Astrid Medina / Colombia

Origin: Colombia
Producer: Astrid Medina
Farm: Buena Vista
Region: Tolima > Planadas
Varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo, Pink Bourbon
Processing: Washed
Altitude: 1,900 m a.s.l.
Harvest: 2025

This is the new crop from Astrid Medina, whose coffee we released until early July.

This lot is a mix of several varieties, yet still carries her signature flavor profile. It has bright fruit notes that gently unfold in the mouth, melting softly into the body and lingering pleasantly in the finish.

Compared to the previous lot, the fruit character here feels more restrained. Gentle, bright notes of tangerine and baked apple gradually expand across the palate, accompanied by green tea and matcha-like nuances that evoke a sense of calm and comfort.

Astrid Medina runs her farm together with her husband, Raul Antonio Duran, in the village of San Miguel, Planadas, Tolima, at an elevation of 1,816m.

We first visited her in 2016 and began purchasing her coffee in 2017. Due to various circumstances, we were unable to buy her coffee for a while, but in 2024 we were finally able to reconnect and purchase from her again. In 2025, we were able to visit Buena Vista once more.

The first time we tasted her coffee, we were amazed to find that Colombian coffee could be so fruity, with such bright, high-quality acidity. While such coffees are not unusual now, it was a unique and special experience for us at the time.

Established in 2005, Buena Vista spans 15 hectares and grows a wide range of varieties including Caturra, Colombia, Castillo, Geisha, Pink Bourbon, Tabi, and Papayo. The farm also has its own nursery where experimental plantings are carried out.

In 2006, after the tragic loss of her father, Astrid inherited 3.5 hectares of the farm. She gradually bought the land owned by her siblings, eventually acquiring the full 15 hectares. Today, 10 hectares are dedicated to coffee cultivation.

The farm is equipped with its own mill, a parabolic dryer with large drying beds, and housing for pickers during harvest season.

At Buena Vista, washed coffee is produced with meticulous care. Ripe cherries are delivered to the sorting table, where only the highest quality are selected. The chosen cherries are rested for 24 hours before pulping, then dry-fermented in tanks for a further 24 hours. After three washes and a float separation, they are moved to elevated drying beds. Depending on the weather, drying takes 15–20 days.

The farm has two harvest seasons each year: April–June and October–December. Astrid and Raul are committed to building a sustainable business model and paying fair wages to their workers.

Pickers often face low wages, as is common across Colombia, and Buena Vista is no exception. Retaining skilled workers and helping them understand the tasks needed to maintain quality is challenging but essential.

Some pickers, driven by immediate pay, may leave for another farm without notice. If enough workers are not available, cherries cannot be harvested at the optimal time, reducing quality. Astrid and Raul work hard to build mutual understanding and trust with their team to prevent such issues.

They believe that from harvest to processing, a single mistake can compromise quality. Producing great coffee requires a shared vision and constant communication among everyone involved.

Since winning the Cup of Excellence, they have earned national and international recognition, but still reinvest most of their coffee income into farm equipment and improving living conditions for their workers.

What was once empty land 20 years ago is now equipped with facilities unmatched in the region — all created to support the people who make coffee production possible.

Message from Astrid Medina to coffee lovers in Japan:
“The story of Finca Buena Vista is one of unwavering passion, resilience, and dedication to quality. Choosing our coffee means not only enjoying the distinctive flavors of Colombia, but also supporting sustainable and innovative coffee cultivation. Since the year I won the Cup of Excellence, Fairfield has been my main export partner, and I am proud of this ongoing relationship. From the moment the coffee blossoms bloom to the cup on your table, I invite you to be part of our journey. I am deeply grateful for the role you play in our story.”