Specialty coffee producer Luiz Paulo Dias Pereira Filho is the eldest of four brothers in his family, and together with his cousins, they form a fourth-generation lineage of coffee producers deeply rooted in the culture and history of Carmo de Minas.
Recognising the region’s unique identity and its distinct flavor potential, Luiz Paulo understood that Carmo de Minas coffees belonged among the world’s finest—yet remained undervalued in the global market.
This region supports thousands of families relying on coffee cultivation for their livelihood. Seeing the need for change, Luiz Paulo and his cousin Jacques Pereira Carneiro began a pioneering movement: elevating and valorizing specialty coffees from Carmo de Minas. During this time, Luiz Paulo married his wife, Mariana Poli, who supported the vision.
CarmoCoffees — A New Chapter
In 2007, Luiz Paulo and Jacques founded CarmoCoffees, aiming to build a sustainable, quality-focused approach to coffee. Leveraging Luiz Paulo’s background in Business Administration, they created a system that combines research, direct trade, and farmer empowerment.
Their efforts improved economic stability for local families and strengthened the recognition of Carmo de Minas as an elite coffee-growing region.
“My passion is the search for quality. It means being able to improve our coffees every year. I love being part of that process.” — Luiz Paulo
Santuario Sul — The Innovation Project
Santuario Sul is producer Luiz Paulo’s visionary project to create coffees ahead of global market trends. His goal is to remain at the forefront of innovation while continuously pushing quality boundaries.
By planting and cultivating varieties from around the world, he aims to discover a new Brazilian coffee profile. Today, over 30 varieties grow on the estate, each monitored to evaluate how they adapt to the region’s soil and climate.
The estate spans 120 hectares, with 80 dedicated to coffee production—including classics like yellow and red bourbon alongside rare varietals such as geisha.
Exploring the Future of Brazilian Coffee
Every year, Luiz Paulo tastes the first samples from each planted variety to understand their development. Though managing so many varietals is ambitious, Luiz Paulo and his partners are driven to explore what Brazil can produce and to offer coffees that keep the world captivated.