In the vast plains of the Municipality of Berruecos, where the scent of earth and coffee intertwines with the songs of birds, Álvaro Santacruz grew up. From a young age, Álvaro absorbed his parents’ love for agriculture and respect for the environment, as they dedicated their lives to working the land. These lessons of his childhood were etched into his heart, though fate had a different plan for him.At 17, Álvaro moved to San Francisco, California, to live with his maternal grandmother. Adapting to his new home was a challenge, but his love for the land never faded. In 1992, after two decades in the United States, he became an American citizen, though his identity remained deeply rooted in Colombian soil. In 2010, Álvaro decided to reconnect with his roots by acquiring a farm named La Toma in Nariño, Colombia. The farm became a dream come true when he planted two hectares of Castillo variety coffee, following the recommendations of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. With care, he identified each coffee lot and age, while the Nariño Departmental Coffee Growers Committee provided assistance with cultivation.Álvaro was determined to make La Toma a model of sustainability. He implemented soil conservation practices and began producing organic fertilizer using manure and coffee pulp. His goal was clear: to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and cultivate coffee in an environmentally friendly and clean manner.Today, La Toma not only produces high-quality coffee but also reflects Álvaro’s commitment to sustainability and respect for nature. With each cup of coffee, his vision of a greener future and a lasting family legacy endures, bridging the past with the present in a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.
Code
ZHV
Origin
Colombia
Variety
Castillo
Processing Method
Washed/Fermented
Region
Nariño