Santa Isabel is situated on 300 acres of high, fertile land in the cool, rainy area of Cobán. The farm is owned and operated by the Valdés family. Luis is the general manager and his son, Luis Jr. (“Wicho”), whose background is in agronomy, acts as the agricultural manager. When the farm was originally planted with Bourbon, Caturra and Catuai varietals, the Cobán region wasn’t known for high-quality coffee. Fortunately, the Valdés family recognized the potential of their land, and through experimenting with cultivation techniques, drying practices, and an innovative pruning schedule, they’ve been successful in producing some truly spectacular coffees, placing twice in the Guatemala Cup of Excellence competition. Metropolis has visited Wicho’s farm nearly every year since we first started purchasing this lot 4 years ago. With it’s buttery body, tart apple acidity and delicate smooth finish, this annual favorite is perfect to cozy up with through the winter months.
