Our Farms & Mills
Our farms are located in Salgar, a small town in southwestern Antioquia, 90 kilometers from Medellin. The coffee we grow throughout the valley feeds then into two primary wet mills for depulping, sorting and drying.
One of our original farms, La Grecia is where it all began. The massive view from the mountain ridge evokes a feeling of being on top of the world, and with the upper elevation just below 2000 m, it's not far off. Some of our first environmental conservation efforts began here: we reforested areas surrounding natural water sources and installed anti-erosion structures on slopes vulnerable to rainfall erosion. La Grecia's size (170 hectares) demands a year round team to properly maintain its lots. Many of these workers are widows, affected by Colombia's past conflicts.
Perched high on a hillside overlooking the valley below, El Leon provides commanding views of its sister farm La Colombiana. Farm dogs greet you as you enter the gate and provide welcome company as you climb up through the rows of carefully tended lots. At the top of the farm is a soccer field, which sees spirited community games every Sunday afternoon.
La Colombiana is a small farm poised atop a dramatic hillside overlooking the Tarqui Creek. Our most isolated finca, La Colombiana is surrounded by thick pine groves and steep pastures. We replanted most of the coffee trees in 2018 and are excited to share our first harvests from these lands. This farm is a classic example of the Colombian coffee story we love to share.
La Esmeralda rises above a serene valley just outside of town. One of our largest farms, 11 lots spread across 154 hectares at altitudes between 1200 - 17000 m.a.s.l. This finca was born some years ago through the unification of 7 small family farms, and its history lives on in the unique varieties flourishing on the different lots. These lands are flush with water sources and shaded agroforestry systems that blend with coffee production. The lower section of the farm, home to one of our wet mills, is an alluvial plain where the Barroso river meanders by.
This little farm is tucked away across the valley from La Sebastiana. Coffee grows next to high-Andean forest from 1700- 2150 m.a.s.l. Much of Dolores' 14.5 hectares were replanted to make way for exotic varieties like Caturra, Borbón, Geisha, and others. We selected Dolores to produce our most delicate varieties due to its exceptional soil quality, high altitude, ideal microclimate, and diligent agronomic practices. All of these factors create a magical environment for our finest coffees.
Gualanday is known to be one of the most productive farms in the region thanks to the soil quality and ideal altitude (1600 - 2000 m.a.s.l.). Coffee trees dot the mountainside above Liboriana creek, which runs through the town of Salgar. During Colombia's violent period, the old farmhouse that sat at the base of the farm was destroyed by armed forces in the year 2000. Now rebuilt, Gualanday is a hub of our operations. Coffee flows here through cafeductos originating on the surrounding farms to be processed in Gualanday's wet mill.
La Gabriela blankets the mountainside above fields of banana trees, extending up to an altitude of 2430 m.a.s.l. The farm is directly across from Gualanday, and all of the cherries tumble down to the wet mill via cafeductos. Three water springs are hidden in a large forest reserve that is an important habitat for the local spectacled bear population. La Gabriela is home to a brightly painted hacienda (a typical coffee farmhouse) where our team gathers to celebrate our dedication to coffee.
Virgen 1 and Virgen 2 comprise one of our largest farms, with 55 and 54 hectares respectively between 1540 - 2040 m.a.s.l. Their division was the consequence of a family dispute two generations ago, and the farms have remained separate since. Our reunification of the lands allowed for a greater production of excellent varieties. Caturra, Colombia and Castillo lots are in peak productivity. The farms host several reforestation projects aiming to increase biodiversity. The first stage protected the land's water sources by planting additional vegetation near the springs that acts as a natural filtration system.
Guadalajara is located on the slope above the Peñas Blancas gorge. Coffee lots as high as 2040 m.a.s.l. extend down into the Liboriana creek below. The uppermost swath of land is a forest reserve with a natural spring, and mule rides up to the top reward you with enchanting views.
La Sebastiana is a large farm notable for its beautiful lots of Caturra. We anticipate an excellent production of differentiated coffee from these mature trees for many years to come. One of our highest reaching farms, with altitude between 1630- 2470 m.a.s.l., its forests shelter diverse fauna and flora typical to the region of Southwest Antioquia.
