Santa Isabel Espresso

This year marks the tenth year in a row that Market Lane have offered coffee from Santa Isabel Estate. The farm was founded in 1875 and today it is owned by Luis Valdés Sr, and managed by his son Luis Jr, whose nickname is Wicho. Growing up watching and helping his father on the farm, Wicho fell in love with coffee from a young age. He later went on to study Agriculture before returning to work on the farm in 1998.

Two hundred hectares of Santa Isabel Estate are planted with caturra and catuaî variety coffee trees. Wicho is fastidious in his approach to farming and processing, and he is continually evaluating and investing in farm improvements to enhance quality. He is also passionate about preserving the natural environment, with the remaining 88 hectares of the farm set aside as nature reserve to protect water resources and encourage biodiversity.

These days, Wicho has three kids of his own, and they spend their weekends and school holidays with him on the farm. "I hope they will find a love for coffee like I did," he says.