A method of forming a vertical MOSFET device includes forming a first trench within a semiconductor layer of a first polarity, the first trench generally defining a well region of a second polarity opposite the first polarity; growing a first epitaxial well layer of the second polarity over the original semiconductor layer; growing a second epitaxial source contact layer of the first polarity over the well layer; forming a second trench through the source contact layer and at least a portion of the well layer; growing a third epitaxial layer of the second polarity over the source contact layer; and planarizing at least the first and second epitaxial layers so as to expose an upper surface of the original semiconductor layer, wherein a top surface of the third epitaxial layer is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the source contact layer prior to ohmic contact formation.