Merridale Cidery & Distillery

“What a neat little experience. We started with a warm welcome at the cider tasting station. I picked the Apple Pie due to the sweetness I prefer sweet cider. My partner got the Scrumpy cider because he enjoys the higher liquer 11%. The food a very well portioned plate that had enough to fill my belly and not to much that I couldn't finish what I had been served. After our meal we bought a bottle of Black Berry liquer and a 4pack of Apple pie Cider to take home. We walked through the orchard enjoying the little fairy gardens, fish ponds and many signs explaining the process of cider making, history and that this orchard had started from the trees in the Okanagan Which is where I grew up. Lovely staff and lovley spot. Very happy we came here and will have to return when we come back for our home on the sunshine coast.”

“My husband and I went to Merridale for lunch again yesterday. You order your food at the counter, and they bring your food and beverage to the table, but they didn't have us pay until our meal was complete. My lavender lemonade soda was very pleasant. The steak and mushroom pie was perfect! Nicely golden brown pastry, generous tender filling with a lovely gravy. My accompaniment was vegetable minestrone which was surprisingly flavourful. My husband started with a pot of tea, which was delivered properly with the teabag already steeping in the pot. He reports that the pulled pork bun was very good and satisfying. (Don't ask me why he chose potato chips as his side.) The staff was lovely. I already know how much I like their cider, so bought six cans before we left. While choosing, one of the staff asked if we had tried their current seasonal offering, and brought me a sample immediately when i said I had not. We were looked after very well. I have to say that we have never had a bad experience here.”

“Great meal and cider! Service is top notch, and the ciders do satisfy my husband’s crave. Since I’m pregnant and couldn’t do alcohol, I ordered the signature apple juice and it’s omgggg soooo good! Even the apple slice tastes so fruity, having a hint of rose or honey flavor! Don’t forget to order the Margarita pizza, the sauce is amazing as well as the tomatoes. I saw almost every table ordered bruschetta, and the dish looked awesome! I would love to try it and the apply pie for our next visit! We ended up buying more ciders and apple juice, it’s just so fresh! Farm to table! A must go if you are having an island road trip! It’s a cidery and distillery, but also FAMILY FRIENDLY ❤️”

“Came here for the dinner menu. Visiting a cidery is always fun. Had their brandy flight and a chicken pie. Their hard liquor needs a bit more time to perfect - but that's normal for any cidery. Good liquor takes ten years at least. But their cider was great and they had non alcoholic craft pop options as well. Food was a 7/10. Didn't blow us away but it's great homey food to enjoy the night with. Worth visiting!”

“While the service is good and the venue lovely, I was disappointed with the gluten free options. In particular, the bread they use is grocery store sandwich bread. I think Promise brand. They should get bread from "The Art of Slow Food Bakery" - top notch gf sourdough in Victoria ( and support local island) or at least have the baggette ( Schar brand) for their " Bruschetta" that can be bought at the grocery store. While I appreciate that the menu list gf options, I don't feel like I'm getting any special with the breads they are using. Please do better and do a little research ( it's not hard)!”