COSTA RICA Diego Robelo

Meet Diego Robelo - The Visionary Behind Costa Rica’s Aquiares Estate

In the heart of Costa Rica, on the lush slopes of the Turrialba volcano, lies Aquiares Estate, one of the country’s oldest and most sustainable coffee farms. Here, surrounded by misty hills and two flowing rivers, Diego Robelo carries on a century-old family legacy while shaping the future of coffee.

Aquiares was founded in 1890, and for generations it’s been more than just a coffee farm - it’s a living community. Diego grew up among coffee trees, watching his father transform the estate into a model of social and environmental responsibility. Today, as general manager, he continues that vision with a modern twist: blending deep respect for tradition with cutting-edge processing and sustainability practices.

Under Diego’s leadership, Aquiares has become Carbon Neutral and Rainforest Alliance Certified, proving that coffee excellence and environmental care can go hand-in-hand.

The estate is home to over 1,800 people, forming one of Costa Rica’s most vibrant agricultural communities. From housing and education to reforestation programs and wildlife corridors, every cup from Aquiares supports a thriving ecosystem, both human and natural.

Diego oversees every step of the coffee’s life: from the seedlings grown in volcanic soil to the final drying process under the tropical sun. His team experiments with innovative fermentation techniques, including anaerobic naturals and even microbial cultures made from coffee flowers, a groundbreaking approach that produces complex, elegant, and aromatic coffees with layers of fruit, sweetness, and floral tones.

About the Varietal – 100% Mariana
Mariana is a rare F1 hybrid developed in Costa Rica - a cross between IAPAR 59 and an Ethiopian landrace. It combines exceptional cup quality with resilience, producing a layered sweetness, rich aromatics, and vibrant, wine-like complexity.