|
Overview
Fazenda Sant’Ana is located 4 km from the town of Olímpio Noronha in
southern Minas Gerais. Its buildings are nestled in a valley between mountains
and coffee fields at altitudes ranging between 1,090 and 1,280 meters.
With a distinguished 200-year history, Fazenda Sant’Ana has earned a
national reputation not only for the quality of its fine coffees but also
for the excellence of its dairy herd.
The farm is part of the inheritance left by patriarchs Virgílio Alves
Pereira (“Papai Barão” to those who knew him well) and Dona Júlia de Castro
Pereira, both dearly remembered, to their son Gabriel Dias Pereira, also
dearly remembered, and his wife Maria Aparecida Pereira.
The couple’s tireless dedication turned the farm into a model coffee
plantation known throughout Brazil. Their commitment was constantly reflected
in the excellence of the coffee produced and in the trademark they earned
for managing the property with respect for nature. Their heirs, Ângela Aparecida
Pereira Barletta and Paulo Sérgio Noronha Barletta, have understood how
to honor and build upon their heritage.
An electrical engineer retired from Light São Paulo, a company engaged
in generating and distributing electric power, Paulo Sérgio has returned
to the region where he grew up and today is involved in local politics as
mayor of Olímpio Noronha Municipality. In addition to his political duties,
Paulo Sérgio devotes his time to growing high-quality coffee. His second-place
win in the 2009 “Cup of Excellence” confirms that he is upholding the family
tradition.
Coffee Processing System
All harvesting is done by hand, with the cherries collected on cloths.
The picked coffee is washed and pulped the same day. The resulting beans
are then taken to the patios to undergo the complete drying process. Still
with their parchment skins, they are then moved to special silos where they
are held for 60 days to rest, at which time they are processed.
Part of the coffee lot prepared for the competition was picked from fields
at an altitude of 1,100 meters, while the other part came from fields at
1,208 meters totally surrounded by forest.
Commitment to Quality
With the goal of maintaining its standard of quality in the coffees it
produces without any reduction in productivity, Fazenda Sant’Ana takes advantage
of the highly expert technical assistance provided by the Rio Verde Valle
Regional Coffee Producers Cooperative (COCARIVE), in close partnership with
Minas Gerais Extension Services (EMATER-MG).
|