Finca Filadelfia: A Legacy of Excellence

Nestled in the iconic Antigua Valley, Finca Filadelfia is a true gem in the world of specialty coffee. Renowned for its consistent quality year after year, the farm has achieved impressive scores, with the 2024 harvest reaching an outstanding 87+. This success is no accident—it's the result of a deep-rooted obsession with quality that runs through the family and their dedicated team.

What makes Finca Filadelfia truly special?

• Uncompromising Quality: From the meticulously cared-for crops to the expertise of a solid agronomist, quality is at the heart of everything they do.

• Breathtaking Views: No matter where you stand on the farm, you’re greeted by spectacular views of all three volcanoes in the Antigua Valley, adding to the magic of the place.

• Location Advantage: Situated on the north side of the Antigua Valley, the farm benefits from ideal climate conditions that set it apart.

• Urban Pressures, Family Tradition: Despite the urban expansion surrounding Antigua, the family has maintained the tradition of coffee cultivation, steadfastly carrying on a legacy that spans over six generations.

• Don Roberto’s Passion: The infectious enthusiasm of Don Roberto, whose face lights up when talking about coffee, is a reminder of how deeply his family values the craft of coffee growing.

• A Personal Connection: The magnolia tree-lined roads evoke the memory of Marta’s great-grandmother, grounding the farm in both family and history.

• Vertical Integration: With a local roasting operation on the farm itself, Finca Filadelfia ensures that every aspect of the coffee process is closely monitored and controlled.

As our longest-standing relationship, Finca Filadelfia is more than just a farm—it’s a family legacy that has flourished for six generations. The passion for exceptional coffee continues to drive this farm’s success, and we are proud to share it with you.

Read the farm story below:

It was split into 4 unique parcels, or farms, when it passed on to the third generation of the family. Coffee represents 214.64 hectares of the entire farm. The coffee that we call Finca Filadelfia today is from Roberto Dalton’s 1/4 of the original finca, plus a new lot that he purchased later on and named Altos de Filadelfia, as it is located on the hill above his inherited lot.  

Manuel Matheu (Marta’s great great great grandfather) initially leased the land at Filadelfia, and like most farms in Guatemala they originally harvested cochineal, a scale insect from which the natural dye carmine is derived. During the industrial revolution, Germany developed synthetic dyes, removing the need for the natural carmine colour. As a result, cochineal farms across Guatemala faced a devastating recession. In order to survive, in 1864 Manuel made the decision to transition away from cochineal to coffee.

After his first harvest, he went to London to sell his first crop. After returning from London, where he had achieved great success, he was commissioned by the President of Guatemala to show other small farmers how to grow coffee. Thus the Antigua coffee growing region was born. Eventually, Manuel’s son purchased the lad his father had leased. Through the years Finca Filadelfia has been run by passionate owners, like Marta’s great grandmother Elisa, who ran the farm until she was 95 years old and placed 2nd in the first Guatemala Cup of Excellence in 2001. The Dalton family is proud to honour its coffee growing heritage, and the farm is currently being operated by the 5th and 6th generations.