Florence Mathies is a fourth-generation coffee producer. She currently owns two farms: San José and San José la Cumbre. These farms are located at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,650 meters above sea level. San José la Cumbre, acquired in 2013, is home to a diverse range of coffee varieties including Catimor, Yellow Icatu, Pacamara, Kenya, Red Bourbon, and Pink Bourbon.
At San José la Cumbre, there is a strong commitment to biodiversity, soil health, and environmental care. The use of herbicides for weed control is being reduced year after year, with a gradual shift toward manual and mechanical practices. This approach has made it possible to maintain and encourage the growth of beneficial weeds that interact positively with coffee plants without competing for nutrients or sunlight.
A comprehensive nutritional program is applied to all coffee crops. It begins with a soil analysis every three years, alongside several foliar analyses, to define the annual nutrient strategy. Both organic (100% certified) and chemical sources are used, based on the analytical results, with formulas tailored to the specific needs of the soil and the crop.
All coffee plantations are grown under shade, using a diverse mix of forest, fruit-bearing, native, and introduced tree species, allowing for proper pruning and sustainable canopy management. On average, 60 shade trees are maintained per manzana. These trees continuously contribute organic matter to the soil and help create a stable microclimate, enabling the coffee plants to fully express their potential and resulting in a distinctive, high-quality cup.
