ALEXANDER VARGAS

Arriving at Finca La Piragua, you're first greeted by vast fields of pitaya, or dragon fruit, rather than coffee. This is part of Alexander Vargas’ approach to crop diversification. Though coffee has always been central to his life—coming from a family of coffee growers—he set out on his own around 2000, acquiring shrubland and transforming it into a thriving coffee farm. His dedication and hard work have turned Finca La Piragua into a source of great pride, built entirely by him and his family. Today, he manages 12 hectares, with 10.5 dedicated to coffee and the rest to dragon fruit. Alongside his wife, Lidia, he oversees the harvesting, fermentation, and drying of their specialty coffee.

In 2006, Alexander made the pivotal decision to focus exclusively on specialty coffee, aiming to add value to his work and gain recognition for the quality of his harvests. Seeking to improve productivity and secure economic stability for his family, he joined the coffee group Café Quebradón, where he gained valuable knowledge and experience. After his time with the group, he continued as an independent producer, applying what he had learned to further refine his farm's operations.

Always striving for improvement, Alexander is now focused on enhancing his processes and infrastructure to produce even higher-quality coffee. His commitment to excellence ensures that every lot he delivers meets the highest standards, making Finca La Piragua a standout in specialty coffee production.