How Hope Estate Made Colombia’s Top Geisha Coffee

When specialty coffee lovers think of Geisha—also calledGeisha—they usually picture Panama’s Esmeralda Estate. But few know that Colombia’s Hope Estate also spent decades chasing the same legendary cup, facing climate setbacks, planting failures, and industry doubts before finally breaking into the global spotlight.

Hope Estate’s Geisha won 3rd and 7th places at the 2012 SCA World Coffee Championships, plus 2nd overall—making it one of only three Geishas in the top ten that year.

The Opportunity That Sparked a Decade of Work

It all started when Panama’s Esmeralda Estate rediscovered Geisha on its farm and skyrocketed to fame. This inspired coffee farms worldwide to try growing Geisha—but Colombia had no local Geisha variety. Hope Estate owner Rigoberto Herrera sent his chief botanist, Hernando Tapasco, to Panama to study the plant firsthand. Tapasco rented La Cardeida farm, right next to Boquete’s Esmeralda Estate, and spent a full year mastering Geisha cultivation and production techniques.

Planting the First Colombian Geisha Trees

In December 2006, Hope Estate purchased Cerro Azul in Colombia’s Cauca Valley, where the geography and terroir closely resembled Boquete. The farm sits at 1,700–1,950 meters altitude, with warm air rising from the valley meeting cool Pacific winds. Originally planted with Caturra, 35,000 Geisha trees were planted in September 2007. But just two months later, many seedlings died. Rigoberto’s brother wanted to abandon the project, claiming the cold winds made it better suited for cattle grazing. Rigoberto refused, replanted the trees, and added windbreaks to protect them from harsh gusts.

The Breakthrough: Top Three at the SCA

The surviving Geisha trees flourished—and in the 2012 harvest season, Hope Estate’s Geisha took 2nd place at the SCA World Coffee Championships. Along with two other Geisha lots from Hope’s farms, they secured three spots in the top ten: 2nd, 3rd, and 7th. It was an unprecedented “triple crown” for a single estate growing Geisha in Colombia.

Who Runs Hope Estate—and What Makes It Different

Hope Estate is owned by the Herrera brothers, whose grandfather once ran a coffee farm in Colombia’s Trujillo region. Although the family left Colombia for a time, they dreamed of returning to coffee farming. The first estate they bought was La Esperanza in Trujillo—near their grandfather’s original land—which now serves as the regional headquarters. The farm is 100% organic and grows varieties including Colombian, Castillo, Caturra, and over 14,000 organic Geisha plants.

The Herrera brothers now manage six estates across Colombia and Panama, covering a total of 213 hectares. These include four estates in Trujillo and Caicedonia, plus the rented La Cardeida farm in Boquete, Panama. Their team includes PhD plant scientists, three professional cuppers, and 100 full-time employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Hope Estate located?

Hope Estate owns six farms across Colombia and Panama: La Esperanza and four others in Trujillo and Caicedonia (Colombia), plus the rented La Cardeida farm in Boquete, Panama. The key Geisha-producing farm is Cerro Azul in Colombia’s Cauca Valley.

What altitude are Hope Estate’s Geisha trees grown at?

Hope Estate’s Geisha trees are planted between 1,700 and 1,950 meters above sea level in the Cauca Valley, with other farms ranging from high-altitude mountainous regions to Boquete’s well-known coffee-growing area near Panama’s border.

When did Hope Estate’s Geisha first win major awards?

In the 2012 SCA World Coffee Championships, Hope Estate’s Geisha won 2nd place overall and secured three top-ten positions: 2nd, 3rd, and 7th. This was the first time multiple Geisha lots from Colombia ranked so highly.

Why did the first Geisha planting fail at first?

35,000 Geisha trees were planted in September 2007, but many died after two months due to cold winds. The initial plan was nearly abandoned, but Rigoberto Herrera replanted with added windbreaks to protect the trees from harsh weather.

What makes Hope Estate different from other coffee farms?

Hope Estate employs a PhD plant scientist, three professional cuppers, and 100 full-time staff. It manages six farms, uses fully organic practices, and has a long-term commitment to cultivating high-quality Geisha in Colombia’s challenging climate.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Geisha Lovers

Try FrontStreet’s Boquete-sourced Geisha options to experience the variety’s signature floral and citrus complexity. The Esmeralda Red Label Geisha (from Panama) shines with intense jasmine, stone fruit, and high acidity, while the Esmeralda Green Label Geisha offers a more affordable blend of multiple high-altitude Geisha lots. For a unique twist, the Grana Geisha from Ethiopia presents bright citrus, floral honey, and juicy sweetness with a delicate body. All three showcase why Geisha remains one of the world’s most sought-after coffees. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.