Region: San Juan, Lachao, Oaxaca
Elevation: 1150-1500 masl
About: The town of San Juan and the micro-region of Oaxaca de Juárez were once a thriving coffee-growing region. With their close proximity to Puerto Escondido (now a world-class surfing destination) and the high elevation provided by the Southern Sierra Madre Mountains, the region seemed to have all the elements necessary for success. However, declining coffee prices and the remoteness of the area led to many farms being broken up, neglected, or entirely abandoned. Finca Las Nieves, founded in 1880, was one such farm—until 2006, when a group of producers established a new cooperative on the land.
Over the last eighteen years, the farm has slowly been revitalised, adopting organic farming practices and an equitable pay structure for all cooperative members and employees. Finca Las Nieves is completely off the grid, with all its energy coming from solar, hydroelectric, and biodiesel sources. A variety garden provides all the diversity one could ask for, including Geisha, Typica, Pacamara, SL28, and many more. This naturally processed Geisha scored an incredible 91+ points in the 2023 and 2024 Mexico Cup of Excellence competitions, securing a Presidential Award along with first-place honours in both years. This is our second year purchasing this stunning coffee through the COE auction, and we couldn’t be happier to see it return.
