Vista al Valle (‘View of the valley’) is a micro mill owned and operated by husband and wife duo Oldermar and Marlene and their three sons. They established the mill in 2012 after learning the operation and management side from their neighbour’s mill many years prior. It now services their three farms; Zapote, Fidel and La Casa, aptly named as it surrounds their family home! The mill itself is no stranger to success, having processed multiple COE winning lots from the three family farms in its short history. Most remarkably Finca Fidel finished in first place in the Cup of Excellence 2013, in only its second year in operation. As for Las Casas, it has achieved a 7th and 10th place in COE, a remarkable achievement.

The family have a strong focus on environmental management (one of the sons is an agronomist), commiting to maintain protected native flora areas on all of their farms. They also undertake annual comprehensive soil analysis and low impact leaf rust prevention programs to ensure excellent quality without creating adverse environmental outcomes.

Producers: Oldemar Arrieta Lobo + Marlene Brenes Morera
Region: West Valley
Subregión: Alajuela
Town: Naranjo
Farm: Finca Las Casas
Micromill: Vista al Valle
Altitude (masl): 1500-1600
Farm size (ha): 20
Area under cultivation (ha): 15
Variety: Caturra/Catuai
Process: Honey