Don Julio Barreda and his Accoya Herd are synonymous with today’s alpaca genetics. Barreda (b1919-2006) ran what is probably the most successful herd of Alpacas in Peru – if not the world. He did more than any other single person to improve the modern alpaca and his alpacas are sought even today. Most of the prize-winning alpacas around the world are descended from animals that he exported from his ranch, Accoyo, at 15,000 feet above sea level in the Altiplano. He began selective breeding, year after year and his alpacas were first exported from Peru and Accoyo in 1992. (Previously in the late 80s, some poor quality Chilean alpacas had been exported to the USA). Since then these animals have made their mark all over the world – although Accoyo alpacas are still rare.

At West Wight Alpacas, we are lucky to have a number of full Accoyo Alpacas and many part Accoyos in our Suri herd.