Kestrel Coffee Roasters

Kestrel Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee company headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont, established in 2017. The business was founded by Charlotte and Johnny Steverson, a husband-and-wife team with deep roots in the hospitality industry. Johnny, a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, previously served as the director of coffee at the renowned Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, New York, while Charlotte worked as a dining room captain at the same establishment. Following their time at Blue Hill, the couple transitioned into the coffee industry, with Johnny initially operating a roasting business in upstate New York before the pair relocated to Vermont to launch their own venture.

The company operates as a specialty micro-roastery, emphasizing small-batch production to maintain tight control over roast profiles and ensure product freshness. Their roasting facility and primary operations are located on Community Drive in South Burlington. Since its inception, the company has expanded its physical footprint to include multiple café locations, including a presence at the Leahy Burlington International Airport, which opened in October 2025, and a café on Maple Street in Burlington.

Kestrel’s sourcing philosophy centers on the procurement of ethically sourced, single-origin coffees from small farms globally. The company prioritizes seasonality, frequently rotating its offerings to reflect the harvest cycles of different regions. Their current and past selections have included micro-lots from countries such as Peru and Papua New Guinea, with flavor profiles ranging from fruit-forward notes like passion fruit and cherry to more traditional molasses and brown sugar characteristics.

Beyond its retail café operations, Kestrel maintains a significant wholesale division. The company provides coffee programs for a variety of partners, including grocers, restaurants, and corporate offices. Their wholesale model is built on providing consistent, high-quality coffee alongside operational support, such as staff training, equipment dial-in assistance, and menu development. This service-oriented approach has made them a notable provider for regional businesses seeking to elevate their in-office coffee offerings.

The company is structured as a domestic limited-liability company under Vermont law, having filed its initial registration in November 2017. It remains an active, locally-focused entity that balances its production-heavy roasting operations with a commitment to hospitality. By maintaining a direct connection between the roastery and the consumer, the Steversons have positioned Kestrel as a staple of the Vermont specialty coffee scene.

Ultimately, Kestrel Coffee Roasters is defined by its dual focus on technical roasting precision and community-based service. By leveraging their background in high-end culinary environments, the founders have sought to bring a level of professional hospitality to the specialty coffee market. Their ongoing growth, from a single roastery to a multi-location operation, reflects a sustained demand for their approach to transparent sourcing and consistent, approachable coffee.