Costa Rica Finca El Refugio

Region: Heredia, Central Valley Altitude: 1200 m.a.s.l. Variety: Villa Sarchi Processing: Natural

UK Arrival: July 2026

Tasting Notes: Complex and fruity, with layers of wild strawberry, plum and black grape. Rich honey sweetness and juicy texture throughout, with a subtle cascara tea finish.

This fruity and syrupy Villa Sarchi is one half of a pair of Costa Rican coffees we have selected from this season's harvest. This lot was processed as a natural and its counterpart from La Luisa was finished as a washed, highlighting the spread of flavours Costa Rican cultivar Villa Sarchi can express. Same country, same cultivar but through careful processing two very different results in the cup. 

Finca El Refugio

Finca El Refugio sits on volcanic slopes in Getsemaní, Heredia. An ideal location to grow Villa Sarchi, with a slightly cooler micro-climate and nutritious soil the coffee cherries take more time to fully ripen, allowing the tree to send more nutrients and sugars to the fruit. In the end this creates an exceptional coffee and Finca El Refugio has even earned Cup of Excellence recognition for its stunning flavours.

Led by Mario Barquero, the farm gets its name “The Refuge” from the gorgeous forests which are home to the myriad of birds and native wildlife. Just 12 hectares in size, Finca El Refugio’s yearly production is only around 240 bags, with an exceptional 80% of those heading to the specialty market. This is possible due to Mario's commitment to sustainability. Organic fertilizers made from coffee pulp help keep the soil fertile and no herbicides are used at all in order to promote greater plant diversity. Mario also takes great care in renewing his coffee trees, with most of them being over 15 years old. He makes sure 5% are replanted each year, helping to ensure his farm will continue producing great crops for decades to come.

The farm is part of CoopeLibertad, a cooperative established to support smallholder producers facing economic and social challenges within the coffee sector. Built on principles of fairness, sustainability and collective opportunity, the cooperative enables farmers (many of whom manage farms averaging just five hectares) to pool resources, improve access to international specialty markets, and negotiate stronger prices. Over the years the cooperative has developed a reputation for both quality and community investment. Alongside coffee farming, many families in the region also work in cattle farming, banana cultivation, and agroforestry. Competition for land use and changing economic opportunities however continue to challenge coffee production, particularly among younger generations.

Villa Sarchi

Villa Sarchi is a distinctly Costa Rican coffee cultivar with a unique history. Like Caturra and Pacas, Villa Sarchi is a natural mutation of Bourbon caused by a single-gene mutation known as “Dwarf/Compactism,” which results in a smaller, more compact plant. First discovered in Costa Rica in the 1950/60s in the province of Alajuela near the town of Sarchi, the variety has since undergone careful pedigree selection to improve quality and consistency. Villa Sarchi is particularly well adapted to high-altitude environments and strong winds, though it remains relatively rare outside Costa Rica.

Natural Processing

For this lot, coffee cherries are selectively handpicked and sorted before processing. Microlots are separated by variety and monitored closely by CoopeLibertad’s agronomic team to ensure quality and traceability. This coffee is naturally processed, meaning the cherries are dried with the fruit still intact around the seed. Drying takes place on raised African beds over approximately three weeks, allowing the beans to absorb fruit sugars and develop a sweet, fruit-forward profile with layered complexity. Moisture levels are carefully monitored throughout the process to avoid over-fermentation and preserve cup quality. Once complete, the coffee travels just nine kilometers from

Produced by Mario Barquero in the Heredia region of the Central Valley, Costa Rica Finca El Refugio showcases the distinct character of the Villa Sarchi varietal. This specific lot undergoes a natural process, a method where the coffee cherry remains intact during drying, often resulting in a heavier body and intensified fruit-forward profiles. Roasted by Steampunk Coffee, this selection highlights a complex interplay of wild strawberry, plum, and black grape, balanced by a rich honey sweetness and a juicy texture. The cup concludes with a subtle cascara tea finish, reflecting the unique influence of the farm's environment. For those exploring the nuances of these flavor profiles, referencing a flavor wheel can be a helpful tool to identify the specific aromatic compounds present in such naturally processed coffees. This offering provides a clear look at how careful cultivation and processing techniques shape the final experience in the cup.