The Vision Behind Finca Fuente Vieja
The origin of Finca Fuente Vieja was not a business plan, but a personal conviction. It was inspired by the vision of Angelo Carbone, who, after more than three decades in the coffee industry, could no longer ignore one fundamental question:
What does origin truly mean?
After several stays in the Dominican Republic and gaining deep insights into local coffee farming, a desire emerged not only to trade, roast, or talk about coffee, but to truly understand and help shape it at its origin. In an industry where sustainability, fairness, and transparency are often discussed, the goal was to create a place where these values could be made tangible and verifiable.
From the very beginning, the vision was clear: to create a coffee plantation rooted within a local community, built on fair working conditions, environmental responsibility, and genuine connection with the people on the ground. Not as a romantic ideal, but as an evolving process — open, honest, and designed for the long term.
What followed was a search that lasted several years. Different regions were explored, existing plantations were visited, and conversations were held with landowners and local stakeholders.
In the end, one exceptional property in the highlands of San Víctor stood out: easily accessible, closely connected to a local community, and shaped by a flowing stream and its own natural spring. That spring became the namesake of the plantation — Finca Fuente Vieja, the land by the old spring.
At around 11 hectares, the size was intentionally chosen: manageable, realistically fundable, and well suited for sustainable development. It quickly became clear that a project like this could not be carried alone. A circle of like-minded entrepreneurs from Germany, Italy, and Austria came together, contributing not only capital, but also a shared mindset and sense of purpose. As more partners joined, a personal vision evolved into a collective project.
At the same time, the formal groundwork began on site: establishing the company in the Dominican Republic, securing legal structures, transferring ownership, managing contracts, and navigating administrative processes. It was a process that required time, patience, and a strong local presence — and one that laid the foundation for everything that followed.
With the acquisition of the plantation, the real responsibility began. An existing worker was retained and provided with social security benefits for the first time. The integration of the local community became an active priority, with social projects initiated and supported. At the same time, the focus shifted toward a long-term vision: restoration, regeneration, and the gradual return of value creation directly to the plantation itself.
The story of Finca Fuente Vieja is therefore not a finished narrative. It is the beginning of a journey — driven by curiosity, responsibility, and the ambition not only to define origin, but to truly live it.