Colombia - Alexander Vargas
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Alexander Vargas began working with coffee at 15, following in his family's footsteps.
By the time he was 20, he decided to focus on specialty coffee production.
Since then, he has spent more than 20 years refining his skills and trying out different coffee varieties and processing methods.
At La Piragua farm, Alexander uses advanced techniques, such as anaerobic processing, with coffee varieties like pink bourbon and geisha, and he has cultivated award-winning coffees that have earned him multiple National Cup of Excellence nominations.
To maintain high quality, Alexander built a coffee lab on his farm where he cups and classifies his coffees. His dedication extends beyond coffee production, as he has diversified his crops by growing dragon fruit to maintain year-round farm productivity. For Alexander, coffee farming is more than a profession—it’s a passion. His story is one of persistence, innovation, and deep respect for the coffee tradition, all of which have elevated his farm to success.
Throughout his career, Alexander has sought to honour his family's legacy while driving innovation in the coffee industry. His continuous experimentation with new processing methods and varieties shows his commitment to keeping La Piragua farm competitive in a global market. His careful selection of varieties, such as geishas and pink bourbons, highlights his ambition to produce top-tier coffee that stands out for its quality and flavour.
Alexander’s dedication to the craft is mirrored in his community involvement. He believes in sharing knowledge and has helped mentor younger coffee farmers, ensuring the next generation of producers continues the tradition of excellence. His long-term vision for his farm is to build a legacy that not only elevates the quality of his coffee but also advances the coffee industry as a whole.
His farm is a symbol of hard work, passion, and the constant pursuit of perfection in every cup of coffee it produces. We are all blessed to be a part of this journey.
You can check out Alexander's farm, Finca la Piragua, on Instagram @la_piragua_coffee