Finca El Ocaso – Salento, Quindío, Colombia

1. Historical Background
Finca El Ocaso is a historic coffee estate located just a few kilometers outside Salento, in the department of Quindío, Colombia. The farm sits within the heart of Colombia’s UNESCO-recognized Coffee Cultural Landscape, and its legacy dates back more than a century. El Ocaso began as a traditional family-owned coffee farm and has since evolved into a benchmark for sustainable practices, cultural preservation, and specialty coffee tourism. Its name—Spanish for “sunset”—is emblematic of the serene beauty and rhythm of the Andean countryside that surrounds it.

2. Growth and Regional Role
Over the last two decades, Finca El Ocaso has grown in both size and reputation. What began as a conventional coffee farm is now a dual-purpose operation—producing high-quality specialty coffees while also serving as an educational and experiential destination for both domestic and international visitors. The estate plays an important role in preserving Quindío’s coffee-growing heritage through guided tours, educational workshops, and hands-on coffee cultivation experiences. It also contributes to local employment, ecotourism, and cultural storytelling, helping visitors understand the depth and significance of Colombian coffee traditions.

3. Present-Day Production and Practices
El Ocaso spans approximately 24 hectares and cultivates a range of coffee varieties including Castillo, Caturra, Bourbon Rosado, Geisha, and Papayo. Coffee is grown under a dense shade canopy, with native tree species playing a key role in supporting biodiversity and regulating microclimates. The estate employs various post-harvest processing methods, including fully washed, natural, honey, and anaerobic fermentations—each carefully tailored to highlight the intrinsic characteristics of each lot.
The farm offers a two-tiered tour system: a traditional coffee tour that introduces guests to the full seed-to-cup process, and a more in-depth premium experience that includes experimental processing techniques, advanced tastings, and a closer look at varietal selection and agronomic practices. All coffee is hand-picked, with an emphasis on ripeness and selective harvesting to ensure quality and consistency.

4. Market Dynamics and Recognition
Finca El Ocaso has developed a strong identity in both domestic and international markets as a producer of traceable, high-quality coffees with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. The farm markets its own line of branded coffee under the name Ocaso Sustainable Coffee, offering microlots and single-varietal expressions for direct-to-consumer and wholesale clients.
In addition to its role in the specialty coffee market, El Ocaso has earned accolades for its integration of coffee tourism with sustainable agriculture. Its facilities include an on-site coffee house, boutique lodging, and guided workshops that draw thousands of visitors each year. The estate is often cited as a model for responsible agro-tourism in the Coffee Axis region.

5. Outlook
Finca El Ocaso is well-positioned to thrive in a future that increasingly values transparency, ecological resilience, and experiential storytelling. By combining traditional practices with modern processing innovation, the estate continues to expand its reach in the specialty coffee world. Its commitment to sustainability, education, and community involvement ensures that it will remain a key cultural and agricultural landmark in Salento and the broader Quindío department for years to come.