about Don Eli
Carlos Montero is one of Costa Rica's most prominent coffee farmers, deeply rooted in the country's coffee culture. His earliest memories include picking fallen coffee cherries to help his family or earn extra money. Raised in a humble home, Carlos's father, Eli, worked as a farmhand and helped establish many of the coffee plantations still in operation today. Eli later became one of the founding members of the renowned CoopeDota cooperative in 1960, providing a good life for his family of nine.
Carlos, a naturally curious soul, had the opportunity to study in San Diego, California, as a high schooler. This experience sparked his love for exploring new places, learning about different cultures, and making lifelong connections. As a young man, Carlos traveled the world, working various jobs to fund his adventures. His travels would later inspire him to see his coffee enjoyed in the same places he had come to love.
After several years working in New Jersey to save for his own farms, Carlos returned to Costa Rica, where he acquired his first properties in Tarrazu with the help of his family. He spent years managing his farms commercially, delivering fruit to cooperatives and building a life with his wife Lucia and their children. But as the cooperative model became less profitable, Carlos noticed peers receiving higher premiums for processing their own coffee and sought to build his own wet mill.
Carlos sold his share of a farm in San Pedro de Tarrazu and used the proceeds to purchase land across the Pirris River, where Finca Temática stands today. With a good deal on processing equipment from an American, Carlos built what became Micro Beneficio Don Eli, embracing the micro-mill revolution and taking control of his coffee’s future.
Our Direct Experience with Don Eli:
Winning the Costa Rican Cup of Excellence nearly every year since they have been in production, the Don Eli farm is one of the top-tier coffee producing farms in the world. But producing great coffee is only one of the reasons why we are excited to offer this coffee. We love this farm not just for their delicious coffee, but because of our history with them.
Ten years ago, when I began doing serious research into coffee, I had lunch with Perry Czopp, a local barista trainer. With him that day was Nella Montero, daughter of Carlos Montero, the producer for Don Eli. Long story short, Perry ended up marrying Nella and moving to Costa Rica. Two years ago, we got to visit this farm for the first time. We’ve seen firsthand how they pick only the ripest cherries; we’ve witnessed their processing and admired their wet mill; we’ve walked their drying beds. But it’s not only coffee. We’ve eaten multiple meals with this family and discussed everything from harvesting to milling, to family relationships and life.
The connection we have with the Don Eli farm and the Montero family when it comes to coffee is unparalleled. They are great people. And what’s more, they produce some really, really incredible coffee.
