Lot 4: Finca Huehuetepan María del Rosario Irais Valdivia Ortiz

Finca Huehuetepan, nestled in the verdant highlands of Cosautlán de Carvajal, Veracruz, stands as a beacon of excellence in specialty coffee production. Under the stewardship of María del Rosario Irais Valdivia Ortiz, a trailblazing woman in the coffee industry, the farm has consistently delivered award-winning coffees that resonate with connoisseurs worldwide.

Spanning 19 hectares, with 16 dedicated to coffee cultivation and 3 preserved as native oak forest, the farm thrives at an elevation of 1,350 meters above sea level. This altitude, coupled with abundant rainfall and temperate climates averaging 21–24°C, creates an ideal microclimate for cultivating exceptional coffee varieties such as Typica, Geisha, and Pacamara.

Since inheriting the farm in 1978, María del Rosario has been at the forefront of innovative processing methods. In 2010, she initiated a transformation towards producing high-quality specialty coffees, building upon the legacy of her father, Nicéforo Valdivia Quiroz. Her dedication bore fruit in 2012 when Finca Huehuetepan secured 6th place in the Mexico Cup of Excellence, marking the beginning of a series of achievements

2012: 6th place, Cup of Excellence

2014: Winner, Cup of Excellence

2016: Finalist, Aromas de la Sierra

2017–2019: Consecutive wins in the Cup of Excellence

2021: Winner, Cup of Excellence

María del Rosario's pioneering spirit is evident in her adoption of advanced processing techniques. Collaborating with international partners, she has implemented long fermentations of up to 200 hours for natural coffees and anaerobic fermentations for washed coffees. Drying is meticulously conducted over 21 days on African beds, ensuring the development of complex flavor profiles.

The farm's commitment to sustainability is reflected in its water-saving processing systems and the separation of cherries and green beans to produce specialty parchments. Post-harvest, coffees are stored in hermetically sealed GrainPro bags within a controlled environment, preserving their quality until they reach discerning buyers.

Producing between 400–500 quintals annually, Finca Huehuetepan focuses on cultivating National Coffee Tables and Red Bourbon varieties for specialty markets. The harvest peaks in January and February, aligning with optimal climatic conditions.

María del Rosario's unwavering dedication and innovative approach have established Finca Huehuetepan as a reliable and consistent supplier of high-quality specialty coffees, embodying the rich heritage and progressive future of Veracruz's coffee industry.