Sitio Maranhão - Brazil

Sítio Maranhão was acquired around 35 years ago by José Messias’s father, who was the first member of the family to begin farming coffee. The farm was small – only 13 hectares in total – but the potential for quality was huge. The farm lies above 1,100 meters and boasts rolling hillside upon which the coffee plantations are situated. Even though the family is only two generations in (three, counting José’s son, who’s learning the ropes), they’ve made a reputation for the farm and are producing lots of Icatu and Catuaí of exceptional quality.

José currently manages all activities on the farm and dedicates all his time and effort to ensuring the best care and handling is given to every tree. He also takes stringent measures with harvest and post harvest procedures to ensure the farm’s promise for quality is carried through.

These days José also relies on his son, Clayton, to work alongside him. He is passing on the knowledge that he gained from his own father – an assurance that the third and hopefully fourth and fifth generation will continue farming this beautiful countryside.

Sítio Maranhão’s only economic activity is coffee production, so there is every reason to believe that the family WILL continue producing well into the future. Even though the family are categorised as ‘small producers’ and use traditional, family farming methods, they continue to be dedicated to high quality and have received great feedback due to their responsible farming practices and high level of administrative organisation.