Nayarit Gerardo Vazquez Finca Kalid

The story of Gerardo Vázquez Rangel is a fascinating tale of dedication, continuous learning, and evolution in the coffee industry. In his early childhood, he played in the streets of Agrícola Oriental, the neighborhood that would give its name to Café Oriental, founded by his grandfather Facundo and his great-uncle Mauro. The family home, which also housed the roasting plant, became his workshop and his first introduction to the coffee trade.

However, Gerardo’s curiosity extended beyond coffee. During his academic training, he explored fields as varied as electronics, programming, business administration, and food engineering. Before immersing himself fully in the coffee industry, Gerardo gained experience managing an automotive company and creating an advertising agency. These disciplines, though seemingly far removed from the world of coffee, would enrich his unique vision of coffee production.

Along the way, Gerardo had the opportunity to learn from James Kosalos, an iconic coffee figure in the Nayarit region, and Ted R. Lingle, author of "The Coffee Cupper's Handbook" and director of the SCAA at the time. These influences guided him as he learned the art of cupping and post-harvest processing, eventually leading him to become one of the first Q Graders in the country.

Today, Gerardo owns Finca Kalid, where he has applied his knowledge and skills to create two unique coffee production processes: Lavado Punto Cero and Natural Cider. These methods focus on minimizing stress on the coffee bean and monitoring its fermentation, using native regional strains and avoiding external additives.

With a desire to pay tribute to the region’s rich cultural traditions and foster a sense of community among producers, Gerardo plans to rename the fourteen hectares of Finca Kalid in honor of the Indigenous Cora and Huichol cultures. This step aligns with his vision of helping more producers transition to specialty coffee production by facilitating their access to better prices.

Gerardo’s story is a vivid example of how passion, innovation, and a unique vision can come together to produce exceptional-quality coffee. His love of hands-on work, inherited from his grandfather, who taught him to repair roasters and other machines, is expressed today in his hobby of building coffee roasters. Gerardo remains a tireless innovator and a true coffee artisan.

• State: Nayarit
• Region: Xalisco, Nayarit
• Altitude: 1,300 meters above sea level
• Variety(ies): Typica, Mundo Novo, Oro Azteca.
• Process: Washed 
• Roasted by: Tostadora de Cafés Extraordinarios