Events at Merridale: Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival

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Saturday, September 14th, 2013
12:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Art in the Distillery � noon and 2:00, Saturday and Sunday

Join Rick Pipes and Laurent Lafluent to learn the art of tasting spirits. Yes, there is an art to tasting spirits! They will teach you how to taste the essence of our spirits and how they are made right here in our own distillery. Develop a distinguishing palate for spirits, tasting Cowichan Brandy, Stair�s Brandy, Malt Whiskey, Vodka and more. Tours and tastings will be given at noon and 2:00 on Saturday. Reservations for the distillery tour are required, but there is no charge for this event. Please call us at 250-743-4293 to reserve your spot for the tour.


Art in the Cellar � throughout the day Saturday and Sunday

Meander through our fermentation and bottling room to learn the art of cidermaking on our self-guided cellar tour. Gather your questions along the way, and then join us at the ciderbar where our knowledgeable staff will provide you with answers and tastings of our traditional cider line-up and fortified nectars. There is no charge for our self-guided tours. Cider tastings are $5 per person with all proceeds donated to a local charity.


Art of the Cocktail � noon until 4:00 Saturday only

Journey into the art of the cocktail with Janice Mansfield. Janice has developed some tantalizing bitters and syrups which she will be mixing with our lineup of products to create some most delicious mini-cocktails for you to taste. Spark your own inner mixologist and learn how to impress your friends at home. Tasting fee of $5 waived with purchase of spirits.


Art in the Orchard � 11 until 4:00 Saturday and Sunday

Throughout this weekend we will be joined by local artists sharing their craft in the merridale orchard:

Bernadette McCormack � Bold, colourful, and clean are the words Bernadette uses to describe her instantly recognizable paintings, drawing inspiration from her natural surroundings. �I paint to communicate positive messages to the world. We live in a time where there is a lot of negative energy all around us, and fear can take up a lot of our time if we let it. My paintings are created to remind people of the beauty that is within and around us.�

Jason Fong � One of a kind driftwood carvings of all things Westcoast, and some things not. A Vancouver Island lifer, currently residing in the Cowichan Valley, Jason draws inspiration from the beautiful forests, coastal beaches, and diverse wildlife that abounds in our part of the world. All carvings done on driftwood collected on the westcoast beaches of British Columbia. Hand carved and hand painted with lots of Canadian love.

Tammie Hunter � Tammie�s landscape and abstract paintings have earned her critical acclaim and admiration up and down the island, and beyond. With her unique, self-taught style, and penchant for creating art in the great outdoors, or �plein air�, Tammie is sure to feel right in her element spending the weekend in our orchard.

Will Daten� - Will Daten� has worked in the photography business for 30 years. He started his career as an assistant to 3 top fashion photographers in New York City. In recent years he has focused on Stock Photography for world wide distribution, as well as conceptual photography. As a relative newcomer to the region, we are excited to see what work his new surroundings will inspire.