Visiting Finca De Don Elías: What It Taught Us About Sourcing Coffee

Our visit to Finca De Don Elías in Quindio wasn’t about finding a supplier. It was about understanding what truly intentional coffee farming looks like.

This is a small, family-run farm where you can arrive without an appointment and be welcomed in. From the start, the focus isn’t on selling, but it’s on showing. They walk you through every step of their process, from planting seeds by hand to roasting and grinding coffee in small batches. Every step was done by hand. 

What stood out most to us m is how deeply they commit to all-natural farming. Everything is done without chemicals:

• Coffee is grown under shade using orange, banana, and plantain trees
• Soil health is maintained through composting and natural inputs
• Disease management is handled without synthetic intervention

Seeing their process firsthand, from cultivation to hand-sorting defects, gave us a clearer picture of what “clean” coffee actually means at the farm level. It reinforced the importance of intentional farming practices when we evaluate partners.

At their farm, they grow Castillo and Typica, and the cup reflects that: floral, tea-like, and delicate, with a clarity. 

More than anything, this visit raised our standard.

As we continue sourcing for Good Grounds, experiences like this shape what we look for. Not just in flavor, but in how coffee is grown, handled, and respected at origin.