Animals

Our youngest daughter will begin her veterinary studies next year—a dream she’s had for as long as we can remember. Because of her passion for animals, our farm has, in many ways, become a little shelter. Over the years, she’s rescued doves, pigeons, baby chickens, ducklings, kittens, and even the occasional insect! She also has a curious habit of collecting animal bones she finds around the farm, and somehow, she can identify them in the blink of an eye. And as our farm continue to grow, we’re planning to extend our animal family even further in the future.

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Chickens

We have a small flock of seven chickens: five regular hens, two friendly Silkies, and one Araucana known for laying beautiful blue eggs. While we primarily raise our chickens for their fresh eggs, they also play an important role in maintaining the health of our land. They help control insects, enrich the soil with their manure, and naturally till the earth as they scratch and forage.  Unfortunately, we discovered that they also have a taste for our grapes, so we only let them roam freely during certain times of the year.  During your visit or stay, you're welcome to help feed the chickens and take part in their daily care.  We have a funny habit of naming them after food dishes… though, of course, we don’t eat them!  (General Tao, Teriyaki, Nugget, Confit, Magret, etc...)

Ducks

We have a small flock of three ducks; one white male and two females, who were originally introduced to help control snails. Like our chickens, they play an important role on the farm, managing insects, fertilizing the soil, and gently tilling as they forage. Their cheerful squeaks and waddling presence add a special charm to the property.  They also lay eggs sporadically in spring and summer, which are rich in protein, vitamins A and B12, and omega-3s—you might be lucky enough to taste them during your visit. Since they love snacking on our grapes, we only let them roam freely when the vines are safe.  Otherwise, they explore the property, splash in their water tubs, and hunt for bugs. During your stay, you’re welcome to help feed them and enjoy their playful antics.

Cats

We share the farm with four cats; two indoors, Gremlin and Mogwai, and two outdoors. When we first arrived, a pregnant stray appeared, and we fed her; she soon gave birth to five kittens. We kept the two males, who became Gremlin and Mogwai, and found homes for the others.  Over time, other feline friends joined us. Toutitte, shy and independent, often sleeps atop the chicken coops as if keeping watch. More recently, a battered stray we named Scars arrived and quickly made himself at home. Now he’s always nearby, loves attention, and meows cheerfully to be noticed.

Garden

When we bought the farm, there were already many fruit trees, though most were in desperate need of love and care. Little by little, we’ve been nurturing them back to health, and they’re now starting to grow stronger and produce more fruit. We’ve also planted new trees and hope to add even more as our resources allow. We’re not agronomists, just passionate learners, and this farm has been our classroom from day one. Each season brings new challenges and discoveries, and in many ways, we feel we’re growing right alongside our trees.

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​Fruits

• Grapes

• Strawberries

• Lemons

• Limes

• Oranges

• Avocados

• Almonds

• Loquats

• Mulberries

• Pineaple (we are trying...)

• Bananas

• Figs

• Peaches

• Persimmons

• Mangos

• Olives

• Pomegranates

• Plums

• Apricots

• Cherries (new)

• Quince (new)

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​Vegetables

We’re planning to start planting vegetables next spring. We’ve tried before, but quickly learned that the summer sun here is extremely intense and water is as precious as gold on the island. To give our plants the best chance to thrive, we realized we’ll need to install sun filters and create some protection from the heat. With these adjustments, we’re excited to see what we’ll be able to grow under these unique conditions.

Herbs

• Parsley

• Rosemary

• Thyme

• Lemon thyme

• Basil

• Marjoram

• Chives

• Oregano

• Lavender

• Laurel

• Minth

• And more...