Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Two pygmy goats, Never and Epernay, inspired Norm to name his winery Flying Goat Cellars. The goats were his pets and lawnmowers and came to be a source of entertainment and enjoyment, with their unrestrained spiral loops, flipper turns and straight-legged leaps. When pondering a name for his new wines and brand, Norm wanted to project fun, enjoyment, and happiness. While many people put their own name or their children’s name on their label or vineyard, Norm’s playful spirit opted to name it after his kids. His kids, of course, were those two pygmy goat pets, who had always inspired him and made him laugh.
Norm shared his passion with Kate Griffith by courting her with his first release of Goat Bubbles in 2006. We don’t know if it was the bubbles or the winemaker's charm but it culminated in a marriage and a family of wines.
Now Flying Goat Cellars produces about 2,500 cases a year and includes three labels: Flying Goat, Goat Bubbles and YNOT. Flying Goat focuses on vineyard designated Pinot Noirs and Pinot Gris. Goat Bubbles offers four vineyard designated sparkling wines: Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Crémant, all made in the traditional méthode champenoise with the secondary fermentation in the bottle. YNOT is Pinot Noir blended from the finest of Santa Barbara County vineyards.