This California Olive Farm Sells Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil And Farm-Grown Specialties Perfect For Holiday Cooking

A Native American Tribe grows, mills, and bottles its own extra virgin olive oil here. It’s the only known Indigenous Tribe doing that commercially, and the tastings are free.

The oil gets pressed on Italian machinery from Florence. The mill sits inside a huge farm that also raises walnuts, almonds, asparagus, honey, and Angus beef.

I like how one stop can stock an entire holiday pantry. Roasted vegetables, a cheese board, stuffing, and a gift for the host could all come from the same shelves in Northern California.

The view helps too. Blue hills roll above the orchards, and those hills gave this place its name.

The Olive Oil Here Comes With A Story Thousands Of Years Old

Olive oil usually doesn’t come with a family tree. At Séka Hills Olive Mill and Tasting Room, it comes with an entire homeland.

The business is owned and operated by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, a sovereign Native American Tribe in Northern California.

The Tribe has lived in the Capay Valley for thousands of years. After being forced off these lands in past centuries, they worked to regain and care for parts of their ancestral territory.

Farming started on that land in 2003. Early crops were practical choices like wheat, alfalfa, and sunflowers.

Olive trees came along in 2008. The mill followed in 2012, which means the oil on the shelves traveled a very short trip from tree to bottle.

That detail matters more than it sounds. Séka Hills is recognized as the only known Indigenous Tribe to commercially grow, mill, and produce extra virgin olive oil.

So a bottle here isn’t just a pantry staple. It’s a small piece of a big comeback, and it makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves to cook.

Those Blue Hills Aren’t Just Pretty, They Named The Place

Here’s a vocabulary lesson you’ll actually remember. The word Séka means blue in the Patwin language.

Look up from the orchards and the reason becomes obvious. Rolling hills with a bluish tint rise above the valley, and they overlook the Tribe’s ancestral homeland.

I love when a name explains itself the second you see the view. No marketing team needed for that one.

The tasting room sits right among the trees, so the scenery isn’t something you drive to separately. It surrounds you from the parking lot onward.

Outdoor seating lets you soak up the setting with a snack. A pergola area adds shade, which helps on those bright California afternoons.

Winter visits bring a different charm. The hills and orchards make a calm backdrop when holiday errands start feeling a little frantic.

Bring a camera, or at least a charged phone. Photos of olive trees against blue hills make a much better holiday card than another blurry shot of the dog in a sweater.

Then head inside, because the oil is waiting.

A 14,000-Square-Foot Mill That Blends Old Wood And New Ideas

Big is the first word that comes to mind. The tasting room lives inside a 14,000-square-foot olive mill facility.

Size alone doesn’t make it interesting, though. The design uses local materials and reclaimed wood, so older elements share space with eco-friendly technology.

The building was planned to fit into the surrounding farmscape. Instead of shouting from the roadside, it blends in with the fields and trees.

Inside, the space feels open and bright. Indoor seating gives you a spot to rest if the weather turns chilly.

The real star hides in the working side of the building. Séka Hills uses state-of-the-art milling machinery from Florence, Italy.

Pressing olives on site helps protect the oil’s quality. Less travel time between harvest and pressing is a smart move for anything labeled extra virgin.

The mill also offers milling services to other local farmers. That makes it a helpful neighbor in Yolo County, not just a shop.

Honestly, it’s rare to buy olive oil in the same building where it was made. That alone makes the trip feel worth it.

Free Tastings Make Picking A Favorite Oil Way Too Easy

Free is a beautiful word. Olive oil tastings at Séka Hills Olive Mill and Tasting Room cost nothing, which removes any excuse to skip them.

The lineup includes certified extra virgin olive oils, and many have won awards. Tasting them side by side shows how different one oil can be from the next.

Some taste mild and buttery. Others bring a peppery kick at the back of your throat, which is a sign of fresh, quality oil.

Balsamic vinegars join the tasting too. Pairing a fruity oil with a rich balsamic gives you an instant idea for a holiday salad dressing.

Staff can explain which oils suit which foods. That advice comes in handy when you’re planning a big meal and want each dish to shine.

Here’s a practical tip for holiday cooks. Use a gentle oil for baking or roasting, then save a bold one for drizzling over finished dishes.

Take notes on your phone as you taste. Otherwise, you’ll stand at the shelf later wondering which green bottle was the one you loved.

Your Holiday Pantry Could Basically Shop Itself Here

Walnuts, almonds, wildflower honey, and pickled asparagus all line up beside the oil. That’s half a holiday menu before you even reach the checkout.

