Guest Experience & Tasting Room Host

Full-Time & Part-Time Opportunities | Merridale Cidery & Distillery | Cowichan Valley, BC

Pay: $26–$28 per hour equivalent ($20 base wage plus shared tips)

Retired? Looking for Your Next Adventure?

Have you retired from one career but discovered you’re not quite ready to put your people skills on the shelf? Maybe you miss the interaction, the camaraderie, or simply having somewhere interesting to be and people to connect with.

This could be your next great chapter.

We’ve found that people with life experience, confidence, curiosity, and a genuine interest in others can be wonderful in this role. You might have spent years in business, education, sales, tourism, management, or an entirely different field. You may never have worked in a tasting room, and that’s perfectly fine.

If you enjoy meeting people, can comfortably manage several guests or conversations at once, and like the idea of sharing stories in a beautiful farm setting, we can teach you the rest.

Think of it as a new career with a different view, great people around you, and plenty of stories to tell.

And of course, you don’t need to be retired to apply. We welcome people at every stage of their working life who are looking for an interesting, people-focused role.

Not Your Average Hospitality Job

At Merridale, this role sits somewhere between host, storyteller, and experience guide.

You’re the person who welcomes guests into the energy of the farm. Sometimes that means greeting people at the door with warmth and confidence. Sometimes it means pouring cider tastings, helping guests discover products they’ll love, or delivering products to the table.

And sometimes it means gathering a small crowd around you and sharing the stories that make Merridale what it is - the orchard, the distillery, the characters, the history, and the wonderfully unexpected moments guests remember long after they leave.

The most important thing? You know how to connect with people. You can make strangers feel comfortable, read a room, and manage several guests or groups at the same time without losing that personal touch.

No two days look exactly the same here, and that’s part of the fun.

The Role: Host Meets Storyteller Meets Experience Guide

You’ll help guests discover Merridale, from their first welcome to their last tasting. You’ll pour cider and spirits,



lead tours around the property and through the distillery, answer questions, and share the stories behind what we make and why we make it.

You don’t need to be a performer or a cider expert when you arrive. You do need to enjoy being around people, feel comfortable starting conversations, and know how to keep things moving while making each guest feel seen.

We’ll teach you about our products, our history, and our approach to making cider and spirits. What matters most is your ability to connect, communicate, and create an experience people want to share.

What You’ll Actually Do

- Welcome guests: Set the tone for their visit, help them feel at home, and introduce them to the experiences available around the farm.
- Tell our stories: Share the history of Merridale, our orchard, our distillery, our people, and the thinking behind what we make.
- Pour tastings: Present cider, spirits, and tasting flights with confidence, care, and an understanding of responsible alcohol service.
- Lead tours: Show guests around the property and distillery, bringing our craft and history to life.
- Connect with multiple guests: Engage individuals and groups, balance competing needs, and keep the experience flowing without making anyone feel overlooked.
- Help guests discover products: Make thoughtful recommendations and help people find products they’ll enjoy, whether they’re shopping in our farm store or looking for Merridale products at a retailer closer to home.
- Support the team: Work closely with servers, bartenders, and the rest of the team to ensure guests receive a seamless experience.
- Bring the farm to life: Share information about our food, drinks, events, and other experiences that make a visit to Merridale more than just a stop along the way.

Who You Are

We’re more interested in your ability to connect with people than in whether you’ve worked in a tasting room before.

You’ll likely thrive in this role if you are:

- Naturally friendly, engaging, and comfortable talking to strangers.
- Good at managing several conversations, guests,



or groups at the same time.
- Confident speaking to small groups and able to adjust your approach to different personalities.
- Observant enough to read a room and recognize when someone needs help, information, or a little space.
- Comfortable moving between different tasks and priorities throughout the day.
- Curious about food, drink, craftsmanship, agriculture, tourism, or the stories behind the things people enjoy.
- A team player who communicates well and jumps in wherever needed.
- Someone who brings warmth, humour, and personality to an interaction.
- Interested in helping guests discover products and experiences without making the interaction feel like a sales pitch.

The Good Stuff: Perks & Advantages

- Extended medical and dental benefits (50% coverage).
- A monthly Merridale growler — yes, it’s still coveted!
- 50% off food.
- Casual dress and free parking.
- A shared tip pool across Front of House and Back of House.
- A supportive team that values collaboration and enjoys working together.
- The opportunity to learn about cider, spirits, local food, and the craft behind them.
- A varied role in a unique farm-based hospitality and tourism environment.

About Merridale

Merridale is a cidery, distillery, and eatery set on a working farm in the Cowichan Valley. For nearly 40 years, this land has been a gathering place where people come together to relax, celebrate, and share something crafted with care.

We’re Biosphere-certified and operate as a for-profit social enterprise. We care about our connection to the land, our community, and the people who make Merridale what it is.

Our team is a huge part of the experience. We want guests to feel welcome, discover something new, and leave with a story of their own to tell.

How to Apply

Send us your resume along with a short note telling us why this kind of role appeals to you.

Tell us about a time you connected with people, made someone feel welcome, handled a busy environment, or helped make an experience memorable. It doesn’t have to be a tasting-room story. We’re interested in the person behind the resume.

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Store discount

Work Location: In person

📌 Guest Experience & Tasting Room Host (Mill Bay)
🏢 Merridale Cidery u0026 Distillery
📍 Mill Bay