beverages.

Cyser   $18 litre / $11 half litre / $5 glass
Sweet and rich, Cyser is a traditional blend of pure vintage cider apples and unfermented wildflower honey. Pairs well with exotic spicy foods; an excellent aperitif or dessert drink. Winner of Silver Medal at the North American Brewers Association and Commendation at the Northwest Cider Competition.

Winter Apple   $22 bottle / $8 glass
A fresh and velvety sipping drink with an aroma of baked apples and buttery brown sugar. Serve straight in the tradition of port and pair with cheddar or blue cheese, melons, strawberries, fruit desserts and dark chocolate!

Our Brandies

The most recent addition at Merridale Ciderworks was the brandy distillery in the fall of 2007. After a year of patient fermenting, distilling and aging, Merridale Artisan Distillery is proud to release our new products. Using the 200 litre hand-made copper still from Germany we have taken our unique cider apples and Cowichan Valley wild blackberries, fermented them without any chemicals and distilled them to concentrate the aromas and separate all the impurities.

Pomme Oh! 19.5%   $8 glass (2 ounces)
A fortified apple cider made in the tradition of the finest pommeaux from Normandy. Fresh picked French cider apples are pressed into juice then the Pomme Oh is slowly aged and matured in French oak barrels for more than a year. A delicate balance of apple and brandy with a soft, slightly sweet finish. Pairs wonderfully with soft cheeses.

Mure Oh! 19.5%   $8 glass (2 ounces)
The Mure Oh! is made using a similar process as the Pomme Oh! only fermented in stainless steel vats to preserve the delicate fruit aroma of the blackberries. There are aromas of strong blackberry on the nose with the bitter sweet finish. Great with apple pie or on its own as a dessert.

Apple Oh de Vie 40%   $8 glass (1 ounce)
Made in European tradition our cider apples are fermented without any chemicals three times to concentrate the aromas and separate all of the impurities. Distinct apple and cider aroma with a slight floral undertone of spring blossoms. It is a wonderful digestif.

Blackberry Oh de Vie 40%   $8 glass (1 ounce)
Made from fermented Cowichan Valley blackberries which is then distilled. To add to the aroma unfermented blackberry juice is added to the rough brandy for the final distillation. It has a strong berry aroma with a hint of anise. It is also great as a digestif.

Our Vancouver Island Wines

Our wine collection provides you with a sample of wines from Vancouver Island, including Cowichan Valley, Fraser Valley, and the Okanagan. Our premium wines are small-batch wines from vintners who create them with the same passion as we do our cider. You will find wines not available in BC liquor stores or on most wine lists. Some of these premium Vancouver Island wines have been sold out since release and we have collected them for you to enjoy here.

Vancouver Island White Wines

Blue Grouse — Cowichan Valley Bacchus   $30 bottle / $21 half litre / $8 glass
Named after the Roman god of wine, this refreshing white grape variety has aromas of ripe nectarines, melon, and peaches. This wine pairs well with chicken and pork.

 Domaine de Chaberton — Langley      Cuvee Blanc   $22/Litre $15 half litre/ $6 Glass
Crisp citrus notes are joined by a touch of vanilla, with a clean, smooth finish. A perfect match with grilled chicken, fish, light creamy pastas or on its own!

 Alderlea — Cowichan Valley       Pinot Gris  $33
A partially barrel-fermented, full-bodied peach-coloured wine, showing aromas of peach, apricot and vanilla with a mouthfeel that transcends the crisp balance flavour of pink grapefruit and tangerine with very subtle oak.

Averill Creek – Duncan Gewurztraminer   $31 bottle
Pale lemon in colour with green overtones. Lively and fresh with the aromas of lychee, tropical fruit, and a hint of tangy citrus. Bright on the palate with a strong fruity entry and a complex finish with clean acids and lingering tropical fruit flavours.

Averill Creek – Duncan   Somenorose   $30 bottle
100% Pinot Noir left to cold macerate before being pressed off to make the rose. Immediately eye-catching vibrant pink colour. The nose leaps out of the glass with powerful candied strawberry aromas. Surprisingly dry on the palate with a soft, fruity middle and a crisp Provence finish.

Saltspring – Saltspring Island Aromata   $30 bottle
This wine is a superb coastal blend of aromatic whites with subtle hints of vanilla which soften the palate. It is well suited to light west coast foods, such as seafood and Cowichan Bay duck and chicken.

 Venturi Schulze — Cowichan Valley        Millefiori   $31
The 2004 is one of our favourite vintages of Millefiori (a thousand flowers). The tropical fruit/flower aromatics jump out of the glass. It was again cold-fermented and cold-bottled to retain a fresh hint of spritz. This vintage was composed of Siegerrebe and Ortega. It complements fish, poultry and lighter meats, fruity sauces or those with hints of spice.

