Tabacalera A. Fuente

Arturo Fuente Co. was founded in 1912 by Arturo Fuente, in Ybor City, Florida. When the company was established, Arturo Fuente never dreamed his passion for cigars would become a global benchmark for the cigar industry. He started his company from humble beginnings, rolling and blending cigars in the back of his house with his wife Cristina and two sons, Carlos and Arturo. Four generations later, the company is still family owned and operated in the Dominican Republic.

Chateau de la Fuente, “Birthplace of a Dream”, is located in the village of Caribe, and is the home of the Fuente Family’s world-renown tobacco plantation.  There, the family established the Dominican Republic as a premium cigar wrapper growing location, with the Fuente Fuente OpusX, now one of the most acclaimed cigars ever produced.

The success of Chateau de la Fuente led to an important accomplishment for Carlito Fuente. While spending time there, he witnessed first-hand the enormous hardships that those living in Caribe experienced. There was no education, a scarcity of food, and even no safe drinkable water source. Inspired by the tremendous need of the Dominican people, and the humanitarian spirit and generosity of people all over the world, he co-founded the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, with the Newman Family, in 2001.

Fueled by the commitment to community and giving back, today, The Cigar Family community school provides free education to over 500 children, from pre-k to twelfth grade, as well as continued support throughout college and university. They provide a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost, as well as sports programs, organic farming areas, and a health program for the community. Along with the help of aficionados and retailers worldwide, Cigar Family is continuing its mission to improve the welfare of impoverished children in the Dominican Republic and worldwide… Changing the world, one child at a time.

CFCF has been recognized by the United Nations as a model for social responsibility in Latin America. In addition, it was recognized by the Dominican Government as a model for education in the Dominican Republic.

The Fuente Family’s philosophy has always been, “It’s not about cigars, it’s about the people.”

“All of us – manufacturers, retailers, and consumers – have benefitted greatly from the Dominican Republic. We must find a way to give back to people…” – Carlito Fuente