Brazil
Sul de Minas
Denis de Oliveira Alves
Sitio Santa Quitéria
Red Catuai
Natural
June-July
Bright, Citric Acid, Clean, Marzipan, Silky Sweet, Toffee
1100 meters
N/A
59kg with liner
SOLD OUT
Denis de Oliveira Alves is the third generation of coffee producers in his family. He received the nine hectares that comprise Sítio Santa Quitéria, named for the Santa Quitéria where it lies, from his father 10 years ago and has since continued his cultivations.
Initial challenges included a general lack of technology and equipment, and today the obstacles take the shape of costly manual labor, plant diseases, and a vulnerable climate. Despite all these hardships, Denis’ objective is to offer specialty coffees to the market. The farm’s high elevation is favorable to quality production and he manages all stages with care and dedication.
The passion for coffee production flows in his family’s veins and inspires him to invest in new technologies and techniques to grow the farm. Currently Sítio Santa Quitéria has a cement drying patio, tractors, and tools for selective harvesting.
Southern Minas Gerais is one of Brazil’s most productive coffee producing areas. This region has grown Arabica coffee since the 1850s and is characterized by rolling hills, a mild climate averaging 23° C, and high elevations. While some of the largest coffee producing properties in Brazil are located in Sul de Minas, more than half of the region’s producers are small to medium-sized farms. Sul de Minas accounts for, on average, 30% of Brazil’s coffee production.
The mountainous terrain, reaching up to 1400 meters above sea level, is ideally suited for growing coffee and Sul de Minas has increased production quality through investments in infrastructure and sustainability measures. The most commonly cultivated varieties are Yellow Catuai and Novo Mundo, with some farms also growing Icatu, Obatã and Red Catuai. Most of the coffee produced is processed as Natural and the final cup profiles are full bodied, with low acidity and fruity aromas.
