Costa Rica Don Mayo Micromill
Coffee Name: Don Mayo Micromill - La Loma – Catura & Catuai - Washed
Coffee Specifications
Country: Costa Rica
Region: León Cortés
Farm: La Loma
Producer: Bonilla Family
Process: Fully Washed
Variety: Caturra & Catuai
Elevation: 1.850 m.a.s.l
Harvest: January
Certifications: NAMA Café
Packaging: 69 kg w/ GrainPro
Farm Description:
Don Mayo Micromill is a family-run project founded in 2006 by Héctor Bonilla and now led by his son, Pablo Bonilla. With more than three generations of coffee-growing heritage in the Los Santos region, specifically in the cantons of León Cortés and Tarrazú. The Bonilla family has built a reputation for precision and quality. Their farm, Finca La Loma, is in Llano Bonito de León Cortés and spans 15 hectares, mostly planted with Red Catuai trees that are now over 20 years old. A smaller plot of Geisha from this same farm was awarded first place in the 2019 Cup of Excellence, a testament to the family’s ongoing commitment to excellence.
This washed Caturra & Catuai lot, was harvested from microlot 51 and depulped using Penagos modules, followed by a CENTRIFLUX system to remove mucilage. The coffee was then dried for two days on covered patios before being moved to Guardiola for mechanical drying. After reaching the desired moisture level, the lot rested on parchment for two months. Final preparation included hulling with an OCRAZA machine, density sorting through Phinaelense equipment, and color sorting using a ZELTRON optical system. Don Mayo Micromill has placed more than 35 lots in Costa Rica’s Cup of Excellence competition, including two first-place finishes in 2009 and 2020. Their attention to detail extends beyond quality and into sustainability. As part of the NAMA Café program, the mill implements environmentally responsible practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and increasing climate resilience. By combining tradition, technology, and a clear vision for the future, the Bonilla family continues to shape Costa Rica’s specialty coffee landscape, one carefully processed microlot at a time.
Region Description:
León Cortés is one of the cantons that make up Costa Rica’s renowned Los Santos coffee-growing region, located in the highlands south of San José. Known for its elevated terrain and cool mountain climate, León Cortés is part of the greater Tarrazú appellation and shares its reputation for producing some of the country’s most distinguished high-altitude coffees. Farms in this area typically range between 1,600 and 2,000 meters above sea level, with coffee growing on steep slopes surrounded by patches of native forest and fruit trees. The climate in León Cortés features two well-marked seasons, a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from December to April. This seasonal rhythm contributes to consistent flowering and cherry development. Annual rainfall averages around 2,400 millimeters, and average temperatures hover near 19°C, providing optimal conditions for slow cherry maturation and high cup quality. With rich volcanic soils and a strong culture of family farming, León Cortés reflects the values and heritage of the Los Santos region. Many producers manage small plots of land that have been in their families for generations, balancing coffee cultivation with the conservation of local biodiversity. Shade trees and natural springs are often integrated into farm design, demonstrating the deep respect that local producers have for the environment and for the craft of coffee growing.
