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| Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm |
In addition to the Pelindaba Lavender Farm, we visited two other specialty ranches on San Juan Island: the Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm, and the San Juan Vineyards. Like Pelindaba, these businesses have found financial success through good marketing, drawing tourists and locals alike to their farms and retail shops. The Krystal Acres Farm is absolutely gorgeous with its white-washed farm buildings, white-board fencing, huge oak trees, and beautiful pastures holding adorable Alpacas. The male and female Alpacas were in separate pastures while the little ones called “Cria” were with their mothers in yet another pasture. We also visited the farm retail shop where beautiful designer sweaters, hats, and other clothing created from alpaca fibers are sold. We learned that Alpacas are native to South America and belong to the Camel family; one adult Alpaca yields 5 to 8 pounds of fiber (about 4 sweaters). We continued around the Island with our rental car and stopped at the San Juan Vineyards. A lovely chapel available for weddings is situated near the vineyards, and the tasting room is located in an old school house built in 1896, which served as a school until 1915. San Juan Vineyards grows Madeleine Angevine and Siegerrebe grapes. These grapes are from the same cool latitudes (47 degrees) as Northern France and Germany. Grapes are also purchased from Yakima, Washington and the Columbia valleys.
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| San Juan Vineyards |
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| Chapel among the Vineyards |
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| Tasting Room - Historic Island School House |
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