About the producer

The Gaona brothers—Camilo (53), Vicente (57), and Iván (49)— were born in the Espíndola canton of the Loja province, an area renowned for quality coffee production. 29 years ago, however, the region was severely affected by drought and the economic depression that followed. They left Espíndola along with their families and seven neighbors and headed east. They crossed the Andes mountain range and arrived in the city of Zuma in the province of Zamora Chinchipe. Here, locals told them to keep heading further east where they would find verdant, uncultivated lands suitable for farming coffee. They continued traveling for another week until final they arrived in the remote community of Nuevos Horizontes and settled down with dreams of building a brighter future.

From planting, to harvesting, to processing, Finca El Guayacan is run by the brothers and their families. The micro-climate of Nuevos Horizontes has been key in their consistent production of microlots showcasing the vibrant, floral Ecuadoran flavor profile beloved by coffee enthusiasts the world over.