Overview

Owners of Fazenda Monte Verde since February 2006, José Roberto Canato and his family are continually striving to perfect their coffee production. Their mission is to pursue this goal while at the same time building a new reality for the people who work there, especially the children who live on the property.

The Monte Verde coffee fields are located in an ideal geographic area, with spectacular landscapes, an excellent climate, and the right natural resources and structure for producing specialty coffees.

Concern for the environment is paramount. Approximately 150 hectares of native forest are being preserved on the property. It also incumbent on the Monte Verde farmer to protect water sources: all 25 of the mountain springs that come together to form the streams that cut through the land and flow into the Rio Verde basin have been fenced off since 2007 so that the forest along their banks can be restored and preserved.

In fact, there is a complete plan in place for the occupation and use of Fazenda Monte Verde aimed at turning it into an operation that strikes a balance between economic, environmental, and social concerns in its commitment to the values, rules, and principles of sustainability.

The owners’ dreams can be summed up in a few short words: they are striving to create a sustainable environment in which to produce the perfect coffee.

Coffee Processing System

The coffee is hand-picked and collected on cloths. Much of the picking is selective at the beginning of the harvest, with preference given to the fully ripe cherries. Once harvested, the beans are pre-dried on patios covering a total area of 8,000 m² and in four mechanical driers, where the objective is to dry the coffee slowly and evenly.

Commitment to Quality

Aware that they are still taking their first steps toward producing the perfect coffee, José Roberto Canato and his family are engaged in an ongoing process that will never end. They are enthralled by the magic and their passion for coffee.

They could not have achieved what they have without the partnership, technology, and technical support of the Rio Verde Valle Regional Coffee Producers Cooperative (COCARIVE) and the Minas Gerais Extension Services (EMATER), which was fundamental for obtaining certification under the Minas Gerais State Coffee Certification Program, “Certifica Minas.”

Seeking constant improvement in quality, Monte Verde staff receive regular technical training.

As a result, Fazenda Monte Verde has won a number of awards:

MINAS COFFEE QUALITY COMPETITIONS (EMATER-MG)

• 2007 – Finalist, IV Minas Gerais State Coffee Quality Competition, natural category
• 2007 – Finalist, IV Minas Gerais State Coffee Quality Competition, pulped natural category
• 2009 – 3rd place, VI Minas Gerais State Coffee Quality Competition, natural category
• 2009 – 5th place, VI Minas Gerais State Coffee Quality Competition, pulped natural category
• 2009 – Honorable mention for sustainability, VI Minas Gerais State Coffee Quality Competition

ILLY QUALITY AWARD FOR ESPRESSO COFFEE – BRAZIL

• 2007 – Finalist, 17th Quality Award for Espresso Coffee
• 2008 – 10th place, 18th Ernesto Illy Quality Award for Espresso Coffee
• 2009 – Finalist, 19th Ernesto Illy Quality Award for Espresso Coffee