Stories From the Farm
3 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Harvest Season at a Craft Cidery
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Harvest season is upon us, and we started juicing on September 20. A bit earlier than usual, but as everyone knows, this summer was a warm one.
1. The bees are the real MVPs
It was an excellent year for the fruit at the farm. The bees were healthy and active which meant a good fertilization of the apple blossoms. A good blossom results in a good fruit set.
We have several hives here at the farm and our bees are an essential part of the operation. We also collect, use, and sell the apple blossom honey from our property.
2. No rain, no problem
We had a relatively normal spring leading into a hot summer, but the lack of rain was not as much of an issue as many may think. In fact, we have found that the addition of water to ripening fruit...
Everything You Need to Know About the Cider Harvest Festival
Sunday, September 2, 2018
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CIDER HARVEST FESTIVAL
While technically it’s still summer, there’s been a crispness in the air lately that reminds us fall is just around the corner. And with fall comes many wonderful things, including harvest season!
On Sunday, September 30, join us for the second annual Cider Harvest Festival here at our farm and orchard in Cobble Hill. We’ll be bringing together fifteen of BC’s top craft cideries to celebrate the art of craft cider. Everyone who attends will be able to sample lots of different products from each cidery, meet the makers, and generally learn about craft cider from those who live and breathe it every day. We will also have an pop-up store where you can purchase full-sized bottles of cider and spirits from all the...
12 Hours in Cowichan: The Ultimate Day Trip
Sunday, September 2, 2018
12 HOURS IN COWICHAN: THE PERFECT DAY TRIP
Life is busy, and we know that taking time for fun and adventure can often take a backseat. Well, we’re here to help. If you need a break but don’t have a week or even a weekend, consider taking a day trip to Cowichan. It’s less than an hour from Victoria and Nanaimo, and we might be a little bit biased, but we think it’s amazing. One of the best parts: It makes a perfect day trip. Here’s how to relax, explore, and enjoy 12 hours in the beautiful Cowichan Valley.
9:00 am: Shawnigan House Coffee Shop and Oma’s Bakery Location (Picture Credit Instagram @livinghollisstyle)
If you are heading North from Victoria or South from Nanaimo, start your journey around 8:00 am to arrive at the Shawnigan House Coffee Shop and Oma’s...
Coming Soon: Merridale at Dockside Green
Thursday, August 9, 2018
We love our farm in Cobble Hill, and it will always be our primary location for producing cider and spirits and hosting events. That said, after several years of planning we are really excited to be branching out with a new 12,000 square foot facility in the trendy Dockside Green area of Victoria. The concept is to build on the successful brewing and distilling techniques that we’ve become renowned for and bring Merridale at the Farm to Merridale in the City.
With a focus on sustainability, Merridale at Dockside will feature an open layout, where people can not only enjoy the products, but also see and smell the process too. Our customers will have the opportunity to learn about the brewing and distilling process when they visit – tours and hands on experiences will be woven...
Top 5 Hidden Gems of Summer at Merridale
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
1) Find the Fairies, Gnomes, Elves and Hobgoblins in the Orchard
Take a stroll through our orchard and keep your eyes peeled for mystical creatures. One little-known fact about the Merridale orchard is that it’s home to fairies, gnomes, elves and hobgoblins. They’re clever, mischievous, a little bit shy, and lightning fast, so you’ll have to really focus if you want to spot one.
We’re told they like to hang out near the bases of the apple trees. While you may not see the creatures themselves, you’ll almost certainly find evidence of their existence throughout the orchard like colourful mushroom caps and round portal doors…seeing is believing! Pick up (or print off) an Orchard Adventure Map to help you log your findings.
2) Retreat overnight for a glamping...
Red Wagon Picnics
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
First of all, welcome to the Merridale blog! We’ve been talking about doing this for a while now, because Merridale has so many wonderful stories and we really want to share them with you. So… stay tuned, we’re planning to share a new blog post every two weeks! If there’s something you’re dying to hear about, please leave us a comment on any of our social media channels (we’re on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) or write us an email. Better yet - tell us in person the next time you visit Merridale!
RED WAGON PICNICS AT MERRIDALE
Do you remember the classic red wagons from days gone by? Do you remember when summers were long, picnics were plentiful, and family gatherings were often? Well, now’s your chance to relive those experiences with a Red Wagon Picnic at Merridale...