Who Are We?
“We are writing
the Copey Wine Book”
Niv Benyehuda
Founder
Making the Impossible Possible
The idea of producing exceptional grapes in Costa Rica, a country whose tropical climate does not favor natural grape cultivation, seemed impossible.
However, the sublime environment of the Copey de Dota mountains, endowed with a microclimate that compensates for the humidity of the rest of the country, the extraordinary soil rich in rocks and minerals, and the natural spring waters of the area made it seem like the perfect place to embark on this extraordinary adventure.
Today, after many attempts and thanks to the great effort of our viticulturist and our agricultural team, we have managed to plant more than 35,000 vines on 15 hectares of land, always employing the best and most sophisticated agricultural practices so that our wines receive the best possible nutrients, because our commitment is to create admirable wines of the highest quality.
Our Founders
Niv Benyehuda & Karen Retana
Creators of the first and only international-level vineyard in Costa Rica and the world’s only physalis liqueur.
Serrano Family
The Serrano family has been a fundamental part of Copey Estate Winery since its inception, contributing their passion and knowledge to every area of the project. Rolando Serrano leads the overall vision and direction; Andrés Serrano, assistant manager and Costa Rica’s first winemaker, is in charge of wine production; Mateo Serrano directs viticulture and vineyard management; Miriam Serrano leads brand communication and marketing; Sebastián Blanco creates culinary experiences and visitor services; and Melissa Mora is responsible for commercial relations, bringing Copey’s experiences and products to clients and strategic partners.
Our Story is Marked by Magic and Perseverance
In the heart of Costa Rica, we found a magical place to adapt grape plants to create a wonderful, beneficial, and positive project for the country: the cultivation of wine grapes.
What began as a dream is now a reality, and we have achieved it not without
stumbling and getting back up again.
For the first time, the country bears witness to its first commercial winery, located in the
Talamanca Mountain Range in the small town of Copey, south of San José.
Our wines are born in a tropical climatic zone where science deems them impossible and at a latitude unsuitable for these crops; that is why they are categorized as Extreme Wines, which are those produced in unexpected places with extreme climate and soil characteristics such as deserts, mountainous or rocky areas, or places with harsh winters.
This allows us to harvest fruits with unique flavors that give way to singular, exceptional wines with extraordinary personalities.
Situated at an approximate altitude of 7,546 feet (2,300 meters) above sea level, Copey has clean, fresh air; the high radiation on sunny days, the cold nights, and the atypical soil of the area provide us with optimal elements for the balanced development of the fruits’ sugars, polyphenols, colors, and acids.
These conditions allow us to create incredible flavors for the production of our wines and other products.
Experience Copey
Discover Costa Rica’s first commercial vineyard and experience firsthand the history, landscape, and wines born in these mountains.