Fazenda Califórnia – A Legacy in Paraná’s Coffee Culture
The history of Fazenda Califórnia is deeply intertwined with the coffee-growing heritage of Paraná. The North Pioneering Region of Paraná served as the gateway for coffee cultivation in the state, and the municipality of Jacarezinho was one of the first areas to be settled in the late 19th century.

The arrival of pioneers from São Paulo and Minas Gerais, fascinated by the fertility and topography of the land, marked the beginning of Paraná’s coffee cycle. Since then, the region has been recognized for its flat terrain, highly fertile volcanic soils, well-distributed rainfall throughout the year, and favorable temperatures. Located at 23º South latitude and 600 meters of altitude, the area has always been ideal for coffee cultivation.

A Historic Coffee Farm
In the 1920s, an American company called Leon & Israel acquired the land, which remains known today as Fazenda Califórnia. Under professional management, the farm gained global recognition among coffee buyers between the 1940s and 1980s.

During this period, a film titled “Pão de Açúcar” was filmed at the farm, featuring an American cast and crew, further highlighting the property’s significance. Records from that era, including financial and labor documents, original blueprints (stamped by the University of California), coffee plantation maps, soil analysis reports, and other historical artifacts, still exist today, showcasing the ambition and professionalism of the American investors.

A New Era of Excellence
In 2004, Fazenda Califórnia was acquired by the Saldanha Rodrigues family. Under the leadership of its president, Dr. Paulo Cesar Saldanha Rodrigues, and guided by the philosophy that “there is always room for improvement”, the farm entered a new era of coffee production, continuing its tradition of excellence.