La Aurora - Costa Rica

Santa Fe Micro Mill, established in 2017 in the high-altitude Tarrazú region of Costa Rica, is the passion project of Ivan Solis and his family. Nestled in the Santa Maria de Dota subregion at 1500-1900 meters, the mill processes exceptional micro-lot coffees that showcase the unique terroir of the area. Santa Fe produces 2,000 bags annually, primarily from the Catuai and Bourbon varieties, prized for their quality and complexity.

Ivan Solis has built a reputation in his community as a coffee connoisseur and a fair-minded partner to local farmers. His approach focuses on sourcing the best fruit from local growers while ensuring they are compensated fairly, creating a collaborative environment that supports sustainable farming practices. Over the years, Ivan and his family have developed a state-of-the-art processing station, fully equipped to handle every stage from wet milling to dry milling, allowing them complete control over quality.

At Santa Fe, meticulous attention is given to each step of processing. Once cherries are handpicked and washed, they are dried slowly on raised beds, a process that takes 15-25 days to enhance natural flavors and sweetness. Ivan also offers his dry milling facilities to nearby micro mills, fostering community support. Santa Fe’s dedication to quality results in a coffee with rich, fruity notes and a distinct sweetness that reflects the beauty of the Tarrazú region.