In the lush, mountainous region of Acevedo, Huila, Colombia, sits Finca Villa Betulia—a shining example of what resilience, innovation, and dedication to craft can achieve. At the heart of this transformation is Luis Aníbal Calderón, one of the finest producers our supply partner Cofinet works with.
Luis is no newcomer to coffee farming. As a second-generation farmer with over 40 years of experience, his roots run deep in the red soil of Huila. But like many in the industry, his journey hasn’t always been smooth. In fact, back in 2011, Luis stood on the brink of losing everything.
At the time, he was selling his coffee on the C market—a global commodities market notorious for its volatility and its often unjust pricing for farmers. The return on his harvest barely covered production costs, let alone the loan repayments on new land he had acquired in hopes of expanding. It was a turning point. He could have given up. Instead, he took a risk.
Luis reached out to his local Specialty Coffee Association, who agreed to pay 15% above the C market rate. While this was far from a windfall, it was enough to keep his dream alive—and it ignited a new one. That same year, he planted 5,000 Gesha trees, a highly prized and delicate variety known for its floral complexity and vibrant cup profile.
For three long years, Luis waited. Farming Gesha is not for the faint of heart. The trees require care, patience, and an unwavering belief in quality. But when the first harvest came in, Luis knew he was onto something extraordinary.
By 2015, Luis made a bold decision: to convert his entire farm to exotic coffee varieties. Today, Finca Villa Betulia is a wonderland of biodiversity and experimentation. The varietal list reads like a coffee connoisseur’s dream—Red Gesha, Tabi, Papayo, Pink Bourbon, Sidra, Java, Maracaturra, Wush Wush, and even rarities like Chilli Bourbon and Dwarf Yellow Bourbon. Each variety represents a commitment to excellence and a deep respect for the craft.
But it’s not just about growing exceptional coffee—Luis has become a master of processing, too. With support and partnership from Cofinet, he has refined his techniques for Extended Fermentation, Honey, and Natural processes, unlocking unique flavour profiles in every micro-lot.
Today, Finca Villa Betulia stands not just as a thriving farm, but as a beacon for specialty coffee in Colombia. It’s a reminder that behind every exceptional cup of coffee lies a story—a story of risk, resilience, and relentless pursuit of quality.
When you taste coffee from Luis Aníbal Calderón, you’re tasting the result of decades of knowledge, a fierce passion for innovation, and a journey that refused to be defined by hardship.