Zannatta — Cowichan Valley Damasco   $26
A subtle blend of four varieties and a unique vinification give Damasco its fruity bouquet and rich ‘mouthfeel’ with a slight effervescence. Light and fresh, it makes a perfect appetizer or sipping wine, but is also very suited to light west coast foods, scallops, oysters and fresh crab.

Okanagan Whites

 Blue Mountain — Cowichan Valley   Chardonnay   $36 bottle
Hand picked, 100% Chardonnay varietal, this wine is full bodied and rich in fruit flavour. It has subtle hints of vanilla which soften the palate. Great accompaniment to salmon, turkey and pork.

Sparkling Wines and Dessert Drinks

Alderlea Vineyards — Cowichan Valley Heritage Hearth   $8 glass
A rich and dark Port style wine. Pairs well with Dark Chocolate and Strong Cheeses.

Tugwell Creek Meadery — Sooke Wassail Gold   $8 glass
Ripe Honey flavours blend with smooth oak overtones. Pair with your favourite dessert, fruit, or cheese.

Marley Farms — Saanich Peninsula Blackberry Gold   $8 glass
Late Harvest wine with a Blackberry nose and a roch palette of smooth berry and plum. Pair with mild cheeses and your favourite dessert.

Venturi Schulze — Cowichan Valley Brut Naturel 2006 — Champagne Style   $33.25 375mL bottle
A delicious dry sparkling with gentle, but persistant bubbles and a smooth texture. This Cuvee was composed from Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, anda touch of Kerner. Delicious!
13.8% alcohol

Reds from Vancouver Island Wineries 

Southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands comprise the warmest growing region in Canada. The terrior is ideal to grow some of the world’s best cool-climate grapes, and yields elegant, aromatic wines reminiscent of northern Europe. No two vineyards are alike; each has its own special favorites, as popular as Chardonnay or as rare as Agria.

  Alderlea — Cowichan Valley Clarinet   $52 bottle
Dark, ripe and full-bodied, concentrated aromas of sweet blackberries and a hint of coffee followed by full fruit flavours and a touch of black pepper to finish.

Beaufort Vineyard — Comox Valley Chimera   $40 bottle
This Chimera is our winemaker’s choice of Okanagan grown Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. It has a subtle smoky aroma, with distinct Merlot fruitness, making this wine a natural to be served with grilled meats and hearty pastas.

  Blue Grouse — Cowichan Valley    Pinot Noir   $42
Sensitive to climate and soil, the Pinot Noir thrives on warmth, but not intense heat. An exemplary Pinot Noir, elegant and velvety with a distinctive bouquet reminiscent of black cherry and spice. Medium in colour and body, and soft tannins.

 Garry Oaks — Salt Spring Island Zeta   $40
Zeta is the first release of the wine made from estate-grown Zweigelt grapes. Garry Oaks is one of the few wineries in British Columbia to grow this Austrian varietal. Aged for a year in French oak, Zeta is a deeply coloured, medium-bodied, fruit-forward red wine with black cherry, floral and spice flavours and a long finish with sweet vanilla notes.

Okanagan Reds

St. Hubertus — Okanagan  Northern Summer   $24/bottle $19.25/ half litre $7/glass
A full bodied dry red with a fruity nose, flavourful palate and mellow tannins. A wine that can be enjoyed with pasta, ribs and BBQ.

Blue Mountain — Okanagan Falls Pinot Noir   $44 bottle
Sensitive to climate and soil, the Pinot Noir thrives on warmth, but not intense heat. An exemplary Pinot Noir it is elegant and velvety with a distinctive bouquet reminiscent of black cherry and spice. Medium in colour and body with soft tannins.

 Black Hills — Black Sage Bench between Oliver and Osoyoos Nota Bene 2003   $75
Fruity aromas of plums and black cherries under a layer of gamey, earthy tobacco note, mingled with herbal olive notes. Balanced, with a smooth muscular structure and a long plush finish.

Herder — Similkameen Valley Josephine 2003   $65
Herder’s first Meritage blend is named for the artist who paints the winery’s attractive labels. This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Dark in colour, the wine takes a while to open and should be decanted. The aroma shows floral notes, spices and berries.The wine has flavours of currants with an undertone of licorice and very subtle oak.

Laughing Stock — Okanagan Portfolio 2003   $60
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Cherry Jam, Spicy, Cardamom nose with earthy tobacco leaf and black olive aromas.

Kettle Valley — Naramata Old Main Red   $60 bottle
A classic blend of the five bordeaux varieties, this wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc with a small amount of Malbec and Petit Verdot. Dark and inky, the wine is superbly concentrated with aromas of black cherry, currant, cedar and spice.

 Kettle Valley — Okanagan Rock Oven Red   $60
This wine is a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet. Big black cherry and spicy leather dominate this wine with rich mouthfeel and firm tannins. Very limited.

Kettle Valley — Okanagan Syrah 2004   $60
A blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Aged in French Oak for 21 months, very concentrated flavors. Has a beautiful smell of cherries with a hint of tobacco. Pairs well with strong flavoured, rich meats.