October 2026: Podium Platinum. Alinea Coffee
Country: Colombia
Varietals: Bourbon, Caturra, Castillo
Process: Natural
Producer: Luis Jose Valdes
Elevation: 1,650 MASL
Tasting Notes: Grape jelly, cocoa, guava, orange blossom
Your coffee:
For four generations, the Valdes family has grown coffee in the mountains of Caldas, Colombia. Today Luis Jose Valdes carries that legacy forward across three family farms, including Finca La Cristalina — 21 hectares in Vereda Bajo Español, between 1,460 and 1,790 meters above sea level.
More than four hectares of the farm are kept as protected reserve, with coffee grown beneath a canopy of walnut, red cedar, guava, and endangered black cedar — many propagated from the farm's own nursery — creating habitat for local wildlife alongside the crop itself.
Processing happens at an ecological wet mill built to minimize waste: coffee pulp is composted and returned to the soil, closing the loop between harvest and the next planting. Careful post-harvest recordkeeping means every lot can be traced from cherry to cup.
This lot is a blend of Caturra, Castillo, and Bourbon, naturally processed to bring out the fruit-forward character Colombian naturals are increasingly known for — a direct expression of this farm's altitude, climate, and four generations of care.
Your roaster:
Alinea Coffee Roasters is a New Orleans-based specialty coffee roaster founded in 2018 by Michael Matthews, a former touring drummer who discovered specialty coffee while on the road and became fascinated by its flavors, craftsmanship, and stories. What began with a small Arc 800 roaster has grown into a wholesale, retail, hospitality, and events roasting company serving New Orleans and the Gulf South.
Alinea roasts on the lighter side, aiming to highlight each coffee's natural character rather than impose a heavy roast profile, keeping terroir, variety, processing, and producer practices at the center of the cup. The company continually seeks distinctive seasonal coffees and builds meaningful relationships throughout the supply chain.
In September 2026, Michael placed first at the U.S. Coffee Roasting Championship South/Central Qualifier in Houston, earning a spot at the U.S. Roasters Championship in Hawaii.
Alongside roasting, Alinea runs a specialty espresso cart and event catering service for weddings, corporate events, and brand activations. At its core, Alinea exists to explore what coffee can be, connecting the people who produce it with the people who drink it.
