Sweet notes of cola and black cherry await those who pop open a bottle of Flying Goat Cellars’ newly released pinot noir, titled Celebrate Freedom. The Lompoc winery released this 2021 vintage on Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3) and is donating 40 percent of every purchase to the Return to Freedom wild horse sanctuary.
Flying Goat co-proprietor Kate Griffith said she’s been a big fan and friend of Return to Freedom founder Neda DeMayo for more than two decades.
“I have always had a connection with horses, so it was easy to fall in love with Neda, and what they are doing at [Return to Freedom] sanctuary,” Griffith said in an email interview. “I lived out on Jalama Road from 2003 to 2007, near Return to Freedom, and have enjoyed taking family and friends there for 22 years.”
A safe haven to about 400 wild horses and more than 20 burros, the Return to Freedom sanctuary in Lompoc is famously the home of Spirit—the mustang who DreamWorks animators modeled the Matt Damon-voiced protagonist of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron after.
Spirit is also the star of Celebrate Freedom, as a portrait of the famed Kiger mustang takes center stage on the 2021 pinot noir’s label. The 2019 inaugural bottling of Celebrate Freedom also featured Spirit on its branding. But in terms of flavor and fruit sources, the two vintages are not identical, Griffith explained.
“A few years ago, I suggested that Norm create a private label wine for [Return to Freedom], in the spirit of giving,” she recalled of the project’s inklings, now fully realized thanks to a collab between her husband and Flying Goat winemaker, Norm Yost, and DeMayo.
“Norm created the wine blends that Neda and I approved,” Giffith said. “Norm and Neda came up with the label concept featuring Spirit the horse.”
While the original 2019 pinot noir came to fruition with fruit solely sourced from Rio Vista Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, Flying Goat’s new vintage was born out of two parent vineyards.
“Our 2021 Celebrate Freedom is a blend of two distinct vineyards—Rio Vista and Allan Hancock College—so it has a very different expression than the 2019 vintage,” Griffith said.
Both the student-run Allan Hancock College Winery and Thorne Wines-owned Rio Vista Vineyard have strong track records backed by their accolades, while the latter is often specifically praised for its wines’ aging prospects, according to Flying Goat’s website.
“The 2021 pinot noir is very approachable upon release, showing texture, black cherry, and cola on the palate, with a luscious finish,” Griffith said, “with great ageability potential. … Stock up for your cellar.”
Speaking of aging, as January approaches, so does Flying Goat’s 25th anniversary.
“Norm and I are looking forward to merriment and prosperity in 2025 as we celebrate Flying Goat Cellars’ silver anniversary,” said Griffith, who added that the Lompoc winery has a couple of festive events lined up before 2024 comes to an end.
On Sunday, Dec. 15, Flying Goat Cellars will host its Holiday Arts and Crafts Pop-up, from 1 to 4 p.m. Gift shopping and browsing opportunities await guests, who can look forward to displays from the tasting room’s current featured artist, Angelina LaPointe, a Lompoc-based printmaker and musician, and other participating artisans.
Additional vendors slated to sell their wares—from handmade meditation robes to crochet plushies—during the event include Design by Celest and Sam’s Endless Hobbies. There will also be live holiday music from JAB, a prolific trumpet player and composer.
On Sunday, Dec. 22, Flying Goat is inviting the public to soar on over to a lavish Pasadena landmark for the winery’s 2024 Holiday Party, slated to take place at the historic Castle Green. Tickets are $25, which include admission to the castle, light hors d’oeuvres, and tastings of pinot noir and Flying Goat’s signature sparkling Goat Bubbles.
The winery’s current Celebrate Freedom fundraiser sale will remain ongoing, until Flying Goat runs out of the 2021 vintage.
“It will be sold with the same [40 percent of sales] donation until it is sold out,” Griffith said. “It is our honor to make the contribution, in the spirit of giving, all year long.”
Send 100 percent of your comments to Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 12-22, 2024.
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