Fazenda do Salto Visit: A Journey from Farm to Cup at Voyager Coffee

This June, we had the pleasure of welcoming coffee producer Otavio Reis from Fazenda do Salto to our roastery in Buckfastleigh, Devon. Otavio was accompanied by our partners at Volcafe, making a stop at our roastery to share his insights and stories on their way to the World of Coffee Festival in Copenhagen. His visit was a special opportunity for us at Voyager Coffee to connect directly with one of the key producers behind our beloved Native/Coast to Coast blend. Native offers a rounded flavour profile with notes of praline, caramel, and chocolate. It has a smooth body with low acidity that makes it a favourite among our customers. Otavio’s dedication to producing high-quality coffee has been instrumental in shaping the flavour profile of this blend, making his visit even more special to us.

The Farm: Fazenda do Salto

Fazenda do Salto can be found in the Sul de Minas region within the state of Minas Gerais. Known for its rolling mountains and rich soils, Minas Gerais grows the most amount of coffee in Brazil. Its production alone is equivalent to that of several countries, and it has more than 700,000 hectares of coffee. Fazenda do Salto is owned and run by father and son Juliano and Otávio Reis, they have deep roots in coffee farming since the 70’s when the family began their history with coffee in this region. The farm itself spans over 900 hectares of coffee-producing land, nestled within a larger 1,400-hectare estate. The region’s unique terroir, with its stable rainfall, mild climate, and well-defined seasons, creates the perfect conditions for producing high-quality coffee. It is a place where the art of coffee cultivation has been passed down through generations, and where tradition meets innovation in every cup.

Insights from Otavio’s Visit

During his visit, Otavio shared the complexities and joys of managing a large-scale coffee farm. Each day, he drives from his home in Varginha to the farm, working closely with his father to oversee every aspect of production. The farm is a true family affair, with three generations of the Reis family involved in its management. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in the coffee they produce, with over 3,500,000 coffee plants and multiple varietals. When it comes to planting new coffee their focus is always on both quality and production.

Beyond coffee, Otavio also mentioned his family’s passion for horses. The farm, named “Salto” (Portuguese for “jump”), reflects their deep connection to equestrian pursuits, with over 100 “Mangalarga Marchador” horses bred and lovingly kept on the farm. Otavio enjoys hosting barbeques and spending time with his family when he is not immersed in coffee production and management.

One of the most striking aspects of Fazenda do Salto is its commitment to sustainability. The farm maintains more than the required natural reserve areas to preserve the surrounding fauna and flora. Otavio and Juliano have also implemented a range of environmentally-friendly practices on the farm. Including using renewable wood and coffee husks to power their rotative dryers and generating 80% of the farm’s electricity from solar panels. They place a strong emphasis on caring for the people who work on the farm, many of whom, like the Reis family, have grown up on the property and have a deep connection to the land. Otavio’s dedication to both the environment and the community is a testament to the values that guide Fazenda do Salto. He spoke passionately about finding solutions that align with both production needs and environmental care—a balance that is crucial in today’s coffee industry.

Otavio also highlighted the unique challenges of large-scale coffee farming in Brazil. Unlike many other coffee-growing regions where hand-picking is the norm, the sheer size of Brazilian farms necessitates the use of mechanical harvesters. This approach is both a blessing and a challenge; while it allows for the efficient harvesting of coffee cherries, it also means that some unripe cherries might be picked alongside the ripe ones. However, the farm has implemented meticulous post-harvest processes, including hand-sorting and screening, to ensure only the best cherries make it into the final product. Fazenda do Salto has perfected this balance, using their extensive resources to process and prepare the coffee in a way that preserves its flavour and quality. The farm’s ability to process its coffee—from fermentation to drying—on-site is a testament to Brazil’s advanced coffee infrastructure. This level of control over the production process is a key factor in the high quality of Brazilian coffee.

We learnt about one of the most impressive aspects of Brazilian coffee production is the economic model. Volcafe’s Marcelo, who is in charge of the speciality program in Brazil, explained that Brazilian coffee farmers hold significant power in the supply chain. With a balanced economy that allows them to retain a larger share of the FOB (Free on Board) price than farmers in other countries. This economic strength gives Brazilian farmers a degree of financial stability that is rare in the coffee industry, enabling them to invest in the long-term sustainability of their farms.

Bridging the Gap: From Brazil to Buckfastleigh

For us at Voyager Coffee, hosting Otavio was a rare and meaningful experience. There is something incredibly special about having the producer of our coffee visit us, see his beans being carefully roasted, and understand the journey from farm to cup. It has reinforced our commitment to transparency and deepened our connection to the origin of our coffee.

Inspired by Otavio’s visit, we are in the stages of planning an origin trip to Brazil. Our head roaster, Gabe, will be heading to Minas Gerais in September 2024 to visit Fazenda do Salto and other farms in the region. This trip is an opportunity for us to see first hand the processes and practices that go into producing the coffee we love. By closing the gap between producer and roaster, we aim to bring our customers even closer to the stories and people behind every cup.

We hope that with each sip, you feel a connection to the rich history, the land, and the people of Fazenda do Salto. Stay tuned as we continue our journey, both here in Devon and in Brazil, to bring you closer to the origins of your coffee.

Find our Native blend here: Native Blend