MIDNIGHT SACRIFICE, Colombia

Strawberry, Peach, Clementine

El Vergel Estate is operated by the Bayter family in Fresno, Tolima, a region where elevation, humidity, and volcanic soils converge to support controlled, high-density cultivation. The project began as a diversification from avocado production, with coffee established in 2010 and refined through deliberate varietal selection and processing development. Early challenges within the domestic market led to a shift in direction, placing emphasis on post-harvest innovation as a means of reclaiming value at origin.

This shift formed the foundation of Forest Coffee, a producer-led initiative built to close the gap between growers and roasters through traceability, education, and controlled processing systems. What began as a single estate has extended into a network of 250 producing families across Colombia, structured around shared standards and a focus on quality-driven output rather than volume.

Yellow Bourbon is cultivated here for its capacity to carry structure under extended processing conditions, supported by stable maturation at 1,500 MASL. The environment allows for consistent cherry development, forming a reliable base for controlled fermentation protocols.

Processing follows a natural method with extended fermentation. Cherries undergo a 48hr anaerobic fermentation phase prior to drying, managed to encourage internal sugar development without destabilising the seed. Drying is conducted over 8 days within mechanical systems, allowing for consistent heat application and moisture control. Following drying, the coffee is stabilised for 35 days in GrainPro prior to milling, ensuring equilibrium within the seed and preserving clarity through export.