Dwight Aguilar Masias

Dwight Aguilar Masias is a third-generation coffee farmer based in the Santa Teresa district of the La Convención province in Cusco, Peru. His farm, Finca Nueva Alianza, is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,820 meters above sea level on the eastern slopes of the Andes. While he originally aspired to study agricultural engineering, financial constraints led him to focus his efforts entirely on his family's land, where he transformed his inherited knowledge into a rigorous, science-driven approach to coffee cultivation.

Aguilar Masias gained international prominence through his unprecedented success in the Cup of Excellence (CoE) competition. He secured first place in the 2018 Peru CoE and repeated this feat in 2021, becoming the country's first two-time champion. In addition to these victories, he placed 10th in the 2020 competition. These accolades have established him as a leading figure in the specialty coffee sector, with industry observers citing his success as a testament to the rising quality and global competitiveness of Peruvian coffee.

His farm is noted for its commitment to innovation and the cultivation of high-value, specialty-grade varieties. Aguilar Masias is particularly recognized for his work with the Gesha variety, including the cultivation of a rare 'Yellow Gesha' mutation. His production methods emphasize meticulous attention to detail, from fertilization and harvesting schedules to post-harvest processing, which he describes as a demanding, 24-hour commitment to quality.

Beyond his competition success, Aguilar Masias serves as an active advocate for the Peruvian coffee industry. He frequently speaks on the challenges facing modern producers, including the increasing threat of climate change. He has documented the emergence of coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) at high altitudes where it was previously unknown, highlighting the existential risks that warming temperatures pose to high-elevation farms in the Andes.

For roasters and consumers, the name Dwight Aguilar Masias has become synonymous with high-scoring, complex Peruvian lots. His coffees are often characterized by floral and fruit-forward profiles, such as orange blossom and yellow flower notes, which are highly sought after in the specialty market. His ability to consistently produce award-winning coffee under varying environmental pressures has made his farm a focal point for those studying the intersection of traditional farming and modern specialty standards.

Today, Aguilar Masias continues to operate Finca Nueva Alianza, balancing the demands of specialty production with the realities of a changing climate. His story is frequently cited by coffee professionals as a model of resilience and excellence, illustrating how individual dedication and technical innovation can elevate an entire origin's reputation on the world stage.