1831
ALWAYS IN SEARCH OF THE BEST COFFEE Our history began in 1831. Since then, our most iconic coffees have become indispensable allies for buyers around the world. For their original flavor. For the final results achieved with them every day. And for having sustainability at heart. For more than two centuries, we have been manufacturing our coffee beans in Brazil. The RDR Coffees brand was created in 2016, from the initiative to recover a symbol of Brazilian specialty coffee production, starting with the São Fernando Farm, in the Massambará district, with a small roastery. Founded in the early 19th century by Luis dos Santos Werneck, the farm was a major coffee producer and experienced the peak of the coffee cycle.
1840
Around 1840, when Brazil exported almost 3.5 million bags, the Vassouras region accounted for almost 70% of national production. It is no coincidence that the town became known as the Little Princess of Coffee. However, the crisis came later that century. Over time, Fazenda São Fernando had other owners. At times, its lands were expanded with the purchase of other areas. At other times, they were divided. Today, the farm has one hundred acres (equivalent to 500 hectares) and a different name (Mulungu Vermelho). It was restored when it became part of the Rodrigo Dora family, in the person of Antonio Pereira Coelho, who decided to carry on the legacy, innovating and redefining the coffee tradition. Thus, today, our original farm is focused on organic farming, milk production and goat farming. The historic headquarters was renovated based on multidisciplinary research carried out by architects, historians, archaeologists and other technicians. As a result, the beautiful building regained its 19th century characteristics, influenced by the neoclassical style. In addition, the entire history of the property was recovered. The restoration of the farm perpetuates a history marked by successful achievements and overcoming difficulties. For this very reason, it inspired the creation of RDR Coffees and became its institutional headquarters. Its heritage is the origin of a series of educational, ecological and historical heritage programs that aim to contribute to the evolution of society. It was there that the pilot project Orgânicos do Vale was born, to encourage organic farming, which spread throughout the region, attracting other producers. The old mansion, in turn, inspired projects to encourage historical tourism: the farm is open to school visits throughout the year, na initiative that made Fazenda São Fernando a pioneer in the use of rural properties as tourist attractions in the region, giving rise to Preservale. The farm has also become the setting for films and soap operas, drawing the attention of the Brazilian public to the architectural heritage and natural beauty of the region. Today, its history is intertwined with the history of Brazilian coffee. Today, RDR produces coffee on its farms in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.
1911
LUIZ DOS SANTOS WERNECK Luiz dos Santos Werneck quickly became involved in the coffee monoculture industry, becoming one of the most important coffee growers of the time and belonging to one of the most powerful and emblazoned clans in the coffee-producing regions. His headquarters dates back to the style of the 18th century, when land donations intensified along the “Caminho Novo” in Minas Gerais.
1925
IMPROVING AND PERFECTING OUR FARM In the following years, Antonio dedicated himself to improving production and expanding to acquire other lands that today are part of the 500 hectares that we own at our institutional headquarters. In a short time, these lands would inspire other coffee growers to expand, joining na endless list of producers who surpassed and still supply the Brazilian and international markets.
1965
THE FIRST EXPORT OF RDR COFFEE During these years, na increasing number of companies, consumers, masters and baristas from various regions of the world showed interest in working with RDR coffee beans. During this period, RDR exported its coffee for the first time, supporting consumptioners and customers in the United States with the iconic flavor and legendary workability of its coffee, in addition to contributing to the consolidation of the reputation of Brazilian coffee.
1988
RDR STARTS EXPORTING COFFEE TO EUROPE With the introduction of RDR S.A.™, RDR gets even closer to European experts. This solid relationship allows experts to roast and taste our coffee with greater precision, improving its workability, and supporting them in obtaining excellent final results without intermediaries.
