Norm Yost

The Climb

Training at University of California, Davis gave Norm Yost a formal base before he entered cellar work at Foley in Santa Barbara, California in 1998. That sequence matters: the schooling supplied method, and the early job put that method into practice. In 2004, he became a member at Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance in Sta. Rita Hills, California, placing his work inside a region that would stay central to it. Since 2000, Flying Goat Cellars has been his platform as founder and winemaker, and the title reflects the job itself — part production, part ownership, all tied to the daily discipline of making wine.

Today

Since 2000, Yost has guided Flying Goat Cellars as founder, winemaker and proprietor. That continuity gives the label a clear through-line, with each release reading as part of an ongoing body of work rather than a one-off statement. The focus is direct: Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. Those two categories define the house, with Pinot Noir carrying structure and detail, and sparkling wine bringing lift; the range stays tight, but the expression remains varied.

Career - founder and winemaker — Flying Goat Cellars (2000–present) - winemaking job — Foley, Santa Barbara, California (from 1998) - member — Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance, Sta. Rita Hills, California (from 2004) Education: University of California, Davis

Signature

The signature wines — Goat Bubbles Rosé, Silver Cuvée, and 2021 Pinot Noir Wine of Wisdom — map the label’s working range. Goat Bubbles Rosé points to the sparkling side of the house, Silver Cuvée suggests a composed blend, and 2021 Pinot Noir Wine of Wisdom sits squarely in the variety that anchors the portfolio. Read together, they show Yost working with wines that stay precise while allowing for distinct personalities.

In Their Words “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.”

FAQ What is Norm Yost's current role? As of 2026, Norm Yost is Winemaker and Proprietor. Where did Norm Yost train or study? Norm Yost trained at University of California, Davis. What recognition has Norm Yost received? Vintner of the Year (2025).