Two Generations at La Piragua
Arley Vargas works alongside his father, Alexander, at La Piragua in Palestina, Huila. Their work represents two generations shaped by the same pursuit, with Alexander bringing more than two decades of experience and Arley introducing a new level of curiosity and precision to the farm.
Alexander began farming coffee at fifteen, following the path of his parents. By twenty, his attention had shifted toward specialty coffee and the possibilities that came with producing at a higher level. That commitment has remained constant throughout his career, earning him recognition as a four-time Cup of Excellence finalist.
Today, Arley is carrying that work forward, not by changing its foundation, but by continuing to refine it.
La Piragua sits between 1,600 and 1,800 meters above sea level in the mountains of Huila. Its name translates to a small boat, a fitting reference for a family that approaches coffee with an openness to exploration and learning.
That mindset extends beyond processing. Regenerative farming and reforestation are part of their work on the land, while careful harvesting gives them greater control over what happens afterward. Cherries are selected at peak ripeness using Brix measurements, creating a more consistent starting point for each fermentation.
It is a thoughtful approach built less around fixed formulas and more around observation, repetition, and small improvements over time.
