Producer Profile: Allan Oviedo – Don Joel Micromill, Costa Rica
We’ve been sourcing coffee from Allan Oviedo Rodríguez and his family since 2017, beginning with his Villa Sarchí lots for our In My Mug subscription. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed a wide range of coffees from Allan, but his meticulously processed tiny lots of Kenia (SL28) from Finca Carmela have become a firm favourite whenever they’re available. We’re not the only ones who love this coffee – it won third place at the 2024 Costa Rican Cup of Excellence in the Traditional Semi-Washed, Honey & Natural Processes category.
The Don Joel Micromill
Named in honour of Allan’s late father, Don Joel, the micromill was established to give the family greater control over quality and processing. Like many Costa Rican producers at the time, Allan’s goal was to move away from selling cherry to local mills at low prices and instead process his own coffee. He eventually achieved this dream, building the micromill and naming it after his father.
Allan has now been running the Don Joel Micromill for over a decade, managing operations alongside his son Ignacio. Among ten siblings, Allan is one of five involved in coffee, and one of his brothers owns a neighbouring farm that also supplies cherries to the mill. The micromill sits just below Volcán Poás, bordering the Grecia Forest Reserve, and is surrounded by steep, rocky terrain and lush coffee trees. The location offers stunning views and a unique microclimate that contributes to the distinctive flavour profiles of Allan’s coffees.
His methodical and detail-focused approach has earned him multiple accolades in the Costa Rican Cup of Excellence, including several awards between 2017 and 2024. His success has enabled him to reinvest in his farms, buying back the remainder of his father’s land and expanding his plantings to include more Villa Sarchí, Typica, and SL28.
Finca La Cumbre
Located near San Luis de Grecia, Finca La Cumbre sits at approximately 1,600 metres above sea level. The farm cultivates a variety of coffee plants including Caturra, Catuai, Villa Sarchí, and smaller lots of Maragogype. This was the original family farm, inherited by Allan after Don Joel’s passing. In the early days, Allan worked night shifts as a taxi driver in San José while managing the farm during the day. His dedication and resilience were key to keeping the farm running and improving its output.
Finca Carmela
Just a five-minute drive from La Cumbre, Finca Carmela is a three-hectare plot planted primarily with Villa Sarchí, Typica, and experimental varieties like Kenia (SL28). Despite their proximity, the two farms experience distinct microclimates. Rainfall, wind exposure, and sunlight can vary dramatically between the two, influencing flowering times, plant health, and ultimately, cup quality.
Finca Carmela benefits from its location on the border between the Central and Western Valleys, offering ideal conditions for specialty coffee. The farm’s coffees are known for their fruit-forward profiles, with notes of orange, mandarin, pear, honey, and white peach, and a smooth yet lively texture.
A Legacy of Resilience and Innovation
Allan has been producing coffee in this region for over eighteen years, having grown up learning traditional methods from his father and brothers. After inheriting part of the family land, he introduced innovations such as meticulous recordkeeping, new varietals, and refined farming techniques to improve both quality and sustainability.
In 2019, Allan faced significant challenges when Poás Volcano, just seven kilometres from La Cumbre, erupted and coated the plants in ash. That same year, the El Niño phenomenon intensified the dry season, reducing rainfall and impacting yields, particularly at Finca Carmela. Despite these setbacks, Allan’s commitment to quality never wavered, and he has continued to produce outstanding coffees year after year.
His recent visit to Copenhagen for the World of Coffee event reflects his growing international recognition and the strength of his partnerships with roasters and importers around the world.
Producer Overview: Allan Oviedo – Don Joel Micromill
- Country: Costa Rica
- Region: Western Valley
- Province: Alajuela
- Canton: Grecia
- District: San Luis de Grecia
Farms
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Finca La Cumbre
- Elevation: ~1,600 metres above sea level
- Varietals: Caturra, Catuai, Villa Sarchí, Maragogype
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Finca Carmela
- Elevation: ~1,600 metres above sea level
- Size: 3 hectares
- Varietals: Villa Sarchí, Typica, Kenia (SL28)
Micromill
- Name: Don Joel Micromill
- Established by: Allan Oviedo, named after his father
- Location: Near Volcán Poás, bordering the Grecia Forest Reserve
- Managed by: Allan Oviedo and his son Ignacio
- Processes coffee from: Finca La Cumbre, Finca Carmela, and neighbouring farms
