Hacienda Carmona | Antigua, Guatemala

A Legacy That Began Nearly Five Centuries Ago

Few coffee farms can trace their story as far back as Hacienda Carmona.

Originally established in 1541, the estate has been part of Antigua's history for centuries. While its earliest years were dedicated to traditional agriculture, a new chapter began in the late 1800s when the Zelaya family acquired the property and introduced Arabica coffee. Since then, each generation has continued to build upon the work of those before them, carefully preserving the character of both the farm and the remarkable region it calls home.

Today, Hacienda Carmona remains one of Antigua's historic estates, where heritage and innovation continue to work side by side.

Honouring Tradition Through Every Harvest

Nestled within the volcanic soils of the Antigua Valley, Hacienda Carmona produces coffee that reflects both its unique environment and generations of experience. Many of the farm's original varieties—including Red Bourbon, Yellow Bourbon, and Typica—are still cultivated today, preserving the qualities that have helped define Antigua coffee for decades.

Every stage of production is approached with care. Coffee is washed using fresh spring water sourced from the surrounding mountains before being dried and prepared at nearby Finca Santa Clara, where Ricardo Zelaya and his team oversee quality through to export.

The farm is continually evolving while respecting the foundations that have made it successful. New varieties such as Java, Villa Sarchí, and San Francisco have been introduced over recent years, complementing the traditional cultivars while helping strengthen resilience and quality for future harvests.

In the fields, thoughtful management practices help maintain healthy coffee trees for generations to come. A carefully planned pruning cycle encourages new growth, improves airflow and sunlight throughout the farm, and allows younger trees to establish without disrupting the health of the existing root systems.

Caring for Place and Community

For the Zelaya family, Hacienda Carmona has always been more than a coffee farm.

Since 1959, Maria Zelaya Aguirre, the third generation of her family to steward the estate, has dedicated herself to preserving both its history and its future. Her commitment to the farm, its workers, and the surrounding community continues today through Luis Pedro Zelaya and Ricardo Zelaya, who carry that responsibility into the next generation.

The estate has grown into a diverse and vibrant landscape that extends beyond coffee. Alongside the coffee fields are dairy operations, walking trails, native vegetation, and spaces that celebrate the beauty and history of Antigua. Every decision reflects a long-term commitment to caring for the land while ensuring it continues to provide opportunities for future generations.

Why We Partner with Hacienda Carmona

At Common Goal Coffee, we're drawn to producers who think in generations rather than harvests.

The Zelaya family's stewardship of Hacienda Carmona reflects the values we believe create truly exceptional coffee: respect for tradition, thoughtful innovation, and a genuine commitment to caring for both people and place.

Every coffee from Hacienda Carmona carries with it centuries of history, but its story is far from finished. Through careful farming, continuous learning, and long-term investment in their community, the Zelaya family continues to shape the future of one of Guatemala's most iconic coffee-growing regions.

We're proud to share that story with the roasters we serve.