Honduras Manuel Vallecillo

Manuel Vallecillo is a third-generation coffee farmer who grew up surrounded by his family’s rich coffee traditions. At the age of 23, his grandfather gifted him a parcel of land at 1,200 meters elevation in the Santa Barbara region of Honduras. Manuel worked tirelessly on this land for eight years, but like many small farmers, he found himself trapped in a cycle of low production and low coffee prices. Faced with these challenges, he made the difficult decision to leave his home and seek better opportunities in Houston, Texas.

Over time, however, Manuel was inspired by the growing success of his coffee-farming friends back home. This renewed inspiration drew him back to Honduras each year and he eventually found a way to balance life between both homes.

The Santa Barbara region, where Manuel’s journey began, has since gained international acclaim as a premier coffee-growing region. Its reputation is cemented by consistently record-breaking performances in the prestigious Cup of Excellence competition, with winning lots achieving astounding cup scores and fetching auction prices exceeding $130 per pound of green coffee.

In 2010, Manuel purchased a 10-hectare parcel in the village of El Ocotillo, located in his home region. Alongside his cousins, he planted seven hectares of coffee and aptly named the farm “El Primo” (The Cousin). Today, one of his cousins still manages the farm, carrying on the family tradition.

In 2017, Manuel participated in a National Coffee Competition and achieved an impressive 2nd-place finish. Motivated by this success, he committed himself to continuously improving the quality and consistency of his coffee. That commitment shines through in this exceptional lot, which we are proud to feature in this month’s lineup.