Gesha Village

Gesha Village Coffee Estate is a prominent coffee farm located in the Bench Maji zone of western Ethiopia, situated near the South Sudanese border. The project was initiated in 2007 by founders Rachel Samuel and Adam Overton, who sought to document and cultivate native coffee species found in the nearby Gori Gesha Forest. After years of research and preparation, the estate was formally established in 2011 on a high-altitude plateau ranging from 1,900 to 2,100 meters above sea level. The farm was developed with the expert partnership of coffee consultant Willem Boot, aiming to create a world-class production site that honors the heritage of the Gesha variety.

The estate spans 471 hectares and is divided into eight distinct blocks, housing over 700,000 coffee trees and 30,000 native shade trees. The founders' mission was to identify and propagate coffee varieties that were genetically similar to the original Gesha plants discovered in the surrounding wild forests. By focusing on these specific heirloom selections, the farm has become a focal point for those interested in the genetic history and sensory potential of the Gesha variety, which gained international fame after its journey through Tanzania, Costa Rica, and Panama.

Operational excellence at Gesha Village is defined by a commitment to meticulous agricultural and processing standards. The farm employs rigorous cupping protocols in their Addis Ababa laboratory, following Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards to evaluate every lot. This systematic approach allows the estate to categorize its production into specific labels, such as their 'Rarities'—which represent the top 10 percent of their harvest—and their 'Single-Terroir' offerings. This level of traceability and quality control has made the estate a frequent source for competition-grade coffee used by world-class baristas.

Processing at the estate is treated as an art form, with the team experimenting with various methods, including natural and anaerobic techniques, to highlight the complex floral and fruity characteristics inherent in their coffee. By controlling every step from harvest to final export, the producers ensure that the unique terroir of the Bench Maji region is preserved in the cup. This dedication to quality has earned the estate a reputation as a 'bucket list' producer among specialty roasters globally.

Beyond its production output, Gesha Village serves as a bridge between the wild, ancestral origins of the Gesha variety and the modern specialty coffee market. The estate’s existence provides a rare opportunity for the industry to experience Gesha coffee grown in its native Ethiopian environment, rather than the varieties that were exported and adapted in Central America. This has provided a new perspective on the flavor profiles associated with the variety, emphasizing the importance of origin and environmental conditions in coffee quality.

The estate’s influence extends to the broader coffee community through initiatives like the 'Pride of Gesha' auction, which showcases their most exceptional lots to international buyers. Through these platforms, the farm continues to set industry standards for transparency and quality. Today, Gesha Village stands as a testament to the potential of combining historical research with modern agricultural science, remaining a central figure in the ongoing evolution of high-end specialty coffee.