Story About Salty Goats

Though our day jobs revolved around high-end Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, the pull of the ocean was undeniable. Weekend after weekend, we found ourselves exploring the Sonoma Coast, drawn to the rugged beauty of the landscape and the potential of Coastal Pinot Noir. Eventually, we found what we were looking for—a vineyard in Fort Ross-Seaview that spoke our language.

Salty Goats is a wine company rooted in the Coastal Hills of Northern California, dedicated to crafting expressive, site-driven Pinot Noir & Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. We partner with trusted farmers who share our passion for organic and precision viticulture, always seeking out new and exciting vineyard sites that push the boundaries of what’s possible. With its high elevations, cool climate, and Pacific influence, the West Sonoma Coast offers the perfect conditions to produce Pinot Noir that is vibrant and delicious.

Our winemaking philosophy is simple: let the vineyards speak. We focus on meticulous farming, both destemmed & whole cluster fermentation and gentle extraction. Our wines are aged for 11 to 12 months in French oak before their Fall Release.

We make wines for those who chase the ocean’s edge, the thrill of discovery—wines that embrace the untamed, the adventurous, the salty.

Stay Salty.

Just as our winemaking is rooted in collaboration and originality, the creation of the Salty Goats label was a journey of artistry and vision. Rather than following the conventions of traditional wine branding, we sought an illustrator outside the industry—someone who could bring a fresh, adventurous perspective to our story.

Through artwork created for a surf photographer, we discovered Christian Watson, the artist behind 1924.us. , whose bold, expressive line drawings immediately captivated us. His style embodied the spirit of exploration and movement that defines Salty Goats, and we knew we had found the perfect artist to bring our label to life.

Once we had Christian’s hand-drawn illustrations and script in hand, we partnered with the team at Offset, one of the best design studios in the business. Their expertise seamlessly blended Christian’s ink strokes with their refined design sensibility, creating a label as unique and dynamic as the wines inside the bottle.

Finding a name that captures an entire wine philosophy is no small task. But when you have a clear vision of what you want to create and how you want to do it, the right name eventually reveals itself. That’s exactly how Salty Goats came to be.

SALTY | The word Salty reflects the profound influence of the coast on our vineyards and wines. The ocean—one of the planet’s most powerful and life-giving forces—shapes the climate, soil, and character of our Pinot Noir. It’s in the air, in the vines, and ultimately, in every glass.

GOATS | The Sonoma Coast has a long history of goats, from their role in organic vineyard management to their deep-rooted presence in the region’s agricultural landscape. But our connection to them became personal on our first visit to our vineyard. Just south of Fort Ross-Seaview, we took a wrong turn and pulled over next to a small farm. As we tried to get our bearings, a single goat stared us down. The farm’s owner introduced him as Harry, a Kiko goat who lived by the sea. That unexpected encounter felt like more than coincidence—it felt like a sign. And so, in honor of the ocean, the land, and Harry the Goat, Salty Goats was born.