Cuba : Visit to the farms - Hector Luis Prieto

[Nino]

During a conversation with Mr Portmann last year I had suggested, upon his enquiry, a visit and lunch at one of the most spectacularly beautiful tobacco plantations I have seen in the Vuelta Abajo.

Having arranged the visit to Hector Luis' farm last November I looked forward to this visit and in conclusion, although it rained hard and no walks could be undertaken around the farm, I believe that it was a welcome change for the group and a more real perspective of farm life and tobacco growing.

The logistics were a bit off from the start - being used to procure all beverages at the last petrol station in Pinar we found out that beer was no longer on sale there. Almost an hour later we had managed to buy 20 cans of warm beer from a state bar in town rushing back to the Robaina farm where we met the others.

It was Thomas Portmann who saved the day getting into the car with one of Hector's farmhands and driving to the next kiosk where, gracias Cuba & Thomas !, they hit gold and returned with some 30 more cans of cold Cristal.

Having something to wet our throats we proceeded to the more important issues, such as handing over to Hector a load of stuff for his farm and his workers there.

In November he had told me that we could best contribute with long-sleeved work shirts, leather work gloves, hats and caps, medicine for his horses and school material for the kids.

I had passed the list over to Mr Portmann and his sons and they had taken good care of all that, even the horse medicine had been kept refrigerated right until the handover at the farm.

Frank had brought a load of school materials for the nearby school and they were also gratefully received.

Then it was lunch time - the pig was ready.

No fancy service, we arranged the tables and seats, served ourselves from the delicious and finger-licking food and had a good time despite the drizzle.

After coffee and cigars we visited the tobacco barns and received all the information on the farm plus straight answers to many tobacco related questions to Hector.

As in former visits, I wished I could have stayed on for a few days at the farm ( like Rob and Andy did this time ) - alas, all I did was stay on for a few glasses of rum after everybody had left to enjoy the serenity of the place with Frank and Jo.

One day ...

Nino

For more pictures see : http://flyingcigar.de/travel-cigars/cuba-visit-to-the-farms-hector-luis-prieto/

[riazp]

Correct me if i'm wrong Nino, but wasn't he featured in a recent Cigar Aficionado issue? I think his farm was touted as the next great farm...like i said i might be off on this...

[Nino]

Correct me if i'm wrong Nino, but wasn't he featured in a recent Cigar Aficionado issue? I think his farm was touted as the next great farm...like i said i might be off on this...

I don't follow or read CA anymore for years, so I cannot say for sure - I think I saw an older copy of CA lying around at Hector's from '08 or '09 with a feature about him. Not recent for sure.

I might be wrong and Andy could know better having stayed there longer.

[riazp]

I don't follow or read CA anymore for years, so I cannot say for sure - I think I saw an older copy of CA lying around at Hector's from '08 or '09 with a feature about him. Not recent for sure.

I might be wrong and Andy could know better having stayed there longer.

It might be from that time frame. I'm pretty sure i've read about him previously. not that i matters really. Visit looks fantastic.

[Nino]

Riaz,

your comment intrigued me so I searched CA and found some recent reports on Hector ( last from Jan. 2011 ) - interesting as one of the reader's comments mentions this :

"Hector is well and is planing on launching his own brand of cigars in the near future. I was able to get a sneak peak of the upcoming labels and boxes! I have pictures that I would be more than happy to send you if you like"

See : http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/15788

Here's the Video - you can hear and see Punch Joe too :

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/videos/search/?searchterm=hector%20luis%20prieto&bctid=749689889001

And a portrait of Hector also from Jan. 2011 :

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/15806

Nino

[riazp]

Great stuff Nino. I knew i saw something about him. What a funny coincidence to see Jose on the video as well!

[Ryan]

Great stuff Nino. The time on that farm was one of the best times I've ever had in Cuba. We learned a lot from Hector.

I remember seeing that cA article from a couple of years ago.

I had seen this comment before

"Hector is well and is planing on launching his own brand of cigars in the near future. I was able to get a sneak peak of the upcoming labels and boxes! I have pictures that I would be more than happy to send you if you like"

But I've never seen any evidence of that. Neither Habanos nor Tabacuba would be too happy about that type of thing.

Although Hector has a bit of pull now, he was elected representative for San Juan y Martinez in the Cuban National Congress back in February.

[Nino]

Andy,

I envy you for that time in the farm - well done !!

As to those comments - I have never heard anything either, believe it highly unlikely and share your thoughts on HSA and TC not being happy. Not just that, it would be utterly impossible without them.

[Squarehead]

Just love those pictures,well done Nino.

[PigFish]

Nice report Nino, thanks for sharing. -R

[CanuckSARTech]

Very cool. Definitely remember reading those articles and whatnot about him over the past few years. Looks like both he and Hiroshi are going to be neck-and-neck in the "Next Alejandro Robaina" competition! Those two farms, and rightly so, have a fair bit of fame surrounding them now about their wrapper leaf, that's for sure.

The custom farmies from Hector's are wonderful stuff as well.

[Freefallguy]

Hi Nino-

Wonderful post. The afternoon we spent there in in November is an indelible memory. Hector(through Jose) was telling me of the effort he makes in helping local impoverished kids get an education. Very cool that you contributed not only to them but to the farmhands as well.

Bravo mein Freund.