Sergio

The Sergio offering is a singular expression of Acauã cultivated at Fazenda Joia Rara—Portuguese for "Rare Jewel"—one of the Barbosa family's most prestigious estates in Cerrado Mineiro. This lot, scored at 87.5 points, represents the culmination of the family's 2021 Cup of Excellence championship and four generations of uncompromising dedication to specialty coffee. Sergio Ricardo Barbosa, for whom this lot is named, represents the fourth generation to work the family's estates in Cerrado Mineiro, the first Brazilian region to receive Protected Designation of Origin status. Fazenda Joia Rara sits between 950 and 1,100 meters above sea level on the volcanic plateau where well-defined seasons—humid summers followed by arid winters—create ideal conditions for developing complexity without compromise. The family operates alongside patriarch Danilo, matriarch Imaculada, brother Vitor Marcelo, and their extended family, maintaining a ten-person quality control team that monitors every stage from flowering to final export. In 2018, the Barbosas partnered with Deyvid Leandro, a fermentation specialist with over twenty years of experience in Q-grading and post-harvest innovation. This collaboration transformed their already exceptional coffees into competition-winning lots. Their 2021 Cup of Excellence victory—Brazil's most prestigious coffee competition—marked the culmination of decades refining agricultural practices across the Cerrado's challenging acidic soils, now corrected and nurtured to support specialty-grade production. The aerobic fermentation protocol at Fazenda Joia Rara represents intentional flavor modulation rather than standard processing. Selected red cherries undergo controlled fermentation in open-air tanks for 16 to 20 hours, where atmospheric microbes and naturally occurring yeasts develop the fruit-forward esters that define this 87.5-point lot. Temperature and time are meticulously monitored to avoid vinegar notes while amplifying the varietal's inherent sweetness and syrupy body. The extended drying period across raised beds preserves the delicate aromatics created during fermentation. Acauã itself carries distinction as a crossbreed—the result of combining Mundo Novo IAC 388-17 with Sarchimor IAC 1668 in 1975. This variety thrives in Cerrado's hotter, drier microclimate thanks to Coffea canephora introgression that provides drought resistance while maintaining Arabica's refined cup quality. The 16+ screen size indicates superior bean density and uniformity. Acauã lots regularly score above 87 points in competition, with this particular lot achieving 87.5 in the SCA classification system. The cup reveals the sophisticated interplay between variety, fermentation, and volcanic terroir. Bright orange citrus opens the profile, accompanied by fresh pineapple that develops into honeyed sweetness as the coffee cools. The aerobic fermentation contributes wine-like fruity complexity without overwhelming the clean finish that characterizes carefully managed post-harvest work. A distinctly syrupy body carries layers of tropical fruit through a lingering aftertaste, testament to both the Acauã variety's genetic potential and the Barbosa family's championship-caliber approach. Sergio—named for the fourth-generation family member who tends this "Rare Jewel" estate—represents more than exceptional coffee. Each bag connects you directly to a family whose 2021 Cup of Excellence triumph validated decades of dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to Cerrado Mineiro's emerging specialty identity. At 87.5 points, this lot stands among Brazil's finest offerings.