Located in the temperate climate and mountainous terrain of southwest Antioquia, Finca Las Mercedes has the perfect altitude and climate for producing excellent quality coffee as well as playing host to a diversity of native flora and fauna. In this ideally situated terrain, the Guerra family have dedicated 150 of their 386 extensive hectares to coffee. The rest of the farm lies under native forest – some 236 hectares devoted entirely as nature and a watershed preserve.

All coffee at Las Mercedes is selectively hand harvested before being delivered to the farm’s state-of-the-art mill to be pulped on the same day. After pulping, the coffee is
fermented twice. The first fermentation is anaerobic, occurring at cool temperatures for 25 hours. Afterwards, the coffee is fermented aerobically for an additional 25 hours,
then washed and graded via the canal. Next, the beans are delivered to dry on raised beds in the open sun, where they are regularly turned until they reach optimal humidity.

Las Mercedes employs 15 permanent workers and 150 during the harvest. The staff are diligent in researching and implementing the best agricultural practices. Some 20% of
their trees are renovated annually and the farm is looking towards planting disease-resistant and durable coffee varietals. The family is also always looking for new ways to
improve their coffees’ quality in the cup. Their main harvest is in November-February when 60% of the annual production is harvested, and later in April-June for the remaining 40%. The farm’s diligent environmental and social practices have led them to achieve Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Kapeh and 4C certification.