Lompoc, CA (September 20, 2023) – Wine Institute’s California Wine Month is in full force and Flying Goat Cellars is participating with a Harvest Luncheon and Barrel Tasting this Saturday, September 23, from 11am-2pm. Flying Goat invites guests to enjoy the aromatics of the harvest season inside the doors at their winery located in Lompoc. “Delight your senses with a sparkling wine reception, followed by a barrel tasting and a luncheon served with current release wines.
Harvest 2023 is several weeks late across the state. Flying Goat began harvest for their sparkling wine program on September 5th with Pinot Meunier from Riverbench Vineyard. This is their third vintage of Goat Bubbles Pinot Meunier; they launched their first release (2021) this month to wine club members only. The extra brut sparkler is already popular and was quickly dubbed “Barbie Bubbles” due to the playful pink label and wax top.
This week Flying Goat harvested Chardonnay from Rio Vista Vineyard for Goat Bubbles Blanc de Blancs. This will be their first vintage of Blanc de Blancs since 2016. The still wine fruit will be even later in reaching peak sugar and pH levels. The extremely cool and damp weather in the Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley AVAs continues to create atypical harvest conditions.
In 2000, Flying Goat Cellars was launched by Winemaker Norm Yost while he was the winemaker at Foley Estate Winery. Yost launched his sparkling wine program, Goat Bubbles, in 2005. He currently offers six expressions of méthode champenoise bubbles. Yost also specializes in Santa Barbara County vineyard designated Pinots. Tasting flights of Goat Bubbles and Pinots are available at the tasting room Thursday-Monday 11am-4pm. Flying Goat Cellars Tasting Room is located at 1520 East Chestnut Court in Lompoc.
September is the 19th annual California Wine Month, a time to raise a glass to the state’s wine industry and celebrate its people, regions, wines and experiences. Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The organization works to protect the economic and environmental health of the state through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing and a partnership with Visit California to showcase California’s wine and food offerings and the state as a top travel destination. To learn more about California wines, visit Discover California Wines.
