Martha Stoumen NV 'Post Flirtation' Orange, California

Vineyard Notes: Vermentino from The Bench Vineyard, Clements Hills, San Joaquin County; certified organic and biodynamic vineyard; sandy loam soils.

Winemaking Notes: Vermentino first destemmed (100%) and then foot- tread for additional skin-contact before transferring to a stainless steel open-top fermenter. The wine was fermented on skins for three days before pressing to neutral oak barrique to complete primary and secondary fermentation in barrel. Aged continuously on fine lees in neutral oak barrique for 24-months before blending and bottling. Unfined. Filtered for stability.

Tasting Notes: Playful and lifted aromas of tangerine peel and stone fruit. Full of fresh apricot, dried herbs, and orange cocktail bitters across the palate and through the finish.

Martha's Notes: From the richly layered orange wines of northern Italy to the herbal and often salty expressions from Sicily, I’ve long been captivated by the tradition of macerating white grapes on their skins. Although requests for an orange wine have been constant since I started the winery in 2014, my focus has remained on expressing California through other forms—until now.

The shift began with an experiment making a piquette from Vermentino skins. I was truly astounded by the depth of flavor these grape skins released after gentle food treading and a few days of maceration in the sun. When we harvested Vermentino from a certified organic (biodynamic) vineyard along the Mokelumne River, I saw a chance to fully explore the potential of this versatile grape.

At first, the young wine displayed vibrant, zesty characteristics. However, with extended èlevage in neutral oak barrique, the wine began to reveal more subtle, tertiary flavors, developing the complexity I had always envisioned. It’s become a new Post Flirtation wine—one to be savored throughout the day.