A vibrant project for people, nature and the future

This vision had been there for a long time – a quiet dream waiting for the right moment. At the beginning of 2025, it finally came true: Together with Luis and Marlene, we took over the responsibility for an eight-hectare cocoa hacienda in Venezuela that had been abandoned for five years. A hacienda with history – awarded the title of best cocoa hacienda in the country in 2018, while its previous owner, Pedro, was still alive.

Today, we care for and nurture this special place with great respect and devotion. The hacienda is a true paradise – shaped by the warm, exotic nature of Venezuela and the deep human warmth of the region. During the years without human care, the jungle had almost completely reclaimed the land. Therefore, the first year was all about arrival: carefully clearing the areas, honoring the place, and consciously working with its visible and invisible energies.

In parallel, we began medium- and long-term planning and made initial targeted investments. These included acquiring tools and materials, planting new trees, establishing compost and worm composting systems, and maintaining and restoring the main house. Even at this early stage, we were able to achieve initial small harvests, which were sold or bartered locally.

Fair cooperation and social responsibility

The local people are at the heart of everything we do. All farmers and workers on the hacienda receive approximately 25% higher wages than the regional average. We also provide additional financial support in cases of health challenges – whether for themselves or their families.

Should we succeed in exporting cocoa from our own managed hacienda for the first time this year, we will go one step further:

We pay 30% more for our own cocoa and also reinvest an additional 10% of the revenue directly into the project's development and to the partners, the farmers.

Our vision: A cocoa school for the region

Our long-term goal extends far beyond our own cultivation. We want to breathe new economic life into the region and invest specifically in environmental education. Together with you, we want to develop our hacienda into a cacao school – an open learning space where farmers from the surrounding area and even further afield can participate in workshops free of charge.

On-site, we provide practical and comprehensive training in the knowledge and skills needed to produce high-quality cocoa beans. At the same time, we support farmers in gaining access to markets that were previously closed to them and guarantee that their cocoa is purchased at the highest local market price.

Furthermore, we see our own actions as an inspiration: through training, collaborative work, and leading by example, we promote environmental awareness and sustainable agriculture. Another important step is our joint path towards organic certification, which will also enable access to markets with organic labels.

We are truly delighted by your participation and support in this project.

Our cocoa – character, depth and origin

We are especially excited about our own cacao – and that you can use it ceremonially for your well-being. It has an intense cacao aroma with a balanced medium acidity, bitterness, and astringency. Its complex flavor profile reveals fruity notes of red and black berries, complemented by nuts and a subtle hint of tobacco. Cacao and ripe fruits combine to create a profound and harmonious experience.

This cocoa is internationally recognized and distinguished by a protected geographical indication, which safeguards both its unique genetics and its quality. It combines genetic excellence, ideal agroecological conditions, and a complex sensory profile – thus setting a technical and cultural standard among Venezuelan cocoas.