Fazenda Irmãs Pereira

Fazenda Irmãs Pereira is a 250-hectare estate situated in the Mantiqueira de Minas region of Brazil, specifically in Carmo de Minas. The land was originally purchased in the early 1970s by Antônio Andrade Pereira Filho and his wife, Maria da Conceição Costa Pereira, who established the farm under the name Fazenda Serrado. Following the passing of their father, the couple's daughters, Maria Valéria and Maria Rogéria, assumed management of the estate. Rather than dividing the property, the sisters chose to maintain it as a unified enterprise, renaming it 'Irmãs Pereira'—or 'Pereira Sisters'—to symbolize their commitment to family unity and shared stewardship.

Today, approximately 120 hectares of the estate are dedicated to coffee cultivation. The farm's topography is notably challenging, characterized by steep terrain that necessitates manual harvesting rather than the mechanized picking common in other parts of Brazil. This labor-intensive approach is supported by a dedicated workforce, for whom the farm provides housing, healthcare through a Family Health Program, and recreational facilities, including an on-site soccer pitch used for annual tournaments.

The farm cultivates a diverse range of coffee varieties, including Yellow Icatu, Yellow Catuaí, Yellow Catucaí, Acaiá, Mundo Novo, and various selections of Red and Yellow Bourbon. The sisters have gained a reputation for their pursuit of excellence through experimentation, utilizing both traditional natural and pulped natural processing methods alongside more contemporary techniques. Drying is frequently conducted on raised African beds to ensure optimal airflow and consistency, a practice that has contributed to the farm's reputation for producing clean, high-scoring lots.

Fazenda Irmãs Pereira operates under the Carmo Coffee banner, a collective that manages a large processing station used by the estate and its related farms, such as Santuario Sul and Ama Estate. This infrastructure allows for rigorous quality control and the implementation of innovative processing protocols. The farm's dedication to quality has been validated by consistent recognition in the specialty coffee industry, including high placements in prestigious competitions like the Cup of Excellence, where their lots have achieved scores exceeding 88 points.

For the roaster and the consumer, the name Fazenda Irmãs Pereira has become synonymous with the classic, high-quality profile of the Mantiqueira de Minas region. Their coffees are frequently noted for rich, approachable flavor profiles featuring notes of milk chocolate, hazelnut, apricot, and a syrupy body. The farm's ability to maintain these standards while scaling their operations and experimenting with new varieties has made them a staple for specialty roasters globally.

The story of Fazenda Irmãs Pereira stands as a testament to the evolution of Brazilian specialty coffee. By transitioning from a traditional commodity-focused model to a quality-driven, innovation-forward estate, the Pereira sisters have secured the farm's legacy. Their ongoing focus on 'seeking innovation' while maintaining the integrity of their family-run operation ensures that the estate remains a significant contributor to the global specialty coffee market.