2006
RDR PROGRAMS: WE WORK CONSISTENTLY ON OUR SOCIAL CAUSES TO BUILD A BETTER AND MORE EQUAL WORLD Education Education is the basis for the development of a society, and for this reason we believe that economic development must be supported by effective projects in the RDR Education Program. RDR’s work in the Education program is carried out through a tripod of three projects: FoCo + Support Groups + Flow Correction. The first two are permanent actions, while the last is a temporary action. All three aim to reduce the rates of repetition, dropout and age-grade gap in the families we work with. Agroecology In parallel with Education, it is necessary to offer income-generating opportunities that retain citizens in their communities, generating a virtuous cycle of local development. Therefore, we believe that due to the Vale do Café’s vocation for economic agricultural practices, the region’s economic and social development can be offered through effective projects in the Agroecology Program. Historical and Cultural Heritage Just like agroecology, Historical Heritage is a vocation of the Vale do Café and its historical heritage, with several opportunities to preserve it and use it economically in sustainable ways. Thus, income generation can also be stimulated through effective projects supported by the RDR in the Historical and Cultural Heritage program. Institutional In order to guarantee the sustainability of the RDR as na institution, we also work on our effectiveness in the Internal Management program.
2010
OUR Q-GRADER WINS THE TITLE OF BEST Q-GRADER IN BRAZIL RDR welcomes experts from all over the world to our laboratories: we call it RDR Lab. Experts and customers come to learn, exchange ideas and experiences.
2011
CELEBRATING OVER A CENTURY OF HISTORY The farms that are part of the RDR celebrate their over 100 years of coffee production together with coffee experts from all over the world. After almost 200 years, each bean of coffee is produced respecting traditional Brazilian coffees to the highest standards. Anniversary celebrations are held from Japan to Mexico, with the presence of experts. Their great stories with coffee form a common thread at all events.
2012
A BOLD MOVE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE EXPANSION WITH COFFEE PRODUCERS, WAREHOUSES AND COOPERATIVES With the Green Seal program, we made a bold choice for sustainably grown coffee to support partner coffee producers, cooperatives and partners. For every package of Finest Brazilian Premium Coffee purchased, RDR reinvests a portion in sustainable coffee cultivation and community programs in producing communities.
2016
MERGER OF FARMS COMBINED TO FORM RDR The RDR farms that were affiliated with each other merge and establish a partnership with the farms of producers Luiz Vasconcellos and Fabiano Zanina. RDR remains a 100% Brazilian brand, continuing to produce all of its Finest Brazilian Premium Coffee, from bean to cup.
2018
RDR STARTS EXPORTING COFFEE TO ASIA RDR expands even further throughout the world, reaching Eurasian and Asian countries such as Russia, China, Singapore, among others.
2019
COFFEE IMPROVED WITH THE SENSES – AND OUR Q-GRADER’S RECIPE BOOK RDR’s secrets for making coffee were perfected and began to be refined. They required few adaptations to maintain the best beans by separating them by variety – just the 100% Arabica ingredient list –, but we learned to “understand” coffee with all of our senses. We observed the coffee in the fields so that each purity of our 100% yellow bourbons, red catuais, yellow and red catucaís, new world, in short, would come out truly perfect. Even today, our master Mauro Benedetti uses all of his senses, exactly as he learned from his tutors. A rare sheet of handwritten recipes, with a lot of study and flavors behind it, which is today the favorite among baristas and the most demanding consumers.
2019
BOURBON BLUES IS BORN: WELCOME! For us, Bourbon Blues is the brand of the most unusual coffee variety in 80 years. This gift from Mother Nature surprises and dazzles with a completely new experience of color, music and flavor, born from the yellow bourbon coffee bean – 100% Arabica. In addition to the color and the perfect medium roast, the flavor of Bourbon Blues is a totally new experience: chocolate, with intense caramel, vanilla and notes of nuts with a slight acidity. LEARN MORE ABOUT BOURBON BLUES.
2019
ALWAYS IN SEARCH OF THE BEST: REVIEWING AND IMPROVING OUR CONCEPTS The reality of coffee shops evolves. And so does our coffee. With a legacy of over 100 years of coffee production, we have reformulated our finest coffees to prepare them for all the challenges of everyday life. A more expressive flavor than ever. Better workability. And traceable coffee. Ready for baristas and q-graders to continue creating their best.
2019
TRACEABLE AND 100% SUSTAINABLE COFFEE BEANS FOR OUR EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTION Always looking for the best, we started producing our roasted coffee from traceable and 100% sustainable coffee beans. We established direct partnerships with cooperatives, warehouses and producers with the best certifications. The programs focus on the best production practices as well as empowering coffee producers to thrive through training, knowledge and community activities.
