Luiz Paulo Dias Pereira

Luiz Paulo Dias Pereira Filho is a fourth-generation coffee producer deeply embedded in the history and culture of Carmo de Minas, Brazil. As the eldest of four brothers, he carries forward a family legacy that began in 1967 when his father, Isidro Pereira, acquired Fazenda IP. Luiz Paulo joined his father in managing the property in 1972, eventually spearheading expansion efforts and investing in modern processing technology, such as his first pulping machine, to transition the family business toward specialty coffee production. This commitment to quality has made him a defining figure in the Brazilian coffee landscape.

In 2007, recognizing that the unique terroir of Carmo de Minas was undervalued in the global market, Luiz Paulo co-founded Carmo Coffees with his cousin, Jacques Pereira Carneiro. This venture serves as both an exporting company and a quality-development hub, providing agronomic and sensory support to over 2,000 small- and mid-sized farmers in the region. By fostering a community-focused approach, Carmo Coffees has been instrumental in establishing a reputation for high-end, microlot-quality Brazilian coffee, a segment that was previously underdeveloped in the local industry.

Beyond his work with regional producers, Luiz Paulo is the driving force behind Fazenda Santuário Sul, a project focused on the 'New Brazil' coffee movement. This farm serves as a laboratory for innovation, where he experiments with a wide array of non-traditional varieties, including Sudan Rume, SL28, Starmaya, Geisha, and Pacamara. The farm is noted for its rigorous approach to processing, frequently utilizing natural and anaerobic fermentation techniques to push the boundaries of flavor profiles typically associated with Brazilian coffee.

Luiz Paulo’s influence extends to the global stage, where he has been formally recognized for his contributions to the industry. In late 2025, the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) honored him as one of six 'Legends of Excellence,' a title celebrating producers who not only cultivate exceptional coffee but also champion sustainability and global market positioning. His farms, including Fazenda IP and Santuário Sul, have maintained a consistent track record of success in the Cup of Excellence competitions, further cementing his status as a leader in the specialty sector.

His operational philosophy emphasizes the synergy between traditional farming wisdom and modern scientific inquiry. By insisting on personally harvesting and testing new varieties, he ensures that the output from his farms meets the highest standards of the avant-garde market. This hands-on leadership style has allowed him to bridge the gap between traditional Brazilian production and the demands of international specialty roasters who seek distinct, fruit-forward, and complex flavor profiles.

Today, Luiz Paulo stands as a 'leviathan' of the Brazilian specialty coffee industry. His work has fundamentally changed how the global market perceives coffee from Carmo de Minas, transforming it from a bulk-commodity region into a source of highly sought-after, terroir-driven microlots. Through his dual focus on his own farms and the broader producer network under Carmo Coffees, he continues to influence the future of coffee production, prioritizing quality, innovation, and the economic viability of the farming communities he supports.