Colombia | La Laja | Sudan Rume | Washed

Region: Betania, El Tambo, Cauca Elevation: 1750 masl About: Coffee has shaped James Fernández’s life from an early age. Raised among coffee trees alongside his parents and grandparents, he learned the work of cultivation as a child before briefly turning his attention to other crops in search of new opportunities. Despite this, coffee remained a constant, eventually drawing him back with renewed focus. James first planted Castillo before gradually expanding into rare and highly regarded varieties. Through his work selling seedlings and seeds, he encountered Geisha at a time when it was still relatively unknown in Colombia, becoming captivated by its distinct sensory profile and establishing one of his earliest high-purity plantings. Today, his farm is home to varieties including Sudan Rume, Bourbon Rosado, Bourbon Naranja, and Geisha. Alongside farming, James developed a respected career as a cupper, building a deep understanding of quality across every stage of production. Supported by Banexport, he continues refining his processing methods with a focus on expressive and carefully produced microlots.