Since 1908, we’ve been a family operation….

History

Bruno Mierisch Boettiger, a German geologist, was hired to assist the Nicaraguan government in the construction of their National Railroad in the late 1800s.

Upon completion of his work, the Nicaraguan government found themselves unable to pay him, and his companion’s, salaries in full. To complete their compensation, these German immigrants were offered land in the high mountains of Matagalpa. Bruno, and many of his German colleagues, never returned home to Germany. Instead, choosing to take part in the burgeoning coffee revolution taking place in Nicaragua. Bruno’s legacy continues to live on till this day under the guidance of his great-great grandchildren.

Bruno’s farm was christened “Las Lajas” (a farm still owned and operated by our cousins) but only had lemons growing on it initially. It wasn’t until the Nicaraguan presidency was held by Jose Santos Zelaya (who’s family were coffee producers) that the Nicaraguan government started incentivizing the cultivation of coffee (with tax cuts, subsidies, etc.) In 1908, Bruno planted his first coffee tree on his farm. The rest is history.

Where Are We Today?

We are now a company run by 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation coffee producers.

Dr. Erwin R. Mierisch, 3rd generation producer, along with his wife, Maria Ligia McEwan de Mierisch, and their children Erwin Jr, Eleane, and Steve took on the mantle of responsibility for this legacy in the early 1990’s after the Nicaraguan Civil War of the 1980’s subsided. It was during this time that our operations started shifting from commercial quality coffee into the new world of Specialty Coffee.

Erwin Jr, Eleane, and Steve, the 4th generation, propelled our coffee, and Nicaraguan coffee in general, into the international spotlight. Through their involvement in organizing, judging, and participating in the Cup of Excellence program since the early to mid 2000’s, they learned all the hard work it takes to producer high caliber coffee. Their commitment to quality has not wavered since.

Today, Dr. Mierisch is still in charge of all agronomical decisions for the farms, and Eleane Mierisch serves as our General Director. Erwin III (or Wingo as he’s loving called), is the 5th generation coffee producer and can be found in our QC lab or handling Client Relations.

What is Fincas Mierisch?

Fincas Mierisch comprises 9 coffee farms in Nicaragua, and 3 coffee farms in Honduras.

In Nicaragua, the farms are located in the Matagalpa and Jinotega departments. Matagalpa is home to 6 farms, whereas Jinotega, a little bit farther north-west, is home to 3 farms . Each farm has a unique micro-climate and soil composition, which makes their management, and coffee quality, truly distinct from one another. Give them all a try, and see for yourself.

We’ve been in Honduras, our adoptive home, since the end of 2011. After Erwin Jr.’s amazing experience with Cup of Excellence Honduras 2010, he saw the incredible potential for specialty coffee cultivation in the country. After a chance encounter to purchase a farm, called Cerro Azul, Erwin Jr. jumped at the chance. Since then, we’ve expanded to two more adjecent farms: Santa Lucia and Lalita.

In Honduras, we’re strictly located near the community of Rio Blanco in the municipality of Siguatepeque, of the Comayagua department. All three farms in Honduras sit at a higher altitude than any of our farms in Nicaragua. Erwin Jr. vision and hard work paid off with a 1st Place placing in Cup of Excellence 2019 with a Washed Gesha from Santa Lucia.