Compensation: $26 - $28/hour equivalent ($20 base plus shared tip pool)
Experience: Ideal backgrounds include tasting rooms, wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, tourism attractions, visitor centres, retail sales, hotels, resorts, and customer-facing hospitality roles.
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 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, the weird little moments guests remember long after they leave.
This is a role for someone who enjoys people. Someone who can read a room, shift gears easily, and make strangers feel instantly comfortable. No two days look exactly the same here, and that’s part of the fun.
The Role
Think of it as “host meets storyteller meets craft hospitality.”
You'll pour tastings, answer questions, and naturally engage people in conversation about Merridale and what we make here on the farm.
Some moments are fast-paced and high-energy. Other moments are slower and more conversational, where your ability to connect with guests becomes the entire experience.
You don’t need to be a performer, but you do need to enjoy being in front of people and bringing warmth, humour, and personality into the room.
Perks (The Good Stuff)
- Extended medical & dental (50% coverage)
- Monthly growler (yes, it’s still coveted)
- 50% off food
- Team hangouts and fun outings
- Casual dress + free parking
- A genuinely solid team that likes working together
What You’ll Actually Do
- Create a Warm Guest Experience
- Welcome guests as they arrive and help set the tone for their visit
- Answer questions about Merridale, our drinks, and the farm
- Help guests discover products they'll love, guiding tasting, retail, and gift purchases in a way that feels natural and genuine rather than sales-driven.
- Pour cider, spirits, and tasting flights with confidence and care
- Deliver products to the tables in the Eatery
Who You Are
- Friendly, confident, and naturally engaging
- Comfortable talking to groups and starting conversations with strangers
- A team player who jumps in where needed
- Believes that how things are made matters, and values craftsmanship, community, and warm hospitality as much as the product itself.
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 through the United Nations and operate as a for-profit social enterprise. Our team is a huge part of what makes this place special, and we’re looking for someone who wants to help create memorable experiences for every guest who walks through the door.
How to Apply
Send us your resume along with a quick note telling us why this kind of role feels like a fit for you. We’d love to hear about experiences where you’ve connected with people, created atmosphere, or helped make a place feel memorable.
Pay: $26.00-$28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Store discount
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
