Profile Overview
Established in 1898 beside the River Cauvery, Riverside Estate is a century-old story being retold with innovation by Rishwin Devaya, the current generation overlooking it. Apart from growing exceptional Arabica and Robusta, it is also serving as a destination for coffee tourism, giving people a glimpse of the meticulous process and hardwork that goes behind every cup made with their coffee.
Riverside Estate, a historic coffee plantation in Coorg, India, embodies over a century of dedication to coffee cultivation. Established in 1898 beside the River Cauvery by Chendanda Karumbayya, this estate has been passed down through five generations, transitioning into a coffee plantation in 1932. Now led by Rishwin Devaya, Riverside Estate grows Arabica and Robusta coffees, renowned for their distinct flavours and aromatic qualities that reflect Coorg's regional essence.
"We were always growing coffee; we have a 100-year-old legacy. But we were not drinking the coffee from this estate. The first goal was to be able to drink a good cup of coffee from the beans produced here,”Riswin says.
It was in 2014 when Rishwin was hit with an epiphany that the family is overlooking the estate's potential. Having worked in the wine industry, he understood that the foundation of a well-established coffee business is high quality coffee plants.
“I fundamentally understood that as a farmer, it all starts with us," he explains. “You can’t make good wine from bad grapes, right? So I started focusing on the plants to help me get a better cup of coffee.”
Sun drying of coffee beans at Riverside Estate.
I fundamentally understood that as a farmer, it all starts with us. You can’t make good wine from bad grapes, right?
- Rishwin Devaya
The Art of Coffee at Riverside Estate
At Riverside Estate, coffee cultivation starts with handpicking the ripest cherries, ensuring that only the best make it through to the next stages. These cherries are processed through pulping, fermenting, drying, and roasting, preserving their distinctive flavours. After drying, the beans are carefully graded, and only those meeting high standards are roasted to bring out the rich, caramelised aromas that define Riverside coffee.
This commitment to quality is further reflected in the estate's efforts to produce consistent, high-quality coffee at scale. Riverside balances excellence with accessibility, employing efficient practices that allow them to meet demand while supporting the broader Coorg community. By prioritising quality at every step, from cherry to cup, the estate ensures its coffee remains special, even in larger volumes.
Riverside’s integrated approach—managing everything from cultivation to roasting and branding—gives them full control over the entire coffee process. While this approach requires significant investment, it enables them to offer transparency and maintain consistency, fostering strong connections with customers and ensuring a high-quality, traceable product every time.
Rishwin Devaya is reimagining his family heirloom with Riverside Estate
A misty day amid the lush green coffee gardens of Riverside
Estate as a Coffee Tourism Destination
Riverside Estate also serves as a destination for coffee tourism, inviting visitors into the heart of coffee cultivation and processing. Inspired by the charm of vineyard tourism, the estate welcomes guests to stay amidst the sprawling coffee plantations, where the air is filled with the rich scent of ripening cherries and the hum of nature. As guests stroll through the rows of vibrant green coffee plants, they’re guided through the picking and processing stages, experiencing firsthand the meticulous care behind each bean.
Through immersive tours, tastings, and hands-on experiences, visitors can witness the transformation of the coffee from tree to cup, gaining a deeper connection to the beverage they enjoy. The estate’s lush surroundings, with the River Cauvery gently flowing nearby, add a serene backdrop to the journey, creating a bridge between consumers and the origins of their coffee. Riverside Estate enriches their appreciation, offering a comprehensive and sensory exploration of Coorg’s rich coffee heritage.
Here's why Rishwin feels coffee tourism is an important part of Riverside Estate
Enjoying a cup of coffee while watching the sunset by the Riverside Estate
What's Next
Looking to the future, Riverside Estate aims to inspire other coffee producers in Coorg and beyond. By sharing knowledge and best practices, the estate encourages neighbouring farms to adopt quality improvements, fostering a community-driven approach to elevate the entire region’s coffee production. This dedication to collective progress underscores Riverside Estate’s dual role as both a coffee producer and a steward of Coorg’s agricultural legacy.
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