Norman Yost, Winemaker & Proprietor

Winemaker Norm Yost is the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance 2025 Vintner of the Year. Yost is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of his brand Flying Goat Cellars, specializing in Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. He is the “OG” (Old GOAT) of bubbles in Santa Barbara County, renowned for pioneering the first sparkling wine program with his Goat Bubbles Rosé in 2005.

As Yost’s family of Goat Bubbles grew, he launched a bubbles wine club (Club Celebrate) and a bubbles tasting flight. His family of méthode champenoise sparklers now includes Crémant, Rosé, Brut Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs (2 expressions) and Pinot Meunier. Wine Enthusiast named his 2019 Goat Bubbles Ampelos Vineyard the “Best Blanc de Noirs.” His 2021 Goat Bubbles Pinot Meunier recently won CA State Fair Double Gold & Best of Show.

Yost graduated from the University of California, Davis with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies in 1981. During his 45+ vintages in the wine industry, he has worked for diverse wineries in Napa Valley, Russian River in Sonoma County, Margaret River in Western Australia and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. He refined his cool weather winemaking techniques in Santa Barbara County, where he has spent over half of his career. As the proprietor of his own business, Norm enjoys the freedom to focus on his passion for making award-winning vineyard designated Pinot Noir and méthode champenoise sparkling wine.

Yost is currently a board member of Allan Hancock College Viticulture and Oenology Program. He is a former board director and president of both World of Pinot Noir and Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance, a former board director of Santa Barbara Vintners, as well as a former winemaking instructor at Allan Hancock College. He's an active member of both Lompoc Valley Beekeepers Association and Village Dirt Bags (mountain biking club).