# Post Flirtation Red (2023)

- **Producer:** Martha Stoumen
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Zinfandel, Carignan
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €29
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** strawberry, raspberry, cherry, plum, rose, herbaceous, fennel, cloves, cinnamon

## About this wine

Martha Stoumen is a self-funded natural winemaker based in Sebastopol, California. Her ethos centers on patience, dry-farming, and highlighting low-intervention California terroir through heritage grape varieties. The wine name and label artwork were created by her husband, Jon Patch, early in their relationship.

## Interesting facts

- The Carignan comes from historic vines planted in 1948 in Mendocino County.
- The Zinfandel is dry-farmed in pure, beach-like sandy soils in Oakley, California.
- The label name and artwork were created by Martha Stoumen's husband after their first few dates.
- Includes a small percentage of a reserve Carignan component aged 28 months in neutral oak.

## Food pairing

This vibrant, light-bodied red wine acts as a versatile table companion. Its bright acidity cuts through rich pork and lamb fats, while its soft tannins complement lighter dishes, grilled vegetables, and cured meats without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

Grapes were hand-harvested from organically farmed, dry-farmed vineyards in Contra Costa and Mendocino Counties. Zinfandel was 100% destemmed while Carignan was fermented with 95% whole clusters using native yeasts. Gentle extraction occurred via punchdowns and pumpovers before pressing. Aged in stainless steel tanks and neutral oak barriques for six months, blended with a small reserve Carignan component, and bottled unfined and unfiltered.