From Huehuetenango: Our Connection to Aurelio Villatoro
When Kevin, our Q Grader and green coffee buyer, first met Aurelio Villatoro earlier this year in the remote mountain village of Hoja Blanca, Huehuetenango, he was welcomed with a handshake, a smile, and the unmistakable smell of coffee cherries in the air.
The Story Behind Campamento Alto
Aurelio was born into coffee. Raised among the steep valleys and rugged peaks of Huehuetenango, he grew up helping on his father’s farm before studying to become a mechanic. In 1986, he started his own coffee farm, Finca Villaure that is a blend of his first and last name. Through decades of care and craft, he’s grown from a small producer to a celebrated name in Guatemalan coffee, earning both national and international recognition for his hard work, care and unwavering dedication.
Today, Aurelio’s Campamento Alto lot continues that legacy. Grown between 1,700–1,850 meters, this coffee showcases the richness of the Huehuetenango highlands—a washed process Bourbon and Caturra lot, carefully fermented for 24–36 hours and patio-dried for 9 days. The result is a beautifully balanced cup: dark chocolate and dried fruits layered with toffee, cashew, and a creamy orange undertone.
A Relationship Built on Respect
For Kevin, sourcing coffee is about building authentic connections. He believes in maintaining ongoing, face-to-face relationships with the producers behind our coffees. Every visit allows us to understand their challenges, celebrate their wins, and collaborate toward a shared goal: quality coffee that honors both the craft and the community behind it.
Meeting Aurelio reaffirmed that philosophy. “You can sense the love he has for producing exceptional coffees,” Kevin said after his visit. “ Don Aurelio’s dedication to his craft is incredibly inspiring. But beyond that, he’s kind, curious, and genuinely passionate about sharing his family’s story through coffee.”
Why This Coffee Matters
You’re tasting decades of dedication and a friendship that spans from Colorado to the mountains of Huehuetenango.
We’re proud to roast this coffee not just for its quality, but for the connection it represents. Each cup celebrates farmers like Aurelio who pour their hearts into their work, and the relationships Kevin continues to nurture across borders.