Fazenda Rio Verde, located in the heart of the Mantiqueira de Minas mountains, was the third stop on my trip to Brazil.

Fazenda Rio Verde, located in the heart of the Mantiqueira de Minas mountains, was the third stop on my trip to Brazil.
Fazenda Rio Verde has a fascinating history that begins way back in 1887, when Antonio Fachardo Junqueira and Gabriella Augusta inherited the farm as part of their wedding gift. Since then, the family has dedicated generations to coffee cultivation, with pioneering innovations and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.

Meetings and warm welcome

During my visit to Fazenda Rio Verde, I had the opportunity to meet Glauco, the export manager, and Maria, a saleswoman from the export team. Both gave me a warm welcome and took me on a guided tour to explore the farm. It was interesting to learn about the sustainable farming practices adopted here and their B Corp philosophy.

The history of the Fazenda Rio Verde

The Fazenda Rio Verde has a rich and fascinating history. The farm was already in existence before Antonio Fachardo Junqueira and Gabriella Augusta inherited it as part of their wedding gift. In 1887, the couple introduced coffee cultivation for the first time. In 1920, their grandson Antenor took to the helm and put in place innovations such as separating batches by quality and colour and building brick patios to improve the drying process.

During the difficult period between World War I and the economic crisis of 1929, Antenor made the farm self-sufficient by producing various food and agricultural products. In 1964, Luiz Cyrillo Fernandes, Antenor’s son-in-law, continued to innovate and promote sustainability, building new coffee processing facilities and implementing an intensive fertilisation programme.

Nature conservation

One of the most exciting aspects of the visit was the laboratory where the seeds of native plants not related to coffee are classified and stored. A lush greenhouse is located next to the laboratory where these plants are grown to reforest the area. It was incredible to see the farm’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, with 33% of their 1,600 hectares dedicated to nature reserves.
I learned that the Fazenda Rio Verde is home to a variety of fauna, including cascavel snakes, toucans, jaguars, panthers and the majestic giant anteater. This place is a real natural sanctuary and I felt privileged to get to explore it.

The gastronomic experience

I cannot forget the hospitality I was given. The traditional food was plentiful and delicious, with dishes such as rice, bolo de chocolate and coco, and pudim, which were a delight for the palate. Every meal was an experience of discovery and pleasure.

Coffee production

The beating heart of Fazenda Rio Verde is, without a doubt, the coffee.
I got the opportunity to visit the processing facilities, which have been in operation since 2018, and found it to be the most technological plant I have ever seen. This state-of-the-art plant uses innovative, fully sealed, vertical ovens divided into four overlapping horizontal chambers. The coffee enters the upper chamber and, as it dries, moves to the chambers below. It is a fascinating system due to its efficiency and precision, which guarantees optimal product drying.
This innovative approach led to the production of the coffee that won the Cup of Excellence competition in 2023. They produce various types of coffee, including natural, pulped natural (also known as honey coffee), semi-washed and anaerobically fermented coffee.

40% of the harvesting is still done by hand, with pickers often using a mechanical arm similar to the one used in Italy for olive harvesting. The rest of the harvest is mechanised, but always with a focus on quality.

One of the most interesting aspects of the farm is the coffee garden, where 45 botanical varieties of coffee, mainly Brazilian in origin, are studied. Of particular note are the Yellow Arara and Yellow Paraiso varieties that they produce. This garden is a true open-air laboratory, a symbol of the ongoing research and innovation that distinguishes Fazenda Rio Verde.

Educational and community projects

Something else that struck me was Fazenda Rio Verde’s commitment to educational and community projects. One such project invites school children, from both primary and secondary, to spend a day at the farm to experience a typical day of their customer. This allows young people to become curious and learn about one of their country’s most important agricultural products and for their economy: coffee.

Another project involves the families of the workers. Three days a year, Rio Verde workers can bring their families to the farm to show them the great work they do to produce superior quality coffee. It was touching to see how the community is involved and supported through these initiatives, creating a strong and conscious link between the farm and the local area.

My visit to Fazenda Rio Verde left me with a deep feeling of gratitude and a sincere desire to collaborate in the future. Although we have not yet started an official partnership, Glauco and Maria’s hospitality and openness made me feel part of something special. I hope this trip is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.

Thank you, Fazenda Rio Verde, for welcoming me with open arms into your extraordinary company.