Vita Blend
Northern Italian roast
This blend features strong caramel notes that are particularly prominent when paired with milk.
Original roaster or listing source US Brand Directory
Seattle, Washington · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive
Espresso Vivace
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info
TagsEspresso VivaceWashington coffee roastersEl SalvadorIndiaUgandaEthiopiaBrazilIndependentRoasts in-house
Visit Espresso Vivace's site Espresso Vivace is a pioneering Seattle-based roaster and café operator that specializes in the Northern Italian style of roasting. Founded in 1988, the company is renowned for its technical approach to espresso, focusing on achieving high levels of caramelized sugar content and sweetness. The brand has significantly influenced the American specialty coffee industry through its research, training materials, and the popularization of latte art. It operates as a dedicated roastery and retail institution committed to precision brewing and consistent quality.
Ownership
Espresso Vivace is an independent, family-founded business established by David Schomer and Geneva Sullivan.
Founded
1988
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
Espresso Vivace is widely recognized as a pioneering institution in the American specialty coffee movement, particularly for its research into Northern Italian-style roasting and its focus on achieving high caramelized sugar content in espresso.
Sourcing countries
El Salvador · India · Uganda · Ethiopia · Brazil
Farm-level sourcing
The brand focuses on sourcing mild Arabica beans to suit their specific roasting style, but they do not publicly disclose specific farm or producer names for their offerings. Their coffee program is centered on signature blends like Vita and Dolce, supplemented by a rotating selection of single-origin varietals.
Notable coffees
- — Vita Blend
- — Dolce Blend
- — Indian Malabar
- — Ethiopian Sidamo
- — Ugandan
- — Brazilian Clear
Documented coffee offerings
Coffees researched from Espresso Vivace
These are examples recorded during editorial research. They are not a live product feed. The coffee, lot, price, and availability may have changed. We have not necessarily brewed these coffees ourselves.
Dolce Blend
Brazil and Central America · Northern Italian roast
A complex and balanced espresso featuring a heavy red-gold crema with a sweet floral presence and rich chocolate notes.
Original roaster or listing sourceDecaf
Ethiopia · Swiss Water Process
A smooth, caramel-flavored profile with no acidity.
Original roaster or listing sourceIndian Malabar
India · Northern Italian roast
Features flavor notes of salted caramel and leather with a very high caramelized sugar content.
Original roaster or listing sourceEthiopian Sidamo
Ethiopia · Northern Italian roast
A chocolatey medium-bodied bean with notes of berries, dried plums, and herbs.
Original roaster or listing sourceExternal customer, cafe, marketplace, and class ratings are not comparable measures of the quality of an individual coffee. We do not convert them into original tasting scores or brand-wide star ratings. Our independent reviews are published separately after a coffee has actually been brewed and evaluated.
Verify original product sources
Retailer information: Espresso Vivace
Documented physical retailers
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's flagship cafe in Seattle sells 12oz bags of their roasted coffee beans.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): This Seattle location offers the brand's roasted coffee beans for home use.
Physical
Historical source note (not live inventory): A Seattle espresso stand where customers can purchase bags of the brand's coffee beans.
Physical
Documented online sources
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's official website sells their full range of coffee beans and merchandise.
Website
I was able to verify that Espresso Vivace sells its coffee beans through its three physical cafe locations in Seattle and its own official online store; no third-party retail partners were identified.
These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials. Last checked Nov 1, 2026. They are research links, not proof of current stock or a buying recommendation. Verify availability, price and location directly with the source.
In the news
Recent news and media coverage about Espresso Vivace, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.
2025-04-18 · Discover South Lake Union
Espresso Vivace Celebrates 37 Years Espresso Vivace marked its 37th anniversary with a special tasting event featuring rare single-origin coffees from Uganda, Brazil, and India. Founder David Schomer participated in the celebration, reflecting on the brand's legacy in Seattle's coffee culture and the ongoing challenges of navigating climate change and global trade.
Sources used in this deep dive
- https://espressovivace.com/retail/brix/
- https://espressovivace.com/retail/alley-24/
- https://espressovivace.com/retail/
- https://espressovivace.com/shop/
- https://www.instagram.com/espressovivace?hl=en
- https://www.filternotes.com/seattle/espresso-vivace
- https://espressovivace.com/shop
- https://espressovivace.com/our-coffee/blends
- https://espressovivace.com/product/vita-blend
- https://espresso-vivace.tenereteam.com/
- https://espressovivace.com/
- https://espressovivace.com/contact/our-story
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso_Vivace
- https://espressovivace.com/our-coffee/single-origin
- https://espressovivace.com/contact/environmental-ethics
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-03. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. While the brand emphasizes sourcing from farms that function as complete ecosystems, specific farm names or producer details for their primary blends are not explicitly listed on their public website.