La Fortaleza rises from a determined vision in Chiapas: once a cattle ranch, it has been transformed into a model coffee estate in the Chilón region of the state, now covering approximately 300 acres at just over 3,200 feet above sea level. Under the stewardship of María Esther Saut Niño and Pascual Castillo, the farm becomes a centerpiece of sustainable regeneration and community empowerment in the region.

Following the devastating rust outbreak that struck Chiapas in 2014, La Fortaleza embarked on its transformation to reforest pastureland, rebuild soils, and plant shade trees to create a robust, agro-ecological system designed for resilience. The farm achieved a Rainforest Alliance certification in 2018, formalizing its commitment to ecological and social standards.

Today, La Fortaleza doesn’t just produce coffee, it supports hundreds of smallholder producers in the surrounding area, offering training in climate-smart practices, soil renewal, and collaborative processing. The farm serves as both production hub and learning center, built as an anchor of uplift in a region long weighed by economic vulnerability.

The coffee itself is 100% Arabica, grown under generous shade and processed with care. At harvest you’ll find a medium roast coffee that delivers a brown sugar sweetness with nutty depth and mild acidity. With the altitude, soil regeneration and processing methods all aligned, the coffee is clean, well-balanced, and expressive of Chiapas’ highland terroir.