About 20 minutes outside Asheville, in the rolling hills of Leicester, Durrant Farms offers one of the most delightful (and downright heartwarming) experiences in North Carolina … brunch with alpacas. Yes, it’s a thing. And yes, it’s as enchanting as it sounds.
Owned by the warm and welcoming husband-and-wife duo Whitney and Tom Durrant, this charming farm is part working alpaca haven, part bed-and-breakfast, part “did I just fall into a storybook?” wonder. Guests are invited to slow down and sip coffee and pastries beneath a covered picnic area in the pasture, surrounded by panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and an elite squad of four-legged fluff-balls, fondly referred to as “The Boys.”
I was fortunate to experience this little slice of Appalachian heaven, and the memories are indelible. The adventure began as we wound down a gravel drive, crossing paths with Tom Durrant himself, who gave us a friendly wave from his ATV and pointed us toward the pavilion. That’s where we met Whitney and Grace (the farm’s trusted Hospitality Manager), who welcomed us warmly and led us into the pasture, where the real hosts were already waiting.
Ralph the alpaca (my personal favorite and instant emotional support animal) and Heartbreaker the llama were first to greet us, casually strolling over like old friends.
With a promise to keep the gate firmly latched behind us (because no one wants an unexpected escape attempt), we made our way to the open-air brunch table, thoughtfully dressed with linens and cheerful faux flowers (Whitney wisely discovered that real ones are simply too irresistible for curious alpacas).
Before we go any further, let’s meet the crew, shall we? There are four alpacas: Ralph (my personal favorite and a total heartthrob), Scully (the baby of the group who will do just about anything for a treat), Hotline (the wise elder who will peer directly into your soul), and Micah (a little shy at first, but a total sweetheart once he warms up).
They’re joined by two equally charismatic llamas: Brinkley (skittish but endearing) and Heartbreaker (who lived up to his name by shamelessly trying to con me out of my scone, but more on that in a moment). Together, they strut around like they own the place. And honestly, they kind of do.
“The llamas came separately, adopted from Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend, NC,” Whitney shares. “Heartbreaker now runs the show while Brinkley is always on alert, keeping watch for any potential threats to the herd.”
While you dig into breakfast, the alpacas and llamas get their own treats, making them extra sociable. They wander over for snacks, selfies, and the occasional nuzzle. “They’ve all become the unofficial welcoming committee of the farm,” Whitney says. “Every one of them has their own personality, and watching guests connect with them has been one of the most meaningful parts of building this place.”
But that’s not to say you don’t have to keep an eye on your pastries. Heartbreaker, in particular, made a valiant attempt to charm me into sharing my scone, but I stuck to doling out approved alpaca treats.
The brunch menu, by the way, is no afterthought. ButterPunk — an Asheville bakery in the River Arts District led by the “Queen of Biscuits,” Beth Kellerhals — serves up impossibly delicious baked goods that almost steal the show. Almost. It’s hard to compete with Ralph. P.S. Scroll down to see a picture of him as a baby. How can you resist that face?
“The alpaca adventures actually all started because of Ralph,” Whitney says. “We met a sweet woman at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair who showed us a photo of a baby alpaca she’d just had. His face was shaped like a heart, and we immediately started calling him Loverboy. That baby was Ralph. A few months later, we brought him home along with his three “brothers”: Scully, Hotline, and Micah.”
Even as a light rain rolled in, none of us seemed to mind. With the Blue Ridge Mountains serving as a dramatic, cloud-kissed backdrop, it was simply magical.
Whitney and Tom, who welcomed their first child in 2024, have poured their hearts into creating a place where nature meets hospitality. In addition to brunch, they offer happy hour gatherings, llama treks, and host picturesque weddings by the pond. There’s even a short walking trail on the property that offers a lovely scenic view of the farm if you want to stretch your legs before or after your alpaca rendezvous.
Visitors can stay overnight at their on-site bed and breakfast (available on Airbnb and not to be confused with their guest house about 15 minutes away).
And how did it all begin, you might ask? “Durrant Farms really started as a dream Tom and I had for a life closer to the land,” says Whitney. “We wanted to raise our family with animals and fresh air, homegrown food, and give people a space to slow down — somewhere they could celebrate with loved ones and connect with the land and the animals in a beautiful way.”
Boy, did they ever.
“What began as a small farmstay with alpaca experiences gradually grew,” Whitney continues. “People started asking if they could bring larger groups, host bachelorette parties, even plan full weddings. We couldn’t quite do that at our first property, so in September 2024, we packed up our herd, our newborn baby, and our lives, and moved about 15 minutes closer to Asheville. That’s when Durrant Farms Estate was born — a wedding venue and sanctuary space where people can celebrate, reconnect, and breathe a little easier. We still offer brunch with alpacas and peaceful farmstays, but now we also get to welcome larger groups for events of all kinds, from retreats to full weekend weddings.”
Before leaving, guests can also browse the sweet little farm shop inside the pavilion, stocked with goodies either inspired by The Boys or made from their fleece, such as beanies, slippers, skeins of yarn, felted dryer balls, coasters, and more — souvenirs that will bring a little piece of Durrant Farms’s charm home with you.
We came. We saw. We mingled with alpacas. We got the t-shirt. (And some alpaca fleece socks, and some felted fleece coasters)
Admittedly, we were reluctant to leave. As I made my way back down the gravel path, Ralph and I exchanged one last wistful glance. I think we both knew the magic of that rainy morning would be hard to top.
Come for the biscuits, stay for the alpacas, and don’t be surprised if you leave with alpaca hair on your shirt, and a full heart.
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