Fabio Nelson Urrego

Located in the mountains of Urrao, Finca Granito de Oro is managed by Fabio Nelson, who inherited the land from his father along with a strong work ethic and a quiet belief in its potential. At 1,950 masl, the farm cultivates the Chiroso variety amidst a landscape known for its natural beauty and biodiversity.

Over the years, Fabio’s careful approach to coffee production has gained steady recognition, including two consecutive finalist placements in Colombia’s ‘Land of Diversity’ competition. This washed lot, grown and processed at Finca Granito de Oro, features subtle floral and berry notes that reflect the character of the Urrao region.

Antioquia, in northwestern Colombia, is a region of varied landscapes and deep cultural roots. Its capital, Medellín, is known for its innovation and serves as a cultural centre within the Aburrá Valley. The department spans from temperate highlands to tropical lowlands, including areas like Bajo Cauca and the Caribbean coast of Urabá.

Coffee has long been central to Antioquia’s identity. In high-altitude towns such as Concordia, Urrao, and Ciudad Bolívar, generations of families have cultivated coffee using traditional methods, producing distinctive and celebrated profiles.

The region’s cultural life is equally rich, reflected in events like the Feria de las Flores and a heritage shaped by indigenous, African, and Spanish influences. From colonial towns and ecological reserves to diverse wildlife, Antioquia offers a quiet balance of natural beauty, tradition, and agricultural strength—making it a key contributor to Colombia’s national identity.

Like the origins of coffee in Ethiopia and Yemen, its arrival in Colombia is shrouded in legend and uncertainty. Before the Spanish arrived in 1499, the region was inhabited by skilled agricultural tribes such as the Muisca and Taironas. Over the following thirty years, permanent European settlements were established, and Jesuit priests—after travelling through Guyana and Venezuela—are widely believed to have introduced coffee seeds to Colombia sometime between the mid-1500s and 1730.

Early efforts to promote coffee as a staple crop in eastern Colombia met with hesitation, largely due to the lengthy wait—up to five years—for the first harvest. According to legend, a priest named Francesco Romero encouraged his congregation in Salazar de la Palmas to plant coffee trees as a form of penance. The idea proved successful and was soon adopted by other parishes, helping to lay the foundations for Colombia’s future as a coffee-growing nation.

The first confirmed literary reference to coffee in Colombia appears in José Gumilla’s 1741 book El Orinoco Ilustrado, based on his travels along the Orinoco River in 1730. His detailed account remains an important historical source on the region’s indigenous peoples, flora, and fauna.