The Journey Behind Aviadora
CHAPTER 01
"Every journey has an origin. Mine began in the mountains of Tarrazú, Costa Rica."
I grew up surrounded by coffee trees, early mornings, long harvest days, and a family that has dedicated generations to growing coffee. Coffee has never been just a product to us. It's part of our story, our identity, and the way we've connected with people for generations.
Growing up, I learned that every cup of coffee has a story. Behind it are families, months of hard work, and a harvest that only comes once a year. Watching my family work the land taught me to appreciate not only great coffee but also the people whose dedication makes every cup possible.
CHAPTER 02
A LEGACY FOUR GENERATIONS STRONG
Every harvest is a reminder of the generations who came before us and the responsibility we have to continue their legacy.
1940s
1970s
1990s
Today
FIRST GENERATION
SECOND GENERATION
THIRD GENERATION
FOURTH GENERATION
Rafael Montero
& Emilia Picado
Eli Montero
Carlos Montero
Maria, Nela and
Jacob Montero
Like many families at the time, my great-grandparents, Rafael Montero and Emilia Picado, were searching for hope after the cholera pandemic in Costa Rica. They found that hope in the mountains of Tarrazú, where years of hard work and dedication became the foundation of our family's coffee legacy.
Eli Montero carried our family's legacy forward. Some of my favorite memories are of him taking me to school and picking me up afterward, always wearing his work clothes after a long day in the coffee fields. No matter how busy he was, he always made time for us.
Watching him taught me that coffee is about much more than what's in the cup. It's about family.
My dad's passion for coffee, hard work, and dedication have helped our farm grow while staying true to the values it was built on.
He is my biggest inspiration. Together with my mom, he has always supported my dreams, encouraged me to work hard, and reminded me that anything is possible with dedication. Everything I've accomplished, both in aviation and coffee, is because of the example they have given me.
Today, the fourth generation proudly continues the family's work. Together, we honor the traditions of those who came before us while exploring new varieties, experimental processes, and share our coffee with the world through Don Eli Coffee and, now, Aviadora Coffee.
OUR RECOGNITION
8th Place — 2021 6th Place — 2022 6th Place — 2024
Top 10 Finalist Lots
CHAPTER 03
Long before Aviadora existed, coffee helped me achieve my dream of becoming a pilot.
One passion gave me roots.
The other gave me wings.
While coffee has always been part of my roots, aviation became my path. Becoming a pilot was a dream I worked incredibly hard for, and one of the things that makes this journey even more meaningful to me is that coffee helped me get there. The work from our family farm helped me pay for my pilot training and made my aviation career possible. In many ways, coffee supported my dreams long before Aviadora Coffee existed. I created Aviadora Coffee because I wanted to continue my family’s legacy while staying connected to the coffee world that raised me, even while pursuing my passion for flying. I wanted to build something that represented both parts of who I am. Early mornings, long flights, and the ritual of brewing a cup before takeoff became the inspiration behind this brand.
"Some dreams begin on the ground. Others begin in the sky."
CHAPTER 04
Where Heritage Meets Horizon
Some people choose between their passions. I chose to bring mine together.
There came a moment when I realized I didn't have to leave one dream behind to pursue another.
Coffee had always been part of who I was. It taught me patience, discipline, and respect for every step of the journey. Aviation taught me precision, curiosity, and the courage to look beyond the horizon.
Although they seem like different worlds, they share the same values, and together, they became the foundation of Aviadora Coffee.
Aviadora is more than a coffee company.
It is a bridge between our family farm in Tarrazú and people who value craftsmanship, authenticity, and the stories behind every cup.
Every bag we roast carries generations of knowledge, the precision inspired by aviation, and a commitment to sharing specialty coffee at its very best.
CHAPTER 05
For four generations, our family has cared for these mountains, dedicated countless hours to every harvest, and worked to produce coffee that reflects the character of Tarrazú.
Today, Aviadora Coffee allows us to share that legacy beyond our farm. Once our coffee arrives in Naples, Florida, I personally roast every order in small batches. You can choose your preferred roast level, tell me how you plan to brew your coffee, or simply leave it in my hands. Every roast is tailored to bring out the best qualities of each coffee so that you can enjoy it at its freshest.
More than sharing coffee, I hope to create a connection between our family and yours, between the people who grow coffee and the people who enjoy it, and between every journey that begins with a simple cup. I also hope to share a little of what I've learned about specialty coffee, so you can better understand where your coffee comes from and appreciate every cup the way I do.
Thank you for taking this journey with us. We're honored to welcome you aboard and grateful to have you as part of the Aviadora Coffee family.
Every journey begins somewhere.
We're honored that ours now continues with you.
With gratitude,
Founder, Aviadora Coffee
