EL SALVADOR Finca Villa Espana Geisha
Description
Processing: Washed; SCA Score: 87 pts
CUP PROFILE: dark brown caramel, dark chocolate, jasmin, blackberry, butter, tomato
Jorge, Alfredo, and Víctor Mena are the sixth generation of coffee growers in their family, and they are responsible for managing Villa España farm. The three brothers are based in the coffee-growing municipality of Concepción de Ataco. They had excellent references from which to learn about coffee cultivation—their great-great-grandparents. The family’s coffee mills once operated with a steam-powered dry mill, where coffee was dried, processed, and agitated.
The Mena family has always invested in changes and improvements to their farms. Today, Jorge, 32, oversees the administrative and commercial processes of the farms. He manages personnel, handles marketing for the family’s coffee shops in the U.S., and coordinates the logistical, legal, and administrative aspects of all exports, including those to Europe. Alfredo, 31, is in charge of the farms and all aspects of coffee production. He coordinates fieldwork—from nurseries, planting, and fertilization to harvesting. Alfredo plans all farm operations to ensure good coffee yield and quality, and he collaborates with other producers in the region to exchange knowledge and best practices. Víctor, 29, is responsible for preparing budgets and prioritizing investments for both the farms and the coffee mill.
His analyses support decision-making that adds value across different areas of the supply chain, from farm operations to profitability and marketing, thereby improving the company’s productivity. The history of the farm dates back to the late 1800s, when José Manuel Ariz emigrated from Galicia, Spain, and began his journey in the Americas—first settling in Guatemala and later in El Salvador, where he started growing coffee. Villa España was one of the first coffee farms in the area and had its own coffee mill powered by steam machinery. This mill ceased operations around 1970, when processing was moved to a different location with better operating conditions, thanks to abundant water and strategic positioning.
Over the years, the farm has evolved, experiencing ups and downs in production volume. However, actions have been taken to ensure sustainable and diversified coffee production. Today, there is a “garden of varieties” that serves as a pilot project, allowing the identification and selection of coffee varieties suitable for cultivation on the farm. A planned planting strategy has also been implemented to replace the oldest and most affected coffee plantations with new varieties already acclimated to the area. The farm’s maximum altitude is 1,450 meters above sea level, and the climate does not exceed 25°C.
Beyond agriculture, the farm has high potential for tourism, as it is located in one of the most picturesque towns in the country—Ataco. Villa España, managed by Víctor, Alfredo, and Jorge Mena, has become the family’s flagship farm, producing specialty coffees under optimal conditions for high-quality coffee cultivation.