Colombia, Wilson Alba

Producer: Wilson Alba Cordoba

Farm: Sierra Morena

Country: Colombia

Region: Jordan, Palestina, Huila

Elevation: 1700-1800 MASL

Varietal: Pink Bourbon

Process: Washed

Taste: Pink Grapefruit, Berry, Floral

2024 is our fifth consecutive year buying coffee from Wilson Alba, and we think this harvest is the best yet: bright and juicy, with a pink-grapefruit acidity. Sitting proudly as the main espresso in our cafe but also a firm favourite on the filter menu, this coffee is a truly excellent all-rounder.

Their farm, Sierra Morena, has been in the Alba family for a number of generations, having begun with Wilson's grandfather owning six hectares. His father then inherited the farm and expanded it over the years, purchasing land from neighbours. After growing up on the farm and being actively involved in its operations, Wilson’s five sons have now acquired additional land together.

For the past fifteen years, Wilson has lived and worked with his brother Jose, who we very recently bought coffee from. Most of the land on their farm is dedicated to the Pink Bourbon variety with the remaining land growing Tabi.

In 2003, the family decided to transition from coffee production to fruit farming. Despite this change, Wilson remained dedicated to the farm and upon discovering the world of speciality coffee in 2016, decided to revive the family's tradition by planting approximately 6 hectares of coffee. Since then, the quality has consistently improved to produce the best pink bourbon coffee we have tasted.

Pink Bourbon

Pink Bourbon is a relatively new variety, gaining popularity in Colombia in recent years, particularly in the Huila region. Initially thought to be a natural hybrid of the Red and Yellow Bourbon varieties, recent genetic testing has discovered that it may in fact be an Ethiopian Landrace. Though the name Pink Bourbon has stuck it may not even be related to the Bourbon variety at all. It is not clear how this variety reached Colombia from Ethiopia, though theories suggest, that it may have been brought as a parent for a hybrid, or that someone attempting to bring the Gesha variety was in fact carrying Pink Bourbon.