Our History
Our farm was founded in 1979 by a Portuguese businessman and his wife. Their names were Manuel Antonio SARnadas and PAmela Denize Chettle, hence the SARPA name was born.
He acquired several properties in the municipalities of Bonito, Utinga and Wagner in the State of Bahia. The region is called Chapada Diamantina (Diamante plateau). The property is located at around 3000 feet above sea level and has a micro climate suitable for coffee production. The most important property is named “ Fazenda Belmonte”, how is producing our specialty coffees.
The farm is divided into two main areas. One area is dedicated for the coffee production, the other area, in a distance of approximately 10 miles, with a much drier and hotter micro climate, is dedicated for fermenting and drying coffee beans immediately after harvesting.
In 1984 we met the Sarnadas and stared to develop a relationship which ended in 1986 in a partnership. In 1989 the founder decided to return to his home country Portugal and sold his shares. We have maintained and further developed the spirit of the farm in producing in a sustainable environment.
In 2000 we decided to publically record approximately 20 % of the current area as legal reserve. This attitude just undermines our vision of longevity and sustainability. It is today mandatory to dedicate a certain percentage of a property as legal reserve.