Echavarría Family

The Echavarría family’s influence on Colombian coffee spans four generations, rooted in the Antioquia region. While the family has a long history in the sector, the modern iteration of their operations was established nearly three decades ago by Don Pedro Echavarría. Under his leadership, the family transitioned from traditional farming to a vertically integrated model, encompassing production, processing, and export. This shift allowed them to maintain rigorous control over quality, ensuring that their coffee is traceable from the seed to the final cup.

At the heart of their operations is the Santa Barbara Estate, a property renowned for its high-altitude volcanic soil and favorable climate. The estate serves as a model for modern coffee production, where the family prioritizes quality over quantity. This commitment is evidenced by their daily cupping protocols and meticulous processing methods, such as sun-drying coffee in long rows with frequent turning to ensure uniform moisture content. By incentivizing their employees with educational resources, the family has fostered a culture of excellence that permeates every stage of production.

Beyond their own farms, the Echavarría family founded Pergamino Specialty Coffee, an organization that has become a vital link between Colombian producers and international markets. Pergamino operates wet and dry mills and provides essential agronomic advice to smallholder farmers. This initiative was born from a desire to create a sustainable business model that empowers local growers, helping them access high-end markets that were previously out of reach. Today, this work is carried forward by Pedro Echavarría Jr., who continues to lead the family’s coffee operations.

Innovation remains a hallmark of the family’s approach. They have been instrumental in introducing rare coffee varieties and experimenting with advanced processing techniques, such as natural processing, to highlight the unique flavor profiles of Colombian coffee. Finca Lomaverde, a 70-hectare property owned by the family, serves as a primary site for these efforts. Under the guidance of the younger generation, the family has even made strategic decisions to downsize production areas to focus on sustainability and the cultivation of high-value, specialty-grade microlots.

The family’s impact extends to the retail sector as well, with the establishment of multiple Pergamino cafés in Medellín. These shops serve as a showcase for their own harvests and the coffees of the many producers they support through their cooperative network. By bridging the gap between the farm gate and the consumer, the Echavarrías have successfully elevated the profile of Antioquian coffee on the global stage.

Recognition for the family’s work is widespread, with their microlots frequently appearing in the offerings of specialty roasters worldwide. Their success is not merely measured in cup scores or competition results, but in the long-term relationships they have built with international partners and the tangible improvements they have facilitated for smallholder farmers across Colombia. Their story stands as a testament to the power of vertical integration and the enduring value of family-led stewardship in the specialty coffee industry.