Coffee Producer Profile: Maria Doroteia Rennó Moreira ("Doña Maria")

1. Historical Background
Maria Doroteia Rennó Moreira, widely known as "Doña Maria," represents the continuation of a long-standing coffee tradition in Brazil. Her family has been producing coffee for generations at Fazenda Santa Maria, located in the heart of Cerrado Mineiro, a region renowned for its high-quality Arabica production. The Cerrado Mineiro region is recognized as Brazil’s first coffee-producing area to receive Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, and Doña Maria’s farm stands as a hallmark of this legacy. Her involvement in coffee began early in life, shaped by a deep familial commitment to the land, and her leadership at Fazenda Santa Maria reflects both historical stewardship and forward-looking innovation.

2. Growth and Role in Regional Development
For over a decade, Doña Maria has led Fazenda Santa Maria with a focus on excellence, sustainability, and community. Under her direction, the farm has embraced both traditional agricultural values and modern specialty coffee practices. Her leadership exemplifies a broader trend in Minas Gerais, where multi-generational family farms are evolving into sophisticated specialty producers. She has played a key role in maintaining the farm’s certifications—such as UTZ certification—and in raising the profile of female producers within the Brazilian coffee landscape. Her approach not only maintains quality but also contributes to broader sustainability and social equity goals in the region.

3. Present-Day Production and Processing Methods
Fazenda Santa Maria, under Doña Maria’s direction, produces high-elevation Arabica coffee, primarily Yellow Catuai, cultivated at altitudes between 950 and 1,200 meters above sea level. The farm utilizes natural (dry) processing, a method well-suited to the region’s dry harvest conditions. Ripe cherries are carefully harvested and dried on patios to ensure even fermentation and sugar concentration. The resulting cup profiles are characteristically sweet, fruity, and clean, with tasting notes that often include red fruits, milk chocolate, and florals—attributes that appeal to specialty roasters globally. Fazenda Santa Maria has also produced high-scoring microlots, such as a pulped natural lot that scored 85.66, earning recognition in regional quality competitions.

4. Market Dynamics and Recognition
As the global market has grown more interested in traceable, high-quality coffees, Doña Maria’s work has gained increased recognition. Her coffees are regularly exported as part of traceable microlot programs and have been featured by specialty importers and roasters. The farm’s PGI and UTZ certifications reinforce its quality and sustainability credentials. Doña Maria’s success is a compelling example of how Brazil’s traditional coffee producers are redefining their place in the specialty sector—not just through volume, but through quality, consistency, and environmental care. Her leadership has also served as a model for women in coffee, encouraging greater gender inclusion within the agricultural economy.

5. Outlook
The future for Doña Maria and Fazenda Santa Maria looks bright. As demand for traceable and ethically produced coffees continues to rise, her operation is well-positioned to expand its influence within the specialty coffee market. With strong infrastructure, a recognized brand, and a commitment to quality and sustainability, Doña Maria will likely continue to lead not just within Cerrado Mineiro, but also across Brazil’s broader specialty coffee community. Her work represents a bridge between heritage and innovation—and a testament to the impact that skilled, passionate producers can have on global coffee culture.