The name Engenho Cordeiro ('engenho' means sugar cane refinery) was documented first in 1850, the foundation stone for today's colonial architecture of the main house and stables was laid as early as 1867.

In 1900 the grand-father of today's owner acquired the farm and refinery which now belong to the family in the fourth generation! The refinery was in use until 1957; from then on the processing of sugar cane to sugar, molasses and alcohol was transferred to modern and effective large enterprises (usinas) due to economic reasons. Today only the old chimney remembers the long 'engenho' tradition.

Today Eco Resort RUC Fazenda Engenho Cordeiro's economic base are the cultivation of sugar cane and the breeding of Nelore cattle and Sta Inés sheep. A trip to Europe where they got to know different guest farms first-hand inspired the couple Uchoa Cavalcanti to open their farm for interested guests. In 2000 they started their own "Hospedagem Rural" business – a guest farm in rural surroundings.