Finca Alasitas

Finca Las Alasitas is a picturesque, high-altitude farm situated in the Bolinda colony, approximately 10 kilometers from the town of Caranavi in the La Paz department of Bolivia. The farm is nestled in a lush, steep mountain valley at an elevation of 1,600 to 1,650 meters above sea level, a region historically known as 'Bolivia Linda' or 'Beautiful Bolivia.' This location, positioned at the edge of the Amazon jungle, provides a unique microclimate that the Rodriguez family has leveraged to produce exceptional specialty coffee.

The farm is owned and operated by the Rodriguez family, led by patriarch Pedro Rodriguez, who entered the coffee industry in 1986 after leaving a career in accounting. Alongside his children, Daniela and Pedro Pablo, Pedro founded Agricafe, an organization dedicated to revitalizing the Bolivian coffee sector. The family’s work at Las Alasitas is central to their broader mission of building a sustainable market for Bolivian specialty coffee, which includes supporting local producers through training and infrastructure.

Finca Las Alasitas is recognized for its commitment to agricultural innovation and diversity. The farm has been a testing ground for various coffee varieties in Bolivia, including Caturra, Geisha, Java, SL, and Batian. The family has invested heavily in nursery programs to ensure the health and quality of their plants, often seeking international advice to adapt to local conditions in the absence of a national coffee federation.

Management practices at the farm are highly technical and focused on long-term productivity. For instance, the team has implemented strategic farm reorganization, such as removing every third line of coffee trees to increase light penetration and airflow. This practice encourages new growth and facilitates easier harvesting, demonstrating the family's hands-on approach to optimizing their land for specialty-grade output.

Processing methods at Las Alasitas are equally precise, with the farm known for producing high-quality washed lots. Documented processes include extended fermentation periods, such as 42-hour ferments for Caturra and 48-hour ferments for Geisha, which contribute to the distinct flavor profiles—often characterized by notes of stone fruit, citrus, florals, and toffee—that have made the farm's output highly sought after by international roasters.

Beyond its own production, Las Alasitas serves as a flagship for the Rodriguez family's influence on the wider Bolivian coffee industry. Through Agricafe, the family has helped hundreds of local farmers realize the potential of their own crops. The farm stands as a testament to the family's transition from sourcing coffee from small producers to becoming primary producers themselves, a shift necessitated by declining production levels in the region over the past decade.

Today, Finca Las Alasitas remains a cornerstone of the Rodriguez family's portfolio of 12 farms. It continues to be a site of experimentation and quality control, reflecting the family's ongoing dedication to sustainability and the future of Bolivian coffee. For roasters and consumers, the tag represents a commitment to high-altitude, meticulously processed coffee that highlights the unique terroir of the Caranavi region.