How do I grow specific strains of yeast?

I've been making wine and mead for about a while now. I love doing it, specificly the mead. But I like to be involved and in control the process from start to finish. I use all fresh ingredients, no additives. So, I'm wondering, would it be possible for me to produce my own yeast? I don't want to leave it up to spontaneous fermentation and, especially with mead, I need certain kinds of yeast for certain outcomes. I know that some mead/wine makers retain the muck and use it as a starter but I'm not too sure how that works.