Company Information

The story of our company goes back a century and a half, weaving together agriculture and nation-building. It begins with don Gaspar Ortuño, who arrived in from Spain in 1850. In 1877 don Gaspar founded the Banco de Costa Rica, and threw himself wholeheartedly into the coffee industry – the driving force behind Costa Rica’s democracy and economic growth. The bank (nationalized after the civil war in 1948) went on to become one of the country's most important financial institutions. In 1977, a ¢50 colones bill (Costa Rican currency) bearing the founder’s image was issued to commemorate the bank’s centenary.

The Ortuño Family continued the family business and coffee tradition, next under the direction of don Gaspar’s son Manuel. In 1963 the family moved the operations to the Turrialba area, adding sugar cane and macadamia cultivation and once again contributing significantly to local development.

Ever the innovators, we have worked especially hard to offer most of our products in organic presentations as well. Inextricably entwined with the land, we are dedicated to preserving Costa Rica’s environment, history and culture, and sharing it with visitors to our Hacienda.

Our world-class product presentations, incorporating local art, reflect the company’s pioneering efforts in the industry, and the development of our own distinct flavors. Please see Products for a complete listing of our product line.