On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, we had the opportunity to interview Martha Stoumen. Martha is the winemaker and owner of Martha Stoumen Wines. We covered three white wines, two rosé wines, and three red wines with Martha. Martha is not your typical California winemaker. She uses lesser-known grapes, makes atypical blends, and has a unique style. You can read about these unique wines and other tidbits we learned from Martha.
Before we get to the wines, I thought I would share some tidbits that Martha shared in the interview.
- We were introduced to Martha via Pax Mahle. He recommended that we cover her wines and then interview her. We covered the first batch and were very impressed. I loved both of them. Then we then reached out and set up the interview. Martha used to make her wines at Pax’s facility.
- In the first batch was the 92-point 2022 Honeymoon white blend. It was impressive! Then came the 2023 highlighted below. I said to myself, who is this winemaker? First of all she is using Colombard. Then she is blending it with Chardonnay. We have to get her on with the Panel.
- After receiving a degree in Environmental Studies from UCLA – Martha headed to Italy to work on a farm. While there she worked in a vineyard and olive orchard.
- From there she started an internship at Chalk Hill. After that, she ended up doing eight more internships. Including stints on the slate terrace in Mosel, Margaret River in Western Australia, and in New Zealand.
- She went on the get her master’s degree in viticulture and enology at UC Davis.
- She started a wine project called “The Living Wines Collective” with four friends in the basement of a Shaunt Oungoulian’s house in Orinda, CA. It was four winemakers. They went off separate ways, but it was a great and very unique start.
- Martha Stoumen wines started with the 2014 vintage.
- Her assistant winemaker Tim Lyons hails from PA. He studied at UVA and then discovered his love of wine while working at nearby Jefferson Vineyards in the Monticello AVA.
- He has been working with Martha since she started her own wine project.
- As previously mentioned, Martha was making her wines at the Pax facility from 2018 to 2023, but it was getting full. So, she moved to a custom crush facility at Overshine Wines.
- Who designs the labels? Carolynn Haydu, who is a former roommate of Martha.
- Venturi Vineyard in Mendocino County is where she gets the awesome Vermentino and the Carignan.
- It is across the street from the Testa Vineyard which Rebekah Wineburg sources from, for her Post & Vine label.
Why Post Flirtation? While working long nights and weekends on the side. Her eventual husband called a wine sample “post flirtation” vs. “post filtration”. The rest is history!- The name “Out To The Meadow” means? There is a story, but it’s also a good name for field blend.
- And field blend it is. This concoction contains Chenin Blanc, Vermentino, Trousseau Gris, Green Hungarian, and Chasselas Doré. That is truly unique!
- Finally, here is a Podcast Interview with Martha that further piqued my interest in covering her wine and interviewing her. It goes much deeper into her background and story!
- This interview is with The Winemakers podcast from January 2025.
Below is a summary of the wine offerings from Martha Stoumen that we covered with Martha. The links below are to our full reviews. If you are interested in ordering and trying these wines, you will find some of these wines via your favorite fine wine shop or on top quality wines lists. You can also purchase these wines on the Martha Stoumen website.
1. Martha Stoumen 2024 Vermentino “Venturi” (Mendocino County) $38 (KWGTP 92.5)
2. Martha Stoumen 2024 White Blend “Out To The Meadow” (Suisun Valley) $40 (KWGTP 91)
• 63% Chenin Blanc, 15% Vermentino, 13% Trousseau Gris, 6% Green Hungarian & 3% Chasselas Doré
3. Martha Stoumen 2022 White Blend “Solo Act” (Contra Costa County) $37 (KWGTP 89.5)
• 39% Roussanne, 35% Marsanne & 26% Muscat Blanc
4. Martha Stoumen NV Rosé “Post Flirtation No 4” (CA) $29 (KWGTP 92.5)
• 75% Nero d’Avola & 25% Vermentino
5. Martha Stoumen NV Rose “Nero d’Avola Rosato No. 2” (Mendocino County) $37 (KWGTP 91)
• 90% Nero d’Avola & 10% Negroamaro
6. Martha Stoumen 2022 Red Blend “Benchlands” (Mendocino County) $34 (KWGTP 92)
• 40% Petite Sirah, 30% Zinfandel, 20% Nero d’Avola, 4% Valdiguié, 4% Colombard & 2% Carignan
7. Martha Stoumen 2022 Carignan “Venturi Vineyard” (Mendocino County) $40 (KWGTP 92)
8. Martha Stoumen 2021 Red Blend “Another Shore Long Élevage” (California) $70 (KWGTP 93)
• 75% Cabernet Sauvignon & 25% Valdiguié
We also covered these two wines in other tastings last winter!
1) Martha Stoumen NV Rose “Negroamaro Rosato NV4” $47 (KWGTP 91)
2) Martha Stoumen 2023 White Blend “Honeymoon” $39 (KWGTP 93)
• 70% Colombard & 30% Chardonnay
You can find reviews of past and future Martha Stoumen wines that we cover on the Martha Stoumen KWG winery page on our website. We hope you enjoy these terrific wines as much as we did. Cheers! – Ken