El Deviso — Fabian Muñoz

Finca El Diviso is located in the mountains of the Huila region, specifically near the towns of Pitalito and Bruselas, Colombia. Founded by José Uribe Lasso, the farm has undergone a significant transformation over the last decade. While the farm originally focused on traditional commodity production, the second generation—led by brothers Néstor and Adrián Lasso—shifted the operation toward high-end specialty coffee. Néstor took over management of the 17-to-18-hectare property in his early twenties, choosing to prioritize innovation and quality over traditional farming practices.

The farm’s reputation is built on a rigorous, experimental approach to coffee production. The Lasso family has moved away from standard varieties like Caturra and Castillo, instead dedicating their land to exotic cultivars such as Sidra, Geisha, Pink Bourbon, Pacamara, and Chiroso. This focus on variety is paired with a commitment to meticulous processing, which has made the farm a frequent name on the international specialty coffee stage and in global coffee competitions.

Processing at El Diviso is characterized by high levels of control and technical experimentation. The farm utilizes advanced methods, including anaerobic fermentation and thermal shock techniques, where cherries are subjected to temperature-controlled water baths to influence the final cup profile. These methods are designed to enhance sweetness, clarity, and aromatic intensity. The farm’s infrastructure reflects this technical focus, featuring innovative solutions like cable cars for transporting coffee and cherries across the steep, mountainous terrain, as well as specialized drying systems that allow for precise control over sun exposure.

For the roaster and the drinker, El Diviso represents a shift toward intentional, science-driven coffee production. The farm’s output is often associated with complex, fruit-forward sensory profiles, such as notes of tropical fruit, berries, and floral aromatics. Because the family experiments with different microorganisms and fermentation durations, the resulting coffees are highly traceable and often produced in small, distinct lots that highlight the specific impact of the chosen processing method.

The success of Finca El Diviso is a testament to the potential for smallholder farms in Huila to achieve global recognition through quality control and innovation. By moving beyond the traditional model of coffee farming, the Lasso family has created a benchmark for modern Colombian specialty coffee. Their work demonstrates how ancestral knowledge of the land, when combined with a modern, experimental spirit, can produce coffees that are highly sought after by specialty roasters worldwide.

Today, the farm continues to be a family-run operation, with the brothers and their parents working together to refine their techniques. Their ongoing commitment to research and development ensures that El Diviso remains at the forefront of the specialty coffee industry. For those in the coffee community, the name El Diviso serves as a marker of consistent, high-quality production that challenges the boundaries of what is possible in coffee processing and varietal expression.