April 19, 2011
Development of a new olive press moves one step closer to Yolo County.
The Yolo County Planning Commission has approved a conditional use permit for Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, allowing the development of a state-of-the-art olive mill for the region’s farmers. Our Tribe can now begin to prepare the ground for the facility along Highway 16 in Capay Valley. Construction will begin after the final plans are approved by the county.
The mill, which will be the first of its kind in the US, is being custom-manufactured in Italy and will feature the latest technology. To preserve the most flavor and the greatest health benefits, the milling process will allow minimal exposure to the air. This process will create a unique, premium extra virgin olive oil that will be as fresh as possible when bottled.
The new Yocha Dehe olive mill will enable olives grown by the Tribe and local farmers to be pressed quickly after harvest, preserving the freshness critical for creating premium olive oils. It will also limit the environmental footprint. Presently, the region’s olive farmers truck their fruit as far as 112 miles for access to a high quality mill. Our local mill will save fuel and reduce environmental impact. We are so pleased to bring this to the local community.