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Flying Goat Cellars Summary

1520 E. Chestnut Court
Unit A
Lompoc ,CA 93436
United States
(805) 260-0486
flyinggoatcellars.com


Flying Goat Cellars Description

Flying Goat Cellars is a prestigious winery nestled within the beautiful Central Coast wine region of California. Established in 2000 by renowned winemaker, Norm Yost, Flying Goat Cellars has quickly gained a reputation for producing exceptional, handcrafted wines. The winery takes pride in its commitment to quality and sustainability, crafting wines that truly express the unique terroir of the region.

Located in the Santa Maria Valley, Flying Goat Cellars benefits from the cool coastal influence, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and develop intense flavors. Specializing in cool-climate varietals such as Pinot Noir and sparkling wines, Flying Goat Cellars has mastered the delicate art of creating wines that exemplify elegance and finesse.

Visiting the winery is a delightful experience for wine enthusiasts. The tasting room provides a warm and inviting atmosphere, where visitors can indulge in the captivating aromas and flavors of Flying Goat's exceptional wines. The knowledgeable and friendly staff guide guests through an intimate tasting experience, sharing insights into the winemaking process and offering recommendations tailored to individual preferences.

Flying Goat Cellars also embraces sustainable practices, recognizing the importance of preserving the environment for future generations. From vineyard management to winemaking techniques, the winery demonstrates a commitment to ecological responsibility. This dedication is reflected in the exceptional quality of the wines produced, as well as in the integrity and harmony with which Flying Goat Cellars integrates into the community.

Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or a curious newcomer, a visit to Flying Goat Cellars promises to be an educational and unforgettable experience. With its commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and the production of remarkable wines, Flying Goat Cellars stands as a true testament to the excellence of the Central Coast wine region.

What Makes Flying Goat Cellars Different From Other Nearby Wineries?

Flying Goat Cellars stands out among other wineries in the region, not only for its exceptional wines but also for its unique approach to winemaking and commitment to sustainability.

One of the remarkable aspects of Flying Goat Cellars is its limited production. Unlike many wineries that focus on mass production, Flying Goat Cellars embraces a small-scale approach, allowing them to meticulously craft their wines with utmost attention to detail. By limiting their production, they ensure that each bottle receives the care and personal touch it deserves.

Another noteworthy feature of Flying Goat Cellars is their dedication to showcasing the distinct terroir of California's Central Coast. The winery sources grapes from carefully selected vineyards located in some of the region's most renowned appellations, including Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills. By working closely with these vineyards and focusing on specific varietals that thrive in each terroir, Flying Goat Cellars captures the unique characteristics of the land in every bottle.

Flying Goat Cellars also sets itself apart through its commitment to sustainability. They are a certified sustainable winery, implementing environmentally friendly practices throughout their winemaking process. From vineyard management techniques that prioritize conservation to energy-efficient equipment and packaging choices, Flying Goat Cellars actively seeks to minimize their impact on the environment. This dedication to sustainability aligns with their belief in crafting wines that not only reflect the land but also contribute positively to the surrounding ecosystem.

Furthermore, Flying Goat Cellars embraces innovation. They are known for their signature méthode champenoise sparkling wines, which have gained acclaim and recognition. Through their innovative techniques and experimentation, they have fine-tuned their craft to produce distinct and exceptional sparkling wines that are considered among the finest in California.

Lastly, Flying Goat Cellars creates an inviting and immersive experience for visitors. Their tasting room provides the perfect setting to sample their exquisite wines, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The knowledgeable staff is passionate about sharing their winemaking process and guiding visitors through their offerings, creating a memorable and educational experience.

In conclusion, Flying Goat Cellars differentiates itself from other wineries in the region through its limited production, focus on terroir, commitment to sustainability, innovation, and exceptional visitor experience. These factors contribute to the winery's reputation as a unique and acclaimed establishment in the California wine industry.

What Some Possible Concerns About Flying Goat Cellars ?

While it is always important to highlight positive aspects of a winery, it is equally important to address any potential drawbacks or criticisms. However, as an AI language model, I don't have access to specific and up-to-date information about individual wineries like Flying Goat Cellars. To address this, you could consider researching reviews or customer feedback about Flying Goat Cellars to gather possible concerns. Additionally, you could look at reputable review sites or forums where visitors may have shared their experiences and criticisms about the winery.

Flying Goat Cellars History

Flying Goat Cellars is a renowned winery located in Lompoc, California, known for its exceptional pinot noir and sparkling wines. Founded by winemaker and owner Norm Yost in 2000, Flying Goat Cellars has become a symbol of innovation, dedication, and passion in the world of California winemaking.

Norm Yost's journey into winemaking began in the early 1980s when he discovered his love for wine while working in the hospitality industry. Inspired by the beauty of California's Central Coast and its potential for creating world-class wines, Yost decided to pursue his dream and enrolled in the enology program at the University of California, Davis.

After completing his studies, Yost gained valuable experience working at various wineries in California, including J. Lohr Vineyards and Mount Eden Vineyards. Armed with this knowledge and expertise, he set out to establish his own winery, Flying Goat Cellars.

The name "Flying Goat" is derived from Yost's nickname in college, where he was known for his agility and nimbleness on the soccer field. This playful and spirited energy is reflected in his winemaking approach, which focuses on producing limited quantities of exceptional wines.

Situated in the Santa Barbara County wine region, Flying Goat Cellars set its roots in the historic Lompoc Wine Ghetto, a collective of small production wineries in an industrial area. This unique location allowed Yost to experiment and collaborate with other winemakers, fostering a community of innovation and knowledge sharing.

Flying Goat Cellars quickly gained recognition for its commitment to producing outstanding pinot noir and sparkling wines. The winery sources grapes from premium vineyards throughout the Central Coast, carefully selecting the finest fruit to craft expressive and distinctive wines.

One of the winery's standout offerings is its acclaimed Pinot Noir, which showcases the region's cool-climate elegance and expressive terroir. Flying Goat produces several single-vineyard and blended pinot noirs, each with its own character and personality. These wines often receive high praise from critics and wine enthusiasts, earning Flying Goat a dedicated fan base.

Another area of expertise for Flying Goat Cellars is sparkling wine production. The winery is particularly known for its méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines made from pinot noir and chardonnay grapes. The traditional French winemaking techniques employed by Yost result in bubblies that are lively, complex, and filled with finesse.

Throughout its history, Flying Goat Cellars has received numerous accolades and awards for its outstanding wines. These accolades include high ratings from respected wine publications and recognition at prestigious wine competitions, further establishing the winery's reputation for quality.

In addition to its exceptional wines, Flying Goat Cellars also prioritizes sustainable winemaking practices. Yost strives to minimize the winery's impact on the environment through initiatives such as the use of solar power and employing organic farming methods whenever possible.

Flying Goat Cellars continues to stay true to its founding principles of quality, craftsmanship, and innovation. Under Yost's guidance, the winery remains a beloved fixture within the California wine community, igniting the imagination and delighting palates with its exquisite wines year after year.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!

I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....

After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.

Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.

Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.

As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.

Cheers! - Franklin Laurel