Southern Roasting Co., a Manjimup-based coffee brand run by Ian and April Pinta, has been delighting locals and visitors alike since 2018. With their deep-seated passion for coffee, this husband-and-wife team turned their curiosity about the coffee process into a full-scale business, roasting beans sourced from quality farms and bringing premium coffee experiences to the Southern Forests region. Having worked on and off in the industry for over 25 years, they have honed their skills in the art of roasting, blending, and brewing.
What started as a small operation in a farm shed with their first roaster has grown into a vibrant coffee shop on Giblett Street. Southern Roasting Co. (SRCo) quickly became a local favourite for its distinct blends—Nocturnal, Wildwood, and Hush Hush—all crafted from three different origins, each offering unique flavour profiles that appeal to a range of coffee lovers. Whether visiting the shop for a fresh brew or taking home their favourite whole bean or ground coffee, customers have come to appreciate the consistency and care poured into every cup. The shop has gained a loyal following, with many visitors returning for the familiar faces and the quality products on offer.
Ian and April's approach to sourcing coffee beans mirrors the values that resonate throughout the Southern Forests region: sustainability and ethical practices. Coffee, much like the fruits and vegetables grown in the area, is a seasonal product in their countries of origin (such as Ethopia and Brazil), and the Pintas take pride in selecting beans from farms that have had a strong season, ensuring that their products meet the highest standards. With 20 tonnes of coffee beans roasted each year, SRCo plays a significant role in providing fresh, locally roasted coffee not just to the local community but to stockists and online customers across Australia.
For the Pintas, Southern Roasting Co. is not just a business, but a hub for connection. The café has become a local gathering point where customers can meet up with friends, catch up with colleagues, or simply enjoy a peaceful moment with a cup of coffee. The Pintas believe that working and living in the Southern Forests brings a unique sense of connection to both the land and the people, something that is reflected in their commitment to supporting local producers. Their shop is stocked with pantry items from small-scale producers in Western Australia, with an emphasis on local, family-run businesses. From pickles to honey, SRCo is as much about celebrating the local food culture as it is about serving exceptional coffee.
Their product line doesn’t stop at blends like Nocturnal, Wildwood, and Hush Hush. SRCo also offers a rotating range of single-origin coffees that showcase the diverse flavours of beans from around the world. Visitors can experience these distinct coffees at the shop, or order them online to be delivered directly to their homes. The business’s ever-growing wholesale side further ensures that SRCo’s products can be enjoyed at venues across the South West.
The shop has introduced innovations to streamline its roasting and packaging operations as the business has grown, upgrading equipment to improve workflow efficiency. However, despite these advancements, the personal touch remains at the heart of Southern Roasting Co. Ian and April take pride in grinding small batches of fresh coffee for customers in-store and offering tips on how best to prepare coffee at home. They recommend simple methods like pour-over or French press, both of which can result in a great cup of coffee and make the preparation process feel rewarding and relaxing.
Their tips for achieving the perfect brew? It all starts with using the right grind for your chosen brewing method, and SRCo’s team is always ready to help customers select the ideal grind for their needs.
The impact of living and working in the Southern Forests region is not lost on the Pintas. For them, the pace of life and the proximity to nature create the perfect environment for fostering creativity and connection. The Southern Forests community is tight-knit, and being part of that fabric allows the Pintas to run a business that isn’t just about coffee but about relationships and shared experiences. Ian and April’s enthusiasm for their region, and their business’s role within it, is infectious. As Ian puts it, "Any season in the Southern Forests is better than a season in the city."
Whether you’re stopping by for your morning espresso or purchasing a bag of beans to enjoy at home, Southern Roasting Co. offers much more than just coffee. It’s a space for connection, a celebration of quality, and a testament to the Southern Forests’ way of life. You can find SRCo’s coffee at their shop on Giblett Street in Manjimup, as well as through their network of stockists and their online store. To explore their full range of products, including their single-origin coffees and blends, or to place an order, visit the Southern Roasting Co. website today.
Photographs supplied by Southern Roasting Co.
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