BRAZIL | SERRA DAS TRES BARRAS | YELLOW BOURBON | PULPED NATURAL | ESPRESSO

Region: Carmo de Minas, Minas Gerais 

Relationship: Since 2011

Altitude: 1100-1450 masl 

The Junqueira family has cultivated coffee at Serra das Tres Barras for eight generations. Leading the way is Jose Wagner Ribeiro Junqueira, with his wife, Margarida, and his sons Kleber, Ralph, and Herbert. Their farm sits at an elevation of 1,100 to 1,450 meters above sea level, and they focus on producing high-quality micro-lots. Serra das Tres Barras stands out from other Brazilian farms due to its unique approach. In Brazil, labour costs are high, making it challenging for large farms to hire enough workers for harvesting. Consequently, many farms rely on machines for the task. However, at Serra das Tres Barras, workers are employed to meticulously hand-pick the cherries. In 2011, Nolan, the founder of Proud Mary, first visited Jose Wagner. Since then, Proud Mary has formed a lasting partnership with him. Jose's coffee transformed Nolan's perception of Brazilian coffee, and in 2012, he purchased the entire Cup of Excellence #4, Jose's coffee, and sold it as the house espresso to spread the message of how unique Brazilian coffees can be. Year after year, Jose's coffee continues to impress, and this year is no exception.