In Pursuit: Meet the Producers Behind Our Final Elevated Series of 2026

The final Elevated Series release of the year is on the horizon.

Throughout this series, we've had the opportunity to dig a little deeper into some of the most inspiring coffees we have the honor of sourcing—exploring unique varieties, thoughtful processing, and, most importantly, the people and places behind each cup.

For our final release of 2026, In Pursuit brings us back to Colombia with two exceptional coffees from two women producers: Francy Castillo of Nariño and Anayibe Ortiz of Huila.

While these coffees come from different regions and tell distinctly different stories, they share something important: an incredible level of intention behind the work.

Francy Castillo · Pink Bourbon | Nariño, Colombia

High in the mountains of Nariño, Francy Castillo grows coffee at Finca El Ubérrimo, a family farm primarily managed by Francy, her parents, and her four sisters. Coffee has been part of Francy's life from the beginning, eventually leading her to study agronomy while continuing to work on the farm and later gaining experience in both fieldwork and sensory development.

Her Pink Bourbon is grown at an incredible 2,118 meters above sea level. The process is just as intentional: cherries are allowed to ripen late before being carefully sorted, fermented, washed, and slowly dried over several stages. The result is a remarkably delicate and expressive coffee with notes of guava, honeysuckle, and strawberry sorbet. 

What makes Francy's work especially exciting to us extends beyond her own farm. She also oversees the Berruecos project, bringing together coffee from small producers throughout the region and helping create greater access to the specialty coffee market. Her success isn't isolated, it creates opportunity for the people growing coffee around her.

Anayibe Ortiz · Bourbon Ají | Huila, Colombia

Then we head to southern Huila, where Anayibe Ortiz grows coffee alongside her husband, Alirio Muñoz Ortega, a name that may already be familiar if you've been following our coffees this year.

Across their farm, the work is shared, with different parcels and varieties carrying either Alirio's or Anayibe's name. This time, we're turning our attention to Anayibe and her Bourbon Ají. Another example of the incredible diversity we're seeing emerge from Colombia. In the cup, Anayibe's careful cultivation and processing allow the character of this unique variety to shine. 

There is something special about ending this year's series here. Two women. Two regions. Two distinct varieties. And two coffees that give us another opportunity to look beyond what's in the cup and toward the people whose work made it possible.

That's really what The Elevated Series has been about all along. Slowing down enough to pay attention. To the variety. To the process. To the people and hands behind it.

In Pursuit is our third and final Elevated Series release of 2026.

Preorders open Thursday, August 27, with fulfillment beginning Thursday, September 3. Quantities are intentionally limited, and preordering will be the best way to secure both coffees before limited allocations arrive in our cafes.