The story of 150 years of coffee production

The Fazenda Ipiranga is your historical coffee farm in the Sul de Minas region, near Guaranésia and Guaxupé in Brazil. Founded in 1875, we are celebrating our 150th anniversary this year – a milestone we are excited to share with you!

It all began in the early 1990s, when the coffee crisis hit many producers hard. Myrtha & Hannjörg Hereth purchased Fazenda Ipiranga as a social project and breathed new life into it. They built 50 houses for the workers, a school for the children from nearby villages, a football field, and ensured access to clean water, fresh milk, social benefits, and secure jobs – everything needed for a good life.

Our Farm Manager, Ignácio Gonçalves, was born on Fazenda Ipiranga, where his parents had worked their entire lives – just like he does today. In our interview, you can learn more about his work and his passion for it.

There have also been major changes in agriculture: the entire production was modernized, converted to environmentally friendly farming methods, and achieved impressive progress in coffee quality.

When the family took over the renowned coffee farm in the 1990s, it was already one of the largest employers in the Guaranésia region. But their vision went further: better cultivation methods, a sustainable future, and excellent coffee. This marked the transformation of a traditional coffee plantation into an ecologically sustainable farm. What began with their passion for authentic coffee and their desire for a better future for the next generations has now become one of the most advanced farms in Minas Gerais.

“Since the beginning of time, the farmer has been the architect of the landscape. Therefore, it is not only his duty to produce food for his generation, but also to pass on the entrusted land to the next generation undamaged – or even in better condition.”

Hannjörg Hereth, Owner & Visionary

The farm cultivates several Arabica varieties, including Catuaí Vermelho 144, Catuaí Amarelo 62, Catuaí 99, Arara, Catigua MG1, and Paraiso MG H 419. The harvest season runs from May to September, with 90% harvested mechanically and 10% manually. After harvesting, the beans are sun-dried on large patios, regularly turned and raked to ensure even drying and a clean, aromatic flavor profile.