Brazil – Fazenda Matão – Mococa (direct trade)

Brazil – Fazenda Matão – Mococa

Owner: Marco A. Guardabaxo
Region: Mococa
Founded: 1960s
Altitude: 790 – 940 m.a.s.l
Harvest Season: April – August
Total area: 225 ha. of which 165 ha. are used for coffee production and 59 ha. are a nature reserve
Variety: Mundo Novo
Processing method: Pulped Natural, Natural
Other crops: Eucalyptus
Number of families on the farm: 2

Location and growing conditions

Fazenda Matão is located in the Mococa (Mogiana) region in the north of the Brazilian state of São Paulo. The farm sits in the hills of Mococa, at elevations between 790 and 940 meters above sea level. This location offers not only impressive views of the hilly landscape but also ideal conditions for growing several high-quality Arabica varieties.
Coffee is grown primarily on the flat areas of the property, while eucalyptus plantations cover the slopes. Fazenda Matão is close to the sister farms Fazenda Pinheiro and Fazenda São Domingos and is an important part of Ocafi's operations in this coffee-growing region.

Family history and management

The farm is part of the family estate of Marco Antonio Guardabaxo. Fazenda Matão has a long history of high-quality coffee cultivation dating back to the 1960s. Since Marco took over the farm in the early 2000s, he has gradually renovated and expanded the estate.
Together with farm manager Marciano de Jesus, who lives on the farm with his family, Marco is continually working to improve quality and sustainability. Their collaboration with other Ocafi farms in the area encourages knowledge sharing and ongoing process optimization.
The name Matão, literally “green thicket,” refers to the lush vegetation covering the fertile land. The farm is a striking green gem in the landscape of Mococa.

Arabica varieties and processing

Seven varieties of Arabica coffee grow at Fazenda Matão: Mundo Novo, Acaiá, Catucaí, Catuaí, Rubi, Arara, and Obatã. They are processed using either the Pulped Natural or Natural method, depending on the desired flavor profile.
A modern drip irrigation system ensures an even water supply and reduces waste while promoting uniform ripening of the coffee cherries.
The harvest season runs from April to August. The lower-lying plots are harvested first, followed by the higher ones. Young trees (up to six years old or 1.5 meters tall) are hand-picked. Older trees are harvested mechanically and selectively in a two-phase process.

The farm has 18,000 m² of concrete drying patios where the harvested cherries dry for 10 to 20 days. The lots are then divided among eight drying machines to reach the ideal moisture content. The coffee is then stored in eight wooden silos. After resting for four to six weeks, the coffee is transferred to a processing station (dry mill) for further processing.

Sustainable coffee cultivation and community

Sustainability is at the heart of Fazenda Matão's operations. Marco and Marciano are committed to soil conservation, reforestation, and biodiversity. Native tree species such as Embaúva, Aroeira Vermelha, and Pau Porva grow on the property and contribute to a healthy ecosystem.
Social responsibility is also essential. About 40 seasonal workers receive fair wages and work in safe conditions. Together with management, they contribute to ongoing process improvements.
Thanks to the proximity of Fazenda São Domingos, Marciano can also use homemade biofuel, further reducing the farm's environmental footprint.

For more information, see also: https://ocafi.com/our-fazendas/fazenda-matao