Finca El Paraiso, owned by José Ignacio Gómez, is lucky enough to receive the famous Buesaco weather. Not only this, it also has amazing landscape views, which is how the farm got its name. In their efforts to protect the amazing biodiversity and climate, on Finca El Paraiso they aim to produce coffee in an environmentally sustainable way.
One of the most stable components in José Ignacio Gómez’s life has been coffee. His father was a lifelong farmer dedicated to the production of coffee, and from a young age José remembers helping his father on the farm. It was on these days spend with his father that José learned a lot of what he now knows about coffee production.
In 2002, looking to test himself, he decided to purchase a farm and began producing coffee on his own. He started off producing conventional coffees but after a while he felt he needed a greater challenge; and one with greater rewards.
This sparked José’s interest in the idea of producing specialty coffee, however, he didn’t want to do it half-heartedly.
Not only did José begin learning about the production side of things but he also learned how to cup and analyse his own coffee, trying to understand how changes on the farm would affect his coffee profile.
After starting to produce specialty coffee, José decided to found the Cooperativa de Cafés Especiales de Nariño with some other quality-focused producers in the region, the idea being that the Cooperative would help its members find a market for their outstanding coffees.
José’s involvement with the cooperative as well as his dedication on the farm has led him to make a success of his specialty coffee venture – and we think you’ll agree.
