Norm Yost Awarded "Vintner of the Year" by Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance
Flying Goat Cellars Winemaker/Founder Norm Yost was awarded Sta. Rita Hills 2025 "Vintner of the Year" at the Sta. Rita Hills Wine & Fire La Paulée Dinner on August 15th. The event was held at Babcock Winery. Kathy Joseph, Peter Work, Karen Steinwachs, Bryan Babcock, Marty New and I (Kate Griffith) all spoke on Norm's behalf. We enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner catered by High on the Hog. Wines for the dinner tables were hosted by member wineries and in the spirit of La Paulée, guests shared their special bottles. We had memorable 2000 & 2004 Flying Goat, 2009 Fiddlehead Lallapalooza 5 liter, 1978 Burgundy, 2005 Chateau Margaux and 1957 Barolo. A great time was had by all! Thanks to all who made it a success!
Norm Yost’s career in the wine industry began at Silver Oak & Monticello in Napa Valley, after graduating from U.C. Davis in 1981. He’s been handcrafting his own brand Flying Goat Cellars since 2000. His brand Goat Bubbles was Santa Barbara County’s first méthode champenoise sparkling wine program in 2005, and now offers six unique expressions.
Yost recently released 2021 Pinot Noir Wine of Wisdom to celebrate his milestone Silver Anniversary. He commented, “Flying Goat Cellars is a culmination of my diverse experiences in the wine industry, from Napa, Sonoma, Oregon, Australia to Santa Barbara County. Wine of Wisdom gives tribute to my personal 45-year journey in the wine industry.”
The Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance was formed in 1997, to unify growers and winemakers in the Western Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County. In 2001, Sta. Rita Hills attained American Viticultural Area (AVA) status acknowledging its specific features for growing cool climate wine grape varieties. Yost joined the Alliance in 2004, and later served on the Board of Directors.