Diego Robelo

Diego Robelo serves as the manager of Aquiares Estate, a historic coffee plantation located on the fertile slopes of the Turrialba Volcano in Costa Rica. Founded in 1890, the estate is famously known as 'Aquiares Coffee and Community,' as it functions as a self-sustaining village home to approximately 1,800 people. Robelo’s leadership has been instrumental in evolving the farm's identity, shifting its focus from large-scale commodity production to the cultivation of high-quality, specialty-grade micro-lots that have achieved scores exceeding ninety points.

The farm's success under Robelo is rooted in a commitment to environmental stewardship and scientific innovation. Aquiares holds the distinction of being the first coffee farm in Costa Rica to achieve carbon-neutral certification. By integrating regenerative agriculture, the estate utilizes the shade of native trees and rich volcanic soil to create a stable microclimate for its coffee trees. This environmental focus is paired with a rigorous approach to research, as Robelo has positioned the farm as a hub for testing new coffee varieties and processing techniques.

Robelo has actively fostered collaborations with prestigious institutions such as World Coffee Research and CATIE to navigate the challenges of climate change. By maintaining varietal gardens and participating in field trials, the farm serves as a living laboratory for the industry. This dedication to research allows the estate to adapt to shifting weather patterns while maintaining the consistent quality required for the specialty market, ensuring the long-term viability of the farm's production.

In practice, this means the estate is known for its diverse portfolio of cultivars, including F1 hybrids like Esperanza and H1 Centroamericano. These varieties are often processed using modern methods, such as red honey and natural processing, which are designed to highlight the unique terroir of the Turrialba region. For roasters and consumers, this translates to coffees characterized by complex flavor profiles, often featuring notes of stone fruit, berries, and cocoa.

Beyond the technical aspects of coffee production, Robelo is a vocal advocate for the social sustainability of the coffee industry. His work emphasizes the importance of the community living on the estate, ensuring that the farm's growth benefits the people who reside there. This holistic approach to management has made Aquiares a globally recognized model for how large-scale estates can balance profitability with social responsibility and ecological health.

Today, Diego Robelo is widely regarded as a forward-thinking producer who bridges the gap between traditional coffee farming and modern specialty standards. His efforts have not only elevated the reputation of Turrialba coffee on the international stage but have also provided a blueprint for other large estates seeking to modernize their operations. Through his ongoing partnerships with roasters and research organizations, Robelo continues to influence the future of sustainable coffee production.