About Us: Family History

My name is Natalia Londoño Castrillón, and together with my parents, Luz Elena Castrillón and Benjamín Londoño, we decided to bring our family’s coffee-growing tradition from the mountains of Colombia to Germany.

1. Our Roots: My Grandfather

Our story begins in the lush Andes of Colombia. Most of my known ancestors arrived in Antioquia from Portugal and western Spain in the 1500s and made the region their home. While I don’t know the story of each one, I do know that my great-grandparents were farmers. Back then, Colombia was a young country, agriculture was booming, and the vast, fertile land in the mountains offered opportunities for hardworking families.

My grandfather was born on a farm and started planting and harvesting coffee as a child. He was a talented farmer and a devoted family man. As a young adult, he saved enough from his earnings to buy his own piece of land, no longer needing to rent to grow his crops. Starting small, he gradually expanded the land until it became our family farm, El Capiro. Due to the steep nature of the Andes, the farm spans various altitudes, but the house he built sits precisely at 1,280 meters above sea level. That house later became the birthplace of my father and his siblings—and the inspiration behind the name of our brand.

My grandfather was ahead of his time. He was curious, forward-thinking, and fascinated by technology. He often traveled to Bogotá to see the latest inventions and even brought some back with him. He believed deeply in the power of education, and with that in mind, he moved the family to Manizales, the nearest city, to make sure his 10 children got a great education.

Sadly, I never got to meet him. He passed away young from a heart attack, but I like to believe he would be proud of us for sharing Colombian coffee with the world.

Photo: My grandparents in the front garden of their home in Manizales.

Photo: El Capiro, our family farm. This unedited photo shows its true nature. The cloudy sky and frequent rain are perfect for coffee cultivation.

2. My Father: Benjamín

My dad, Benjamín and his siblings were all born on the farm. They grew up between rural life and city life in Manizales. While they went to school in the city, they spent every school holiday helping on the farm.

Photo: My dad as a schoolboy.

Wanting to better understand his heritage and following my grandfather’s advice to pursue higher education, my dad studied agronomical engineering in Manizales, where he met my mother. Both agronomists, they fell in love and married shortly after my mom graduated.

His first job was with the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation, he was responsible for the "Bodega" in Manizales. He would receive coffee from the farmers who were members, weigh it, determine the quality of the coffee and buy it at a better price than the market offers. My dad went on to have several jobs in different cities around Colombia. 

Because of my dad's job, he and my mom eventually moved to Bogotá. There, both of them spent years working in the agricultural industry, and after 18 years of living in Bogotá and accumulating savings, they made the decision of buying land of their own. So they bought a farm on the way from Manizales to Medellín and my dad finally became a member at the Federation where he had worked his first job. 

 

Photo: My dad and I overlooking the Colombian mountains at our farm.

3. My Mother: Luz Elena

My mom also comes from Manizales, where she grew up in a lively household with five siblings. She didn't know what she wanted to study in University, she didn't come from a farmer family, but she knew she liked being outside. She decided to try out agronomical engineering, and there she met my dad. 

My mom ended up taking on a more technical path, while my dad focused on commercial roles. One of my mom's favourite jobs was her work at the Colombian Ministry of Environment, where she decided which fertilizers should be sold in Colombia based on their impact on soil and the environment. She has a great expertise in regulatory and import export affairs.

My mom is one of the funniest, smartest and warmest people I know. A true entrepreneur and visionary, she was the one who convinced my dad to buy the farm and today, due to her expertise in international trade is also the legal representative of our brand in Colombia. Her taste in coffee is exceptional, so if she likes the coffee, you know it is one of the best.

 

4. Me: Natalia

I was born and raised in Bogotá but spent nearly every weekend and holiday in Manizales or at the farm. As a teenager, I swore I wanted nothing to do with the family business—but look at me now 😉

After high school, I moved to Canada to study mathematics. I later completed a Master’s degree in Sweden before deciding not to pursue a PhD. That decision led me to Düsseldorf, where I’ve lived ever since and began my professional career.

So, how did I go from mathematics to coffee? It’s been a slow but steady journey. In Colombia, it’s common for children to start drinking coffee as early as five. Though my parents didn’t allow it, I always managed a few sips at my grandma’s or friends’ houses.

After moving abroad, I began to appreciate just how special Colombian coffee is. The quality I’d grown up with was hard to find elsewhere. For a long time, selling coffee felt more like a dream than a goal. I had heard my parents say countless times that the international price of coffee barely covers the cost of production, even with subsidies.

But things are changing. Today, the global market values premium coffee—coffee that’s high quality, traceable, and fairly traded. These are the same values our family and community have held for generations.

There is no better time than now to bring our coffee to the world.

Introducing 1280 Coffee

Our goal is to share the essence of our heritage and the richness of our land with the world.

1280 Coffee is:

• Single-origin: sourced exclusively from our family farm

• High-altitude: grown between 1,550 and 1,950 meters above sea level

• Fairly produced and sustainable: cultivated with respect for people and planet

Grown in Colombia’s lush Coffee Triangle, our beans benefit from ideal climate conditions and volcanic soil. The result is a wide range of flavor profiles—from bright citrus and fruity notes to rich chocolate, caramel, and nutty undertones.

Each variety is carefully cultivated to offer a perfect experience, whether you prefer a delicate pour-over or a bold espresso.

We’re proud to bring a piece of our history to your cup.

Welcome to 1280 Coffee.