Gustavo Alfaro (Hacienda Santa Rosa)

Description

juicy clementine, caramel, long sweet aftertaste. exceptionally clean.

Producer

Gustavo Alfaro

Farm

Hacienda Santa Rosa

Region

Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Elevation

1800 meters

Variety

Mundo Nuevo

Process

Fully Wash and Patio Dried

Harvest

March 2014 - May 2014

Storage

GrainPro™

Relationship

Fifth Year Direct Trade

Although Gustavo Alfaro is a fourth generation coffee farmer, he is not your typical producer. Upon graduating from the University of Guatemala, Gustavo went on to grad school in Chile and afterwards pursued further education & a carer as a biochemist in South Africa. Only within the past decade did family events bring Gustavo back to Guatemala to take over management of the farm, Hacienda Santa Rosa.

We first met Gustavo in early 2010 on a trip to Guatemala while at a cupping lab, and arranged to visit his farm. During that visit, we established the beginning of a strong relationship based on shared values of transparency and crafting the best product that was possible. Gustavo had a commemorative plaque placed along the path just before the entrance up to Buena Esperanza, the flagship lot at the highest point of the farm, that sums up his approach for the future of his farm: “Ser el cambio que se quiere ver” (”be the change you want to see”).

Last year Gustavo had a tough year after being hit hard by coffee rust; we helped out by purchasing the remaining production he was able to get from the farm. This past crop year has seen an incredible return; we’re again purchasing Buena Esperanza, as well as two different lots from lower elevations on the farm. Gustavo submitted Buena Esperanza to the prestigious Cup of Excellence (CoE) competition this year & placed #13, and will be selling a portion at the CoE auction this summer.

Beyond the farm, Gustavo has committed to social good: he runs a financing program for female entreprenuers in coffee farming in Huehuetenango, and has invested heavily in housing and services for his pickers. He’s easily the most generous & gracious gentleman we’ve had the pleasure of working with.

Text from Barismo's listing.