Juan Saldarriaga owns and operates the family farms El Encanto and La Claudina, located near Cuidad Bolivar in Antioquia. Covering altitudes of 1380-1800 masl and nestled within preserved natural forest, El Encanto has around 26 hectares dedicated to coffee production. This particular lot is named after his father Luis.
When Juan assumed control of the farms in 2012, he planted a large range of varietals from unusual Castillos, Caturras and Tabi's to Bourbon, Geisha and SL28s to ascertain which could flourish on his land. El Encanto boasts a garden showcasing this diversity, and the site is known for being exceptionally beautiful and tranquil. Alongside his intrigue with cultivars, Juan has always been ambitious with the potential of speciality coffee in Antioquia. From starting small back in 2013 trialling natural processing, Juan is now well versed with experimental fermentations and drying techniques. He has forged a community of coffee farmers with whom he collaborates to explore and elevate the coffee production in the area.
Seasonal buying is about seeing coffee as a crop not a commodity, buying in harmony with the growing seasons to enjoy coffee at its best. This kind of buying has always been the backbone of our business and it’s something we’ve improved and refined every year.
