Art Of Espresso Specialty Coffee

Since its pioneering foray into coffee way back in 1996, with its mantra of “changing the way coffee is perceived in the bush”, Adrian & Gabrielle Capra, founders of independent specialty coffee brand, Art of Espresso, continue a dedicated focus on direct trade with a firm belief towards ethical and sustainable business practices, whilst allowing the brand to focus on its expertise, that being the coffee, barista training and customer relations.

Art of Espresso was born as an independent business via their first mobile coffee cart. The intrepid coffee nomads took to the road sharing their passion and making top shelf espresso coffee at many and varied events.

This passion translated to a state and national contract, representing a major international coffee brand at major high profile events such as Fashion Week, Donna Hay Masterclasses, Emirates Marquee Bird Cage Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington Victoria, Easter Racing Carnival Randwick, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Rugby World Cup Launch 2003 Luna Park, Italian Film Festival in Sydney, Sydney Fine Food at Hyde Park, NSW Art Gallery, Holden Monaro Launch with Peter Brock, Sydney University Open Week, William Inglis Thoroughbred Yearling Sales Randwick…just to name a few!

Adrian and Gabrielle Capra, owners and founders of Art of Espresso & Short Black Productions

After a life changing trip to the spiritual home of espresso…Italy, the coffee nomads returned inspired again to further their dedication to the mantra. A huge decsion was made in 2003. Just after the birth of their first child, the Capras decided to relinquish the safety of the contract, which kept them fed, and decided to go 100% solo.

Early signs of respect to roots now became all consuming…the solo decision cemented this very deep faith. The future would now be entirely in the hands of Art of Espresso and the direction the business would take on from now on. With this faith came courage, a hell of a lot of nerves and sleepless nights and in 2005, along came the families second child to join the party keeping them well on their toes!

Adrian and Gabrielle began roasting coffee for the first time in early 2005 with a 3kg Diedrich roaster in a purpose built shed on their property in Greenethorpe, Central NSW.

With fresh roasted coffee and a newly created first blend…the Caffe Royale, under their belt, Art of Espresso continued to travel, make coffee, make friends, make babies whilst preaching and teaching the espresso coffee gospel to the bush and anyone who’d care to listen.

Throughout this journey, Adrian went on to establish the 1st TAFE Barista school in Orange, Country NSW whilst becoming a member and regional trainer through AASCA.

During this time Art of Espresso created their second and award winning blend, the Caffe Grande. Both blends were now winning medals at the SRFF Coffee Comp and fittingly, their first blend, the Caffe Royale, went on to win the brand’s first Gold Medal at the 2007 Golden Bean.

Exposure of Art of Espresso coffee continued via positive media, national awards and Adrian’s commitment to visiting customers coupled with a need to train potential budding baristas and new wholesale customers on how to make exceptional coffees. With an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Adrian and Gabrielle began their quest to further improve the quality of their own coffees, this time from the ground up.

2007 saw them travel to Byron Bay and establish their first ever direct farm relationship which continues today. With two children now on board the espresso train, 2008 welcomed their third child to the gig…three busy, busy little monkeys under five…what a party!!