Javier Madrid and family, Finca El Bosque

I remember very well that I planted my first coffee secretly, in a remote part of some land with majestic pine trees that I had purchased, in the mid-nineties.

I didn’t want my wife, Lorena, to find out, because she didn’t believe in coffee as a viable crop and had told me not to do it.

Of course, she discovered this all too soon and it took me all my persuasive skills to convince her to continue. Little by little, she became as enthusiastic as I was. We bought more land, and nowadays we run a beautiful finca that stretches out over 100 hectares in a decades old pine forest. 

Originally, I am a lawyer and I still hold office in two small towns near the finca. But now, our two children are young adults and they are somewhat torn between becoming lawyers as well, or coffee growers. 

Helping people fight against injustice is a great job, but coffee is our passion, and, in my view, we also fight against injustice through our farm. The finca has become an important part of our own livelihood and it’s the main source of income for dozens of people, like pickers, from the surrounding villages, who would otherwise be jobless most of the year.

Around Christmas, and then again on national children’s day in September, we hand out special foods, small presents or school supplies to support our employees and their families. When I think back of how it all started, with a few dozen plants that I hid from my wife like a naughty child would hide a stolen cookie from his mom, I’m incredibly proud of everything we have achieved in the past two decades. And the best way to share this pride with you, is by inviting you to try some of our exquisite coffees!

Farm facts

Catimor, catuaí, and parainema varieties.  

100 hectares spread out in a decades old pine forest. There’s no need to plant trees for shadow.

1.300 – 1,600 meters.

The finca is FTO certified but we also offer micro-lots.

This farm is Rain Forest Alliance certified.