Halloween: PHIL vs SEB

Carlos Castro Solano isn't just a coffee producer; he’s a visionary who has transformed his family's third generation farm, Rio Jorco, into a model operation. Perched at a great 1600m elevation in Tarrazu, Costa Rica, this estate is perennially cranking out outstanding coffees. But this is a great operation built on more than just the coffee: a whopping three-quarters of the property is zealously guarded for conservation, a beautiful, responsible decision honoring the legacy of founder Jorge Zeledon Castro.

Here, the Catuai variety thrives mixed amongst native shade trees. Rio Jorco extends its dedication by working with numerous partner producers across neighboring subregions like Aserri, Acosta, Leon Cortez, Frailes, Desamparados, and Corralillo.

The Tarrazú region itself is a masterpiece of coffee terroir, a dramatic landscape of lush mountains and high-elevation farms that grant the coffee long, slow maturation. This incredible environment has fueled a stunning surge in quality: over the last decade, the area has been literally bursting at the seams with new producers and micro-mills. This palpable movement has re-inserted Costa Rican coffee as a producing nation of top-notch quality, offering unique, farm-level products far superior to the old regional blends.

TASTING NOTES