As 2024 moseys off into the sunset and we prepare to welcome 2025 with open arms and fresh coffee, it’s time to reflect on a year full of progress, adventures, and just the right amount of chaos. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Let’s start with the heart of it all: Spirit Mountain Coffee Farm. This year was a caffeine lover’s dream come true, with one of our best harvests yet. Huge props to Delvie and his team of harvesting superheroes—mostly women, might I add—who prove daily that they’re the best in the business. Thanks to their hard work, we all get to wake up to the liquid gold that is Dominican coffee. Cheers to them (and to your next cup).
Meanwhile, our daughter Kate has been busy revolutionizing the coffee world with her new venture, Farm to Cup. Her mission is simple yet powerful: Close the Gap between farmer and coffee drinker. Translation? Fewer middlemen, more dollars for the farmers, and fresher coffee for you. Basically, when you buy from Kate, you’re supporting farmers directly. She’s our family’s coffee rockstar—and trust me, she’s just getting started.
Over on the mountain biking front, we hosted our second Mountain Bike Race Weekend with Waldo de la Mota and the Dominican Enduro Series. What a ride! Literally. If you missed it, fear not—the next big race is coming up on March 15th. I’ve even started working on a new downhill section that’s guaranteed to push limits and possibly inspire a few riders to rethink their life choices.
2024 also brought record numbers of visitors to Spirit Mountain, and they came for all kinds of adventures. Whether it was mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, roasting marshmallows by the fire, making wood-fired pizza, or cozying up in the treehouse, there was no shortage of fun to be had. And honestly, if you haven’t experienced a romantic getaway in a luxurious treetop suite, are you even living?
Now, let’s talk about 2025 and the exciting things on the horizon! This is the year we officially launch the Estancia Natura development. With architect Fernando Cantisano, engineer Yeisson Ramirez, and master builder Franklin Peralta leading the charge, we’re creating a whole new level of “wow” here at the farm. Expect stunning, sustainable designs that combine 20 years of innovative tradition with our commitment to preserving this beautiful environment. By summer, we’ll have some incredible new spaces to welcome you.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing hospitality team, led by Franchira Peralta, our Director of Hospitality, and Krista, our resident owner “Make-Things-Magical” guru. These two, along with their fabulous team, are constantly brainstorming new ways to ensure your stay is unforgettable. Whether it’s a perfectly curated campsite, a luxurious treehouse hideaway, or access to the most breathtaking views and rare bird sightings, they’re here to make your dreams come true.
We’re not perfect (we’re still figuring out how to stop birds from stealing coffee cherries), but Estancia Natura is alive, evolving, and thriving—all for the purpose of making you smile. So, if you haven’t been to Spirit Mountain lately, what are you waiting for? Come experience this 335-acre slice of paradise and let us remind you why life is best lived surrounded by nature, adventure, and really good coffee.
Here’s to an amazing 2025. Let’s make it the best year yet!