The Tribe manages more than 25,000 acres and grows over a dozen crops. That variety shows up right on the store shelves.

Nuts are a holiday workhorse. Toss walnuts into stuffing, fold almonds into cookies, or set out seasoned nuts when guests arrive early.

Wildflower honey works almost everywhere. Brush it over roasted carrots or drizzle it on a cheese board for a little sweetness.

Pickled asparagus might be the sleeper hit. It adds a tangy crunch to appetizer trays, and it’s a fun change from plain old pickles.

The freezer section carries fresh-frozen beef from the Tribe’s Angus herd. A holiday roast with local roots sounds like a pretty good centerpiece.

Shopping this way feels easier than juggling five stores. You get flavors that actually came from the land outside the window.

Just leave some trunk space. Those jars and bags add up faster than you’d expect.

Lunch At The Deli Keeps The Tasting From Turning Into A Snack Attack

Sampling oil on bread cubes can leave you hungrier than when you started. Luckily, a deli sits right inside the tasting room.

The menu features fresh seasonal salads, sandwiches, charcuterie, and other snacks. It’s a simple lineup that lets local ingredients do the talking.

A charcuterie board makes a great match for a slow afternoon. Share it with a friend while you debate which olive oil deserves a spot on your holiday table.

Salads change with the seasons. That’s a nice touch when the farm around you is doing the same thing.

Patio seating lets you eat with orchard views. Indoor tables work just as well on cooler winter days.

The deli also gives you a sneak peek at flavor ideas. Notice how the oils and vinegars show up in the food, then borrow the trick for your own kitchen.

One tip worth remembering is timing. The tasting room closes at 5 p.m., so arrive earlier if lunch is part of your plan.

Nobody wants to discover the kitchen is done right when the hunger kicks in.

Gift Shopping Gets A Lot Less Stressful Among These Shelves

Every family has that one person who already owns everything. Séka Hills Olive Mill and Tasting Room might have the answer.

The retail area stocks pantry staples, cookbooks, and gifts for the home and kitchen. Ready-made gift boxes make wrapping almost optional.

Body care products sit on the shelves too. They’re a nice pick for someone who’d rather pamper themselves than cook.

Gift cards solve the toughest cases. Let the picky foodie choose their own favorite oil.

I believe local gifts land better than generic ones. A bottle pressed in the Capay Valley carries a story you can share as it’s opened.

Pair an award-winning olive oil with a balsamic vinegar and a cookbook. Suddenly you’ve built a thoughtful present without wandering a crowded mall.

Teachers, neighbors, and hosts all appreciate something useful. Good oil gets used, unlike that fifth scented candle sitting in a closet.

Plan ahead for the holiday rush and shop early in the season. The tasting room opens Wednesday through Sunday, so weekday visits are possible for anyone avoiding weekend traffic.

Behind The Shelves Sits A Farm That Takes Care Of Its Land

Recycled olive juice watering the fields? Yep, that really happens here.

The farm reuses olive juice and wash water for irrigation. It’s one of many ways the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation cares for its land.

Drip irrigation saves water across the orchards. The farm also uses surface water from Cache Creek.

Native hedgerows get planted along the fields. Invasive species get removed, and riparian corridors along waterways get restored.

Pesticide use stays limited, and organic cover crops help the soil. More than 1,200 acres are set aside as a conservation easement.

Guided tours of the mill and orchards are available, especially for groups of ten or more. A tour makes a fun outing for family visiting over the holidays.

Kids and grown-ups both tend to enjoy seeing how olives become oil. It turns a shopping trip into a mini field lesson.

Call ahead to arrange a group tour. Then you’ll understand exactly why that bottle in your cart tastes so fresh, and you might feel good about buying it too.

A Scenic Drive Ends At A Spot Built For Gatherings

Country roads lead the way to 19326 County Road 78 in Brooks, CA 95606. The route winds through the Capay Valley in Yolo County, California.

Plenty of parking waits at the end of the drive. That’s a relief when you’re hauling holiday supplies back to the car.

The tasting room also doubles as an event venue. It hosts weddings, private celebrations, corporate retreats, classes, and meetings.

Up to 150 guests can fit in the main space. A private conference room handles smaller groups of up to eight people.

Outdoor areas can be reserved too. A holiday party surrounded by olive trees sounds a lot more festive than a dim office break room.

Hours run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Mondays and Tuesdays are closed, so plan around them.

Can’t make the drive? Séka Hills opened a second tasting room in Midtown Sacramento in summer 2024.

Still, the Brooks location offers something a city storefront can’t. You get the orchards, the mill, and those famous blue hills all in one stop.