Good Vibes Roastery - Finca La Camelia, Washed Colombia
Tasting Notes:
Omni Roast - Earl Grey Florals, Apricot, Fig, Honey.
Roasted for milk-based espresso, fresh peach notes, figs and honey sweetness, with earlgrey floral overtones. Works well as a filter too.
Origin: El Vergel, Antioquia
Producer: Echavarria Family
Altitude: 1800masl
Process: Fully Washed
Varietal: Variedad Colombia
The Farm
The Echavarria family began to consolidate the farms in the 1980s, from the beginning Sr. Pedro Echavarria knew that location was crucial. Attracted by diverse microclimates, singular volcanic soils, perfect altitude and a tradition of excellence in coffee production, he established Camelia in the high Andes of Antioquia and slowly went about acquiring more land over time. By marrying these perfect natural conditions with hard work and efficiency, he quickly grew both the area under cultivation and the farm’s reputation.
Harvesting
Camelia’s coffee is selectively hand harvested and then brought up to the highest part of the road using cable cars. From there, it is delivered to the family’s mill, La JoyerĂa. Each lot is composed of two days worth of picking; the coffee picked on the second day is added to the first after 24 hours fermentation and then left to ferment in the tanks for a further 24 hours. In this method of fermentation, the second batch raises the ph level of the fermentation tank, permitting longer fermentation times without the acetic acid produced by bacteria at a lower pH level.
Social and Environmental Responsibility
Santa Bárbara Estate employs 60 people all year round, who on average earn 30% above the minimum wage. Half of these also receive free housing within the farm for themselves and their families. A further 1,200 pickers are hired during the main harvest, comprised mainly of farmers from around the Santa Bárbara Estate who pick coffee to supplement their income. Workers are generally long-term employees and have been with the company for more than 10 years.
The Santa Bárbara Estate also runs an extensive scholarship and financial aid program for worker’s children as well as helping long-standing employees to acquire their own piece of land upon retirement.