GUATEMALA | NICOLAS RAMIREZ - WASHED

Quejiná Finca Quejiná has been in the family for many years, starting with Nicolas' great grandfather. Nestled in the dense forest of Petetan high up on a mountain ridge, Quejiná boasts a beautiful view of the valleys below. While harvesting coffee at over 2000 masl presents a learning curve, Nicolas is proud of his coffees and the many decades he's spent pursuing excellence. Lots are separated by altitude and slope, according to readiness. During the height of harvest from February through March and into April, Nicolas and his son turn in small lots to their export partners. Quejiná varieties include Caturra, Pache and Bourbon.

Don Nicolas comes from very humble beginnings as a native Mam speaker who didn't go to school or learn Spanish until he was nearly an adult. His orientation to the world is one of gentle grace and earned kindness, and his family is incredibly important to him. In recent years, Don Nicolas has been able to purchase more land, plant new trees, invest in processing experiments, while learning and investing in new techniques.