Gesha Village –
Gesha Village Farm is a pioneering coffee estate in the Bench Sheko Zone of southwestern Ethiopia, located close to the birthplace of the Gesha coffee variety. Established with the ambition of producing exceptional coffees while preserving the natural environment, the farm has become one of Ethiopia’s most distinctive specialty coffee producers.
The farm takes its name from the nearby Gesha region, where coffee varieties closely related to the famous Gesha variety were first identified. Today, Gesha Village combines careful cultivation, selective harvesting, and meticulous processing to express the remarkable diversity of Ethiopian coffee. Its coffees are known for their exceptional clarity, floral character, vibrant acidity, and complex fruit profiles.
Beyond coffee production, Gesha Village places strong emphasis on environmental conservation and responsible farming. The estate operates within a large area of natural forest, creating a unique ecosystem where coffee grows alongside native vegetation and wildlife.
Location: Bench Sheko Zone, southwestern Ethiopia Country: Ethiopia Region: Gesha Altitude: Approximately 1,900–2,000+ meters above sea level Farm: Gesha Village Coffee Estate Established: 2011 Founder: Adam Overton and Rachel Samuel Coffee varieties: Gesha 1931, Gori Gesha, and other local Ethiopian varieties Production: Specialty coffee Processing: Washed, natural, honey and experimental processing methods Harvest period: Generally November–January, depending on altitude and season Farming: Organic-oriented, with a strong focus on biodiversity and natural forest conservation Size: Approximately 471 hectares of planted coffee within a much larger conservation area Environment: Coffee is cultivated alongside native forest and surrounding natural ecosystems
Gesha Village is divided into several blocks, including Surma, Narsha, Shewa-Jibabu, and Dimma, each with distinct growing conditions and characteristics. The farm's combination of high elevation, rich forest soils, diverse genetics, and careful processing allows it to produce coffees with very different sensory profiles from one block and processing style to another.
The estate is particularly recognized for its Gesha 1931 and Gori Gesha varieties. Gesha 1931 is selected from material associated with the original Gesha lineage, while Gori Gesha represents a distinct local population from the surrounding region.
Gesha Village also places significant emphasis on processing and quality control. Cherries are selectively hand-picked at optimal ripeness and processed in small lots, allowing the farm to preserve the individual characteristics of different varieties, blocks, and harvests.