Producer: Armando Benavides Portilla
Farm: Finca Santa Maria
Region: Nariño
Altitude: 1,850 masl
Varietal: Caturra
Process: Washed
Roast: Light
Notes: Candied Almond, Mandarin, Cocoa Powder

Growing conditions at Finca Santa Maria in Nariño are unique, with long hours of sunlight and hot springs allowing the coffee trees to grow at higher, colder altitudes approaching 1,900 masl. This results in a coffee we value for its great level of sweetness and acidity.

Lote Valeria (named after Armando's daughter) consists of Caturra from various growing plots at the farm.

Finca Santa Maria's original owners set goals with clear technical concepts on how to grow their Caturra variety to produce the best results. They took steps to make their farm environmentally sound, incorporating a shade canopy to maintain a natural balance between flora and fauna. Sustainable farming techniques and soil conservation initiatives have produced amazing results since Armando Benavides Portilla took ownership of the farm in the 1990s.

Since 2020, Armando has shifted processing to his friend Huber Castillo's wet mill at Finca El Paseo, where Huber has produced consistent lots and had great success with processing experiments. After being washed, the coffee is transported to Armando’s home in nearby Buesaco. While it’s unusual to see coffee dried away from the farm or wet mill, drying the coffee at Armando’s primary residence means he can keep a watchful eye on progress and make adjustments at a moment's notice. If humidity rises dramatically, or an unexpected storm occurs, the drying rooms can be closed to prevent fluctuations in the process.