La Esperanza, Filter - Colombia

For more than 30 years, William Buitrago and his wife, Aminta Mahocha Franco, have farmed the steep valley of Río La China in Tolima, Colombia.

Their farm, La Esperanza, meaning “the hope”, sits at an impressive 1,960 masl, in the traditional territory of the Pijao people. The cultural heritage of this Indigenous community remains an important part of life across the surrounding region.

Coffee and beekeeping are closely intertwined at La Esperanza. William keeps more than 30 beehives, recognising the relationship between the two: the coffee blossoms provide nectar that gives the honey its distinctive floral character, while the bees help pollinate the coffee trees.

William also cares for native Melipona bees, relocating wild colonies he encounters while pruning his coffee trees. For him, protecting these bees is simply part of caring for the farm and its ecosystem.

Decades of experience, a deep connection to the land and a commitment to biodiversity come together in this exceptional coffee.

• Region: Tolima
• Country: Colombia
• Elevation: 1,960 masl
• Variety: Caturra, Colombia
• Processing: Washed