Fazenda Rio Brilhante, Brazil | ESPRESSO

Rio Brilhante, founded in 1984 by Inacio Carlos Urban in Cerrado Mineiro, Minas Gerais, is now one of Brazil's largest and most innovative farms, spanning over 2,350 hectares, with 1,627 dedicated to coffee.

The farm, whose name means 'bright river,' honours the clear water sourced from the vast Guarani Aquifer, which is crucial to its success. Cerrado Mineiro, located 1,000 to 1,250 meters above sea level, is famed for its quality coffee due to the perfect balance of wet and dry seasons and has received coveted Origin Status.

Driven by a commitment to excellence and sustainability, Rio Brilhante employs rigorous quality control. This includes quarterly soil and leaf analysis to inform precise fertilization and pruning every two years to maintain productivity. The farm cultivates traditional varieties like Catuai and Bourbon, alongside innovative, pathogen-resistant types such as Arara and Paraiso.

The Natural processing method involves drying coffee cherries in thin layers on patios for around 23 days until they reach 12\% moisture or less.

Rio Brilhante actively supports its community through social initiatives. Their main project, 'Seeds of Change,' offers staff and their relatives professional qualifications by teaching essential life skills like reading, writing, and calculating. They also fund educational projects like Escolinha Tia Edna (a disability school) and Ponto do Livro (open-air libraries).

With Urban's sons now involved, the farm continues its legacy of family care, innovation, and a focus on environmental responsibility, including future plans to recover and reinstate local water springs.