Martha Stoumen wants to know — what does California taste like? If we’re considering the wines she produces in her corner of the Golden State, the answer is “pretty amazing”.

Prior to establishing her eponymous winery, Martha worked for some of our favorite wineries, in California and abroad: she was Chris Brockaway’s assistant winemaker at Broc Cellars, and it was at COS in Sicily’s Vittoria that she gained her love of Nero d’Avola (a variety she employs frequently, and the star of today’s Post-Flirtation rosé).

She buys fruit from a dedicated group of farmers, mostly in Contra Costa and Mendocino counties, as well as leasing and tending a handful of sites herself. Farming is entirely natural: she encourages predatory insects to eat the harmful ones, uses compost instead of fertilizers, and prefers warm, dry, breezy sites that allow for chemical-free farming.

In the cellar — a custom crush facility she shares with Pax Mahle, RAEN, and others — minimalism is the guiding principle. To make great natural wine, you must let the fruit shine. To that end, the winery is kept spotless and fermentations are closely monitored to ensure that the finished wine is clean, terroir-expressive, and delicious.

We can’t get enough of Martha’s Post Flirtation line, especially the begging-to-be-chilled red and Italian-accented rosé. First, the red is a blend of Zinfandel and Carignan, harvested when just ripe and blended into a supple, juicy, cheerful red wine with red berry flavors on a lightweight frame. The rosé is Italianish by way of California, a blend of Nero d’Avola and Vermentino that shows off flavors of watermelon, rhubarb, sea salt, and savory tamarind.

Martha calls herself “small fish in a big pond”, producing some 8,000 cases annually compared to the millions of cases churned out each year by California’s biggest wineries. As long as some of those cases make their way to NYC, we’ll be happy! We’re so excited to share Martha’s Post Flirtation red and rosé with you today — they’re not just the perfect wines for summer, they’re perfect anytime.

Martha Stoumen, Post Flirtation Rosé, 2025 $23.99
This unique rosé comprises two Italian varieties: 75% Nero d’Avola and 25% Vermentino. The Nero is foot-trodden before an overnight maceration, while whole bunches of Vermentino are pressed and added to the rosato base. It’s deeply juicy with flavors of strawberry, watermelon, and blood orange accented by the Vermentino’s lemony brightness.

Martha Stoumen, Post Flirtation Red, 2023 $32.99
A blend of 62% Zinfandel, 38% Carignan from a mix of soil types across Contra Costa and Mendocino counties. Don’t be scared by the Zin; it’s harvested at perfect, peak ripeness (never overripe) and strikes an ideal balance between opulent fruit and bright freshness. Hibiscus, pomegranate, black cherry, and rhubarb mingle with a touch of baking spice for a year-round delight.