Merridale Ciderworks

Generation after generation of cider makers in Northern France have used distinctive varieties of cider apples to craft world- renowned brandy called Calvados. Now Merridale, as Canada’s largest producer of craft cider from English and French cider apples, is carrying on that tradition. While touring Normandy and South West England, we sampled some of the world’s finest cider brandies made from unique varieties of cider apples. Many of those varieties can be found in our Cowichan Valley orchard, so we decided during that trip to take on the challenge of making North America’s best Calvados-style brandy. After years of study and research we embarked on our newest passion, distilling.

Our Brandihouse is a unique arts and craft style building carefully designed to showcase the process and the products. Tours of the Brandihouse allow groups of visitors to observe the craft of distilling firsthand, and provide a unique opportunity to taste the raw material directly from the still and barrels, followed by a tasting of finished products at our granite tasting bar. Pre-booking is required.