Inde Ashok & Divya Patre Lot 27 - India

Nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, southern India, Ratnagiri Estate is a third-generation family coffee farm with a history dating back to 1927. Founded by Patre K Shivappaiya, the estate began with the clearing of jungle-covered land and the planting of its first coffee trees in 1929, producing its inaugural harvest in 1934. Today, Ashok and Divya Patre continue this legacy, combining generations of farming knowledge with a progressive approach to specialty coffee production.

Located near Chikmagalur, within a landscape recognised for its rich biodiversity and protected wildlife, Ratnagiri Estate operates in close connection with its surrounding natural environment. The farm forms part of a tiger reserve, where coffee cultivation coexists with native forests and diverse wildlife.

Since 2015, the estate has undergone a significant transformation, shifting its focus from commercial-grade production towards specialty coffee. Its approach is grounded in innovation, scientific precision and meticulous attention to detail, with the aim of showcasing the distinctive qualities of Indian coffee. From selective hand-picking and carefully managed processing to drying, sorting and vacuum packaging, each stage is considered an important part of preserving quality and consistency.

This commitment extends to the exploration of traditional Indian Arabica varieties, including SLN-9 and SLN-6, alongside innovative processing techniques. Rather than pursuing novelty for its own sake, Ratnagiri focuses on developing aromatic clarity and complexity while allowing the cultivar, terroir and heritage of Indian coffee to remain at the forefront.

This lot, produced using the SLN-9 variety, undergoes a natural process, with whole cherries dried slowly on raised beds over approximately 30 days. Careful drying and post-harvest handling help preserve the coffee's character while developing its natural sweetness and complexity.

A distinctive expression of Indian specialty coffee, reflecting the Patre family's longstanding commitment to quality, innovation and the continued evolution of coffee from the Western Ghats.

• Region: Karnataka
• Country: India
• Elevation: 1,340 masl
• Variety: SLN-9
• Process: Natural