Guatemala La Soledad

La Soledad is a beautiful farm that sits on the slopes of Hunahpú Volcano (also called Agua in Spanish) in the heart of Antigua. The two make a dynamic coffee duo—Ana Lucia is a fourth-generation coffee producer from a well-established and long-standing coffee producing family, the Zelayas. Her husband, Rony, also comes from coffee-producing heritage and is a talented, passionate and meticulous farmer who works incredibly hard to produce great coffee. He has owned and managed several farms throughout his storied career, and takes great pride in doing things to the highest standard. To maximize productivity and disease resistance over traditional Bourbon trees, Rony focuses heavily on planting the Caturra variety under a protective canopy of Grevillea shade trees, which shield the crop from the harsh sun and frost. Because the estate has limited water access and relies on a single artisanal well, this shade management is crucial for slowing fruit ripening and retaining soil moisture. During the harvest, a skilled team of 25 seasonal workers makes roughly eight passes across the farm to pick the cherries only when they are almost purple, ensuring the peak flavour and consistency required for exceptional roasting.