At 2,100 meters above sea level, high in the Vereda San Joaquín, we find a farm that coffee connoisseurs mention with reverence: Costa Rica, a place that challenges both geography and expectations about what Colombian coffee can offer.
This coffee mountain is the sanctuary of Don Faver Ninco.
A Stairway to Heaven in Vereda San Joaquín
To reach Don Faver's farm, one must be willing to embark on a journey that many describe as "climbing a stairway to heaven." Located in Vereda San Joaquín, in the heart of the Huila department, the property is difficult to access. The steep, winding roads represent the first challenge for those seeking to discover one of Colombian specialty coffee's best-kept treasures.
It was precisely this rumor, of exceptional coffee cultivated in extreme conditions, that led us at Cuatro Vientos Specialty Origins to seek out Don Faver a few years ago. What we found exceeded all our expectations.
A Natural Garden of Varietals
On his 10 hectares of land, Faver Ninco has created something extraordinary: a true botanical garden dedicated to coffee. With more than eight carefully selected and cultivated varieties, his farm represents the biodiversity and potential of Huila coffee at its finest.
Papayo, Gesha, Wush-Wush, Pink Bourbon, Bourbon Aruzi, Caturra Chiroso, Classic Caturra, and Java are just some of the varietals that coexist in perfect harmony in this coffee ecosystem. Each with its unique character, together they compose a symphony of flavors that demonstrates why Huila coffee is considered among the best in the world.
After his visit, our CEO, Yonatan González, told us: "Some collect art; Don Faver collects and cultivates coffee varieties like a passionate curator. And most impressively, we suspect he still has some 'hidden treasures' that he hasn't shared yet, that he's experimenting with."
(Read Also Our Blog: Huila – The Lucky Region)
Exceptional coffee varieties grown by Faver Ninco: Gesha, Wush-Wush and Pink Bourbon
The Man Behind the Coffee
At 55, Faver Ninco embodies virtues that are directly reflected in the quality of his coffee. He is a reserved man who speaks little but observes much. His calm and serene composure hides an unbreakable determination. As those who know him well say: "He's someone who does things right, never does anything halfway."
The discipline, resilience, and meticulousness with which he approaches every aspect of coffee cultivation and processing are legendary among producers in the region. But perhaps the most distinctive aspect of his approach is that he doesn't follow trends or obsess over the extreme technification that characterizes many contemporary producers.
Don Faver has built his reputation following a different path: that of artisanal mastery. He trusts his instinct, the knowledge accumulated over decades, and an almost spiritual connection with his land and coffee plants. Like the traditional Neapolitan pizza master who achieves perfection with simple but exceptionally high-quality ingredients, Don Faver has found his own "perfect recipe" for coffee.
His daughter, Liliam Camila Ninco, tells us that her father goes against the current trend where everything is scientifically controlled; he works in favor of mastery, experience, and tradition. Artisanal for him is not a buzzword, it's his way of life.
A Logistical Challenge Worth Every Effort
Exporting coffees from the Costa Rica farm represents one of the greatest logistical challenges for Cuatro Vientos. The remote location, the variety of microlots, and the need to preserve the unique characteristics of each variety make the process complex and demanding.
"It's a meticulous operation," admits the Cuatro Vientos team. "But with Don Faver's varietals and processes, it's always worth the effort. His artisanal yet consistent style ensures that each lot is a positive surprise."
This dedication to quality has allowed Faver Ninco's coffees to reach demanding international markets, where they have caused a sensation among coffee roasters and specialty enthusiasts.
Yonatan González recalls a revealing anecdote: "I had the opportunity to roast some of Don Faver's coffee in my shop and took about 30 small bags to Europe to share with some acquaintances in the industry. We were in the heart of innovation and sophisticated machinery, and we arrived with the artisanal approach of Faver and Cuatro Vientos. 'Let me prepare a coffee,' I told them. I served it to them, and they were stunned, in shock, tasting the coffee I had just given them. It was such an exceptional coffee that even I could prepare it and leave everyone impressed."
Artisanal coffee selection process at the Costa Rica farm of coffee grower Faver Ninco
Polyglot in Varieties, the Universal Language of Coffee
What makes Don Faver's production truly special is that each variety from his farm tells a different story. As the Cuatro Vientos team poetically explains: "He is polyglot in varieties... he expresses himself in different languages and accents. Pink Bourbon is a language, while Honey and Washed are the accents."
This diversity is precisely what attracts the most demanding coffee roasters in the world. When they choose a coffee from Faver Ninco, they are not simply acquiring export-quality beans; they are accessing an authentic and singular expression of the Huila terroir, shaped by the expert hand of a master coffee grower.
Building Long-term Relationships
In an industry where immediacy and short-term results dominate, Don Faver represents a different philosophy. "There are people who enter the coffee industry with a lot of access to information, wanting to win in the short term and not in the long term. That's why creating those lasting relationships is so important to me," emphasizes our CEO.
This principle is something he has passed on to his daughter, who continues the family legacy in coffee culture. And it is also a value that finds an echo in the philosophy of Cuatro Vientos.
"With Cuatro Vientos, I feel I have the possibility to grow a lot," affirms Don Faver. "There are opportunities that I only find working with them."
This symbiotic relationship has opened new markets for his coffee, improving processes and taking quality to levels that previously seemed unattainable.
Our CEO Yonatan Gonzáles, María Mejía CEO of The Cold Brew Project with Faver Ninco at his house
The Best Colombian Coffee, a Promise in Every Bean
Choosing a coffee cultivated by Faver Ninco is choosing authenticity, tradition, and excellence without pretensions. It's opting for a product that doesn't need grandiloquence to demonstrate its value because each cup speaks for itself.
At Cuatro Vientos Specialty Origins, we take pride in working with producers like Don Faver, true guardians of Colombia's coffee heritage. Through these collaborations, we bring the extraordinary origin coffee from Huila to demanding consumers around the world, sharing not just an exceptional product, but also the inspiring stories of those who dedicate their lives to cultivating perfection.
When you enjoy a specialty coffee from the Costa Rica farm, you are connecting with the very essence of coffee-growing Huila: its land, its people, and an artisanal tradition that, as Don Faver demonstrates to us every day, remains the path to true excellence.