Finca La Llorona
Fatima Marinin Manica
24
My name is Marina, and alongside my husband, Álvaro Fadanelli Sandoval, I lead Finca La Llorona—a historic estate nestled in the high mountains of Veracruz. Our deep connection to this land dates back to the historic Italian migration of 1881 when our ancestors arrived in Mexico. Passed down through three generations, our farm is uniquely shaped by its terroir and its lore; bathed by cold alpine winds blowing from the Pico de Orizaba glacier, it is also home to the legendary myth of La Llorona (The Weeping Woman), whose spirit is said to roam through our coffee trees. As a proud woman of the countryside, what began as a traditional family inheritance has evolved into a lifelong passion for producing world-class specialty coffee that honors our roots and respects the planet.
Operating an elite estate at this altitude comes with profound challenges, particularly keeping leaf rust (roya) and anthracnose out of our fields. To achieve a complex and resilient crop, we manage a meticulously curated genetic mix: heirloom Typica trees originally planted by our grandparents (i nonni) over 50 years ago, Marsellesa for its vibrant acidity and structural strength, and our coveted Geisha trees that impart a delicate floral and sweet complexity to our lots. Our processing protocols are uncompromisingly eco-friendly. We begin with a meticulous hand-picking of fully ripe cherries during the early hours of the day. Following a strictly controlled fermentation phase, the coffee is depulped dry using eco-friendly manual machinery with zero environmental impact, and slowly dried on raised beds inside a solar-tunnel wind dryer.
For our close-knit, small team, every harvest is a shared family effort rooted in mutual respect and an absolute commitment to quality. Once dried, the parchment coffee is stored in a dry warehouse on elevated pallets inside protective, high-barrier anti-fungal bags, ensuring it remains pristine and clean of any pesticides. Participating in the Cup of Excellence has completely transformed our lives, connecting us with global friends who are now family, broadening our technical knowledge, and bringing true value to our beans. Through Finca La Llorona, we are proud to share a cup that is entirely free of environmental pollution, rich in history, and crafted with absolute devotion.
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