Espresso - Brésil - Rio Brilhante Aramosa

Origin: Brazil

Region: Coromandel - Pantano - Minas Gerais

Process: Natural

Varieties: Aramosa

Producer:  Inácio, Erika and Fernando Urban

Farm: Fazenda Rio Brilhante

Altitude: 900m - 1150m

Tasting notes: Praline, cherries, milk chocolate, floral

Fazenda Rio Brilhante is located in a micro-region called Pântano, in the state of Minas Gerais.

Pântano is known for its well-defined seasons, steady seasonal rainfall, and generally favorable climate for coffee production. In practical terms, these conditions are ideal for producing natural coffees, which account for an average of 80% of the farm's production.

The harvest is done primarily mechanically using a colheitadeira (harvester)—specialized machines for this task. Careful calibration of this equipment determines the quality and ripeness at which the coffee cherries should be harvested, resulting in more uniform and consistent lots.

After picking, the cherries go through a station that sorts them by density—the densest, highest-quality cherries are separated to produce natural coffees that receive more detailed fermentation and drying.

The farm has more than 1,600 hectares of coffee planted and produces an average of 130,000 bags of coffee per harvest.

The 1,600 hectares are divided into 45 different sections, each with its own terroir and microclimate. The 45 sections are separated by large trees such as grevillea and mahogany. These trees act as natural dividers between the coffee sections and the undisturbed areas, preserving the farm's biodiversity.

By law, every rural property must maintain an area covered with native vegetation as a forest reserve. In the Cerrado Mineiro region, this area amounts to 20% of the property. In addition, these trees shelter the coffee plants from the frequent winds in the very flat micro-region of Pântano.

Rio Brilhante is run by one of the migrant families who left southern Brazil in search of new opportunities.

Inácio Urban, the founder, was born in Rio Grande do Sul, the country's southernmost state, and is of German descent. After arriving in Brazil, Inácio's family worked in agricultural food production, but on a much smaller scale. In the 1980s, Inácio saw a huge opportunity in the Cerrado Mineiro region.

At the time, land in this region was considered undesirable and was therefore very cheap. To get started, Inácio planted 20 hectares of coffee, as he says, "to learn what it's like to grow coffee."

Over the past 40 years, he has continued to buy more land and plant more coffee, eventually expanding the farm to its impressive current size.

In 2006, Inácio's children, Erika Urban and Fernando Urban, joined their father in managing the farm. The arrival of the family's second generation represents continuity in the work and the opportunity for innovation. Noé, Inácio's son-in-law, joined the family and the farm a few years later.

In 2017, Fazenda Rio Brilhante placed second in the Imaflora - Rainforest Alliance competition and third in the regional Cerrado Mineiro competition.

In 2020, the farm won first place in the Ethics and Traceability Award, given to farms for their commitment to and development of programs for people, environmental preservation, and the promotion of responsible agribusiness.

In addition, the farm is UTZ, Rainforest Alliance, and 4C certified.