Adam and Rachel Overton

The Gesha Village project began in 2007 when Adam Overton and Rachel Samuel, who transitioned from creative careers in Los Angeles, began researching Ethiopia’s coffee heritage. Their exploration of the Gori Gesha forest—the documented birthplace of the renowned Gesha coffee variety—inspired them to establish a dedicated estate. In 2011, they secured a 471-hectare plot in the remote Bench Maji Zone, specifically chosen for its high altitude, fertile soil, and favorable climate, which mirrors the natural ecosystem of the wild coffee forests nearby.

Building the estate from the ground up, the couple collaborated with coffee consultant Willem Boot to develop a farm that balances large-scale production with environmental stewardship. The estate is divided into eight distinct blocks, including areas named Surma and Oma, and is planted with over 730,000 coffee trees. The primary varieties cultivated include Gesha 1931, Gori Gesha, and Illubabor Forest, all of which were sourced from seeds collected during their initial research into the region's genetic diversity.

Sustainability is a core pillar of the farm's operations. Approximately 27% of the estate is preserved as natural forest, and the coffee trees are interplanted with indigenous shade trees to maintain the local ecosystem. Beyond cultivation, the project has integrated itself into the local community by supporting government-run schools with supplies, assisting local clinics, and focusing on infrastructure improvements like fuel distribution for the surrounding population.

Processing at Gesha Village is noted for its precision and innovation, which has helped the estate gain a reputation for producing some of the most sought-after coffees in the specialty market. By implementing rigorous quality standards and diverse processing methods—such as anaerobic natural and washed techniques—the estate has successfully elevated Ethiopian-grown Gesha to a level of global prestige previously dominated by Central American producers.

In 2017, the estate made history by hosting its first-ever auction, a rare event for an Ethiopian farm that signaled its arrival on the international stage. This move allowed roasters worldwide to bid on specific lots, further cementing the farm's status as a "bucket list" origin for specialty coffee professionals. The transparency and traceability provided by the estate have made it a benchmark for modern, high-end coffee production.

Today, the work of Adam and Rachel is frequently cited in the context of world-class coffee competitions. Their coffees are regularly selected by baristas for championship routines, serving as a testament to the success of their mission to bring the original Ethiopian Gesha to the global forefront. The estate remains a focal point for those studying the intersection of genetic preservation, sustainable farming, and ultra-premium coffee quality.