Our Story
Nestled atop the gently rolling hills of Uba, just east of Traverse City proper, Yuba Vineyards is more than just a winery; it’s a connection to the land, to tradition, and to the future.
Spanning 128 acres, our site offers stunning sunset views over East Bay Grand Traverse, stretching along the full length of Old Mission Peninsula. But it’s not just the breathtaking scenery that sets us apart—it’s our commitment to quality, from the vine to the bottle.
Growing exceptional fruit and crafting award-winning wines is akin to nurturing a family legacy. It’s about passing down values of humility, hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and persistence—qualities that span generations and endure the test of time. Each vine, each bottle, is a labor of love, a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence.
At Yuba Vineyards, we understand that true greatness is measured in decades, not days. It’s about finding balance, harmony between the old and the new, the traditional and the innovative. And it’s in this balance that we find our purpose: to create wines that capture the essence of our land and the spirit of our heritage.
In our quest to balance tradition with innovation, Yuba Vineyards took a significant step forward with the creation of our custom crush facility. This state-of-the-art facility is more than just a place to produce wine; it’s a symbol of our commitment to quality and collaboration. Designed to accommodate both our own production and that of other aspiring winemakers, it fosters a spirit of community and shared passion for the art of winemaking.
Yuba Vineyards also recently announced the extension of our vineyard by an additional 12 acres. This expansion is more than just an increase in size; it represents our dedication to enhancing the diversity and quality of our grape varieties. Each new vine planted is a step towards a richer, more robust portfolio of wines that continue to embody the spirit of our land.
William Saputo, our esteemed owner and guiding force, is the embodiment of this vision. His passion and dedication continue to shape Yuba Vineyards, inspiring us to honor the land, the craft, and the timeless traditions that define us. Today, as we stand on the shoulders of his legacy, we raise our glasses in gratitude—to the past, the present, and the future of Yuba Vineyards.
- VINEYARD & ORCHARD STARTED BY KEN AND JAN ENGLE
- PURCHASED BY WILLIAM SAPUTO & FAMILY
- 2 ACRE ANN RILEY EXPANSION
- REBRANDED FROM ROYAL STAG FARMS INTO YUBA VINEYARDS
- 12 ACRE EXPANSION
- CUSTOM CRUSH FACILITY CONSTRUCTION 12 ACRE VINEYARD EXPANSION / 10 ACRE CIDER APPLE ORCHARD
- INSTALLED WINERY EQUIPMENT RACK
- OUR FIRST ESTATE VINTAGE TASTING ROOM UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- 12 ACRE VINEYARD EXPANSION
- 10 ACRE CIDER APPLE ORCHARD
- TASTING ROOM OPENING IN SPRING
Cornel Olivier, our winemaker and vineyard manager, hails to us all the way from South Africa. Born and raised in Stellenbosch, South Africa (near Cape Town), Cornel started his career at a young age by working side by side with his grandfather on the family farm. His love for all things agriculture led to him pursuing a career in the wine industry. After high school he attended and graduated from Elsenburg Agricultural college in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
After working for two wineries in the Stellenbosch area, he moved to Traverse City on an exchange program. Since his departure from South Africa in 1999, Cornel has proved to be a world-class winemaker. His demonstrated understanding of the intricacies of cool climate grape-growing and winemaking has led to his overall success in the industry. He has over 30 years of viticulture and wine making experience and have started several successful wineries in northern Michigan.
His wine philosophy is simple – wine making starts in the vineyards. “Exceptional wines are made from exceptional grapes”, which is why Cornel is meticulous, patient, and methodical when it comes to the vines.
I am 25 years old and I have lived in TC all my life. I love to hunt, race my RC car and even race a car in bump-n-run races and tough trucks. I have always wanted to work in the excavation/construction field and I have several years of experience. I love animals and have had dogs, cats and a horse. I am glad to be part of the Royal Stag team.
My experience that brought me to stag was having a small family homestead where I raised various types of animals and was looking to expand my knowledge in the world of farming and growing crops.
For stag I am vineyard manager/ grounds manager where I oversee all things vineyard related. I also maintain the grounds of all stag properties.
Hobbies outside of stag are hunting, fishing, snowboarding, bike riding, and going on various adventures with my family.
I’m married and 2 beautiful kids.
Will is the owner of Royal Stag Aviation and has always loved flying. Driven by his passion for aviation, Will established Royal Stag Aviation to provide exceptional flight experiences in Northern Michigan.
He is dedicated to ensuring that his clients receive the highest levels of safety, comfort, and enjoyment during their flights. His expertise and passion for aviation are the driving forces behind the company’s success, and he is committed to providing exceptional flight experiences for years to come!
Jenn brings a wealth of experience and leadership to Royal Stag Aviation as the Executive Manager. With a strong background in aviation management, she oversees day-to-day operations and ensures that every detail meets the high standards of excellence that Royal Stag Aviation is known for.
Jenn’s expertise in customer relations and strategic planning has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and maintaining its stellar reputation in the aviation industry. Her passion for aviation and commitment to delivering top-tier service make her a valuable asset to both the team and clients alike
