EL SALVADOR - Mena Brothers - Honey Geisha

Jorge, Alfredo, and Víctor Mena are the sixth generation of coffee growers in their family, managing Villa España Farmin the coffee-growing town of Concepción de Ataco, El Salvador. The three brothers come from a long line of coffee producers, with knowledge passed down from their great-great-grandparents. The family's early coffee mills included a dry mill powered by steam, where coffee was dried, threshed, and shaken. Over the years, the Mena family has continually invested in improvements to their farms, ensuring sustainability and quality.

Today, each brother plays a key role in the farm’s success:

• Jorge (33 years old) oversees the administrative and commercial aspects, including personnel management, marketing for the family’s U.S. cafés, and logistics for exports to Europe.

• Alfredo (32 years old) is responsible for coffee production, managing everything from nurseries and planting to fertilization and harvesting. He also collaborates with other producers in the region to share knowledge and best practices.

• Víctor (30 years old) focuses on budgeting and investment planning for both the farm and the coffee mill. His analyses help drive strategic decisions that enhance productivity and profitability across the supply chain.

A Legacy of Coffee Cultivation

Villa España Farm traces its origins back to the late 1800s, when José Manuel Ariz emigrated from Galicia, Spain. After settling in Guatemala, he later moved to El Salvador, where he began growing coffee. Villa España was one of the region’s first coffee farms and operated its own steam-powered coffee mill until 1970, when processing was relocated to a more strategically positioned area with better water access.

Over the years, the farm has seen fluctuations in production, but ongoing efforts have ensured sustainability and growth. Today, it features a variety garden, serving as a pilot project to test coffee strains best suited for the region. A planned replanting strategy is also in place to replace aging coffee trees with acclimated, high-performing varieties.

At an altitude of 1,450 meters above sea level, with a climate that never exceeds 25°C, Villa España offers optimal conditions for specialty coffee production. Beyond agriculture, the farm holds high tourism potential, as it is located in one of the country’s most picturesque towns, Ataco.

Under the leadership of Jorge, Alfredo, and Víctor Mena, Villa España Farm has become the family’s flagship operation, dedicated to producing high-quality, specialty coffee.