Meet The Animals

Meet the unique animals of Castello di Amorosa. These animals can be found both around the Castle property and in their pen, located in front of the tasting room.

Two Boer goats, one brown-headed, one brown-bodied, stand outside. Chickens rest on a stone wall.
Two Boer goats, one brown-headed, one brown-bodied, stand outside. Chickens rest on a stone wall.

THE HERD

Giacomo II, Macchiato & Friends


Legend has it, the Giacomos are among the most photographed goats in the world, and Giacomo II carries on that legacy with effortless charm. A true icon in his own right, he delights guests daily with his friendly personality and undeniable star power.


These days, Giacomo II enjoys life on the estate alongside his lively crew. You'll find him with his sheep companions, Titus, Mama, and Didi, as well as the newest addition to the family, Macchiato, a Boer goat just like Giacomo. With floppy ears almost too big for his body, Macchiato is already proving he has what it takes to follow in those famous hoofprints.


It's hard to resist capturing a moment with these friendly faces, so go ahead, join the fun and feed the fame! #CastellodiAmorosaGOAT


Goat & Sheep Facts

  • Goats and Sheep remember faces, they can even remember other sheep and humans for years, often forming strong social bonds.
  • They can see nearly all the way around with out turning, thanks to rectangular pupils and eyes positioned on the sides of their heads.
  • As social animals, they are often used to keep racehorses company due to their calming presence.
  • They don't have upper front teeth. Instead, they have a tough dental pad so while they love snacks, fingers are not on the menu.


Close-up of an emu with dark feathers and an inquisitive expression, set on a green lawn with trees and a few goats in the background.

EMUS

Our Emu Pair


These amazing soft-feathered birds are flightless but they more than make up for it in personality. Emus are members of the ratite family and are among the largest birds in the world. This makes them unexpected livestock guardians thanks to their height, strength, and watchful presence.


While this pair has mellowed over the years, they're still full of character. With a typical lifespan of 30-35 years in captivity, these two emus have plenty of time for more antics.


Emu Facts

  • Emu’s lay large emerald-green eggs in expansive ground nests.
  • The only bird with calf muscles.
  • They are able to run about 30 miles per hour.
  • Emu’s drink an impressive amount of water, anywhere from 2.5 to 5 gallons of water daily.
  • They weigh anywhere from 66 to 100 pounds.
  • Predators of the Emu include dingoes and wedge-tailed eagles.


Large white dog rests with a wine glass on the ground outdoors, sunny setting.

DOGS

Dogs


Man’s Best Friend! Dogs are allowed to tour the Castello with their owner so you never know what dogs you might see. Their long association with humas dates back centuries. In medieval Europe, dogs were often categorized by their work, hunting hounds priced by nobility, herding and guarding dogs essential to rural life, and smaller companion dogs kept in noble households.


Dog Facts

  • A dog’s nose print is unique, much like a person’s fingerprint.
  • Dog’s have three eyelids.
  • There are over 75 million pet dogs in the U.S.—more than in any other country.
  • All dogs dream but puppies and senior dogs dream more frequently than adult dogs.

Explore Our Dog Page Here!


Peacock with long train of feathers perches on a stone structure against a cloudy sky.

PEACOCK

The Wandering Peacocks


Though a rare sighting these days, these magnificent birds could be found perched on the turrets and meandering through the vineyard rows. They now tend to keep to the lower grounds of the estate, enjoying a quieter life, though they will occasionally wander to neighboring properties on their own regal excursions.


What exactly makes these long-lived birds so bright and vibrant? It's actually microscopic “crystal like structures” that reflect different wavelengths of light depending on how they’re spaced, resulting in bright fluorescent colors.


These birds are truly Castello royalty.


Peacock Facts

  • A family of peafowl is called a “bevy”.
  • Male peachicks don’t start growing their showy trains until about age three.
  • Considered a major delicacy in Medieval times


Geese near a stone castle on a grassy lawn with a brick pathway.

GEESE

Seasonal Geese

Depending on the season, you can catch a few different packs of Geese. Every Spring a group of the same Geese seem to return. In fact this has happened the last 8 years.


Geese Facts

  • Goose is the term for female geese, male geese are called ganders. A group of geese on land or in water are a gaggle, while in the air they are called a skein.
  • Geese were probably the first type of poultry domesticated by humans, over 3000 years ago in Egypt.
  • Young often remain with their parents for their entire first year, especially in the larger subspecies.
  • Geese can live up to 20 years depending on species.