San Juan Island's agricultural history is still visible in its landscape, dotted with weather-worn barns and farmhouses, fields of hay, cattle, horses and market gardens. This self-guided tour takes you to a variety of the island's farms, tasting rooms and restaurants.
The San Juan Island Farmers' Market is your source for beautiful and bountiful island produce, fine crafts, and delicious prepared foods. You can find the market at the historic Brickworks building, just two blocks from the ferry landing.
At San Juan Vineyard's beautiful 30-acre vineyard, winery, and historic tasting room, you can sip from a line-up of award-winning wines including estate-grown Siegerrebe and Madeleine Angevine. Enjoy the ambiance of the grounds at a barrel tasting or harvest festival.
This historic sea farm is located in the renowned waters of Westcott Bay near Roche Harbor, and grows Pacific oysters utilizing a rack-and-bag system, Manila clams in netted clam beds, and Mediterranean mussels in lantern nets suspended off the extensive dock and floats. You can buy, shuck and enjoy shellfish onsite, although there is no public clam-digging or oyster picking.
Terroir, which is a sense of place reflected through taste, textures, and aromas, is the inspiration for Madrone's wines and ciders. Madrone Cellars focuses on natural winemaking styles, which include spontaneous fermentations, zero filtration, minimal intervention, and much more. Their products contain zero residual sugar. Residual sugar is biologically unstable, and requires chemicals or sterilization to produce a sweet wine that will not re-ferment. Natural wine ferments all the way dry and achieves balance through rest and age. Visit their Wine & Cider Bar in downtown Friday Harbor.
See the largest herd of alpacas in the San Juans on this 70-acre working farm. Alpacas grow one of the world's softest, most luxurious fibers, and are irresistibly cute. Enjoy a self-guided stroll around the grounds or shop the Country Store for fine alpaca clothing and gifts. Call ahead for guided tours.
