Yates Cider Mill finished second among Metro Detroit's best cider mills in ClickOnDetroit's 2026 Vote 4 The Best competition, with results announced Wednesday, Aug. 12. The 163-year-old Rochester Hills landmark on Avon Road beat out hundreds of nominees across the region.

Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada took the top spot. Franklin Cider Mill in Bloomfield Hills, Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill and Spicer Orchards in Fenton rounded out the top five.

The contest drew more than 163,000 votes across 80 categories during its finalist phase, with Metro Detroiters voting once per day from June 22 through July 20.

Michigan's oldest cider mill

Yates has been pressing cider along the Clinton River since the mid-1870s, when the property was still part of Avon Township, according to the mill's history. Caroline S. Yates purchased the original 80 acres in 1863, and the family added apple cider pressing by 1876. The current mill building dates to 1894, when a 26-inch water turbine was installed to power the press.

That turbine still generates power for cider pressing.

Harry Yates, grandson of the founders, introduced donuts in the 1930s. The Posey family took over in 1959, and current owners Katie and Mike Titus assumed operations in 2006. Katie is the daughter of former owner Les Posey and grew up working at the mill.

The mill earned the Earl Borden Historic Preservation Award from the Rochester Hills Historic Districts Commission in 1991 and a Michigan Historical Marker in 2013.

Fall season opens Sept. 4

Yates announced on its Facebook page that pre-season half-gallon orders have already sold out and that fall cider season begins Friday, Sept. 4. Fall hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Beyond cider and donuts, the mill offers the Yates River Walk, pony rides, a petting zoo, an ice cream shop, baked goods and an apple tent. The property connects to hiking and biking trails along the Clinton River. Yates Cider Mill is at 1990 E. Avon Road, Rochester Hills. More information is available at yatescidermill.com or by calling (248) 651-8300.

With pre-season inventory already gone and more than 6,000 positive Google reviews backing the mill's reputation, the Sept. 4 opening looks set to draw crowds along the Clinton River once again.