Apple, Pear, Vanilla

Hemel-en-Aarde / White / Chardonnay / Sustainable

Storm Wines 2022 Chardonnay is a true standout, showcasing the artistry and expertise of the winemaking team. Crafted from carefully selected grapes sourced from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, this Chardonnay exemplifies the beauty of cool-climate winemaking. The wine greets the senses with enticing aromas of ripe citrus, tropical fruits, and delicate floral notes. On the palate, flavours of crisp apple, juicy pear, and a touch of creamy vanilla unfold, harmonizing with refreshing acidity. The wine's texture is elegant, with a balanced weight that carries through to a lingering, satisfying finish. Storm Wines 2022 Chardonnay is a testament to the winery's commitment to crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines that capture the essence of their vineyards.

 Notes on the producer

In the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, meaning "Heaven-and-Earth" in Afrikaans, Hannes Storm embarked on a journey intimately connected with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Within this picturesque region, he discovered two tiny parcels of land boasting exceptional terroirs. Planted with Pinot Noir in 2008, these vineyards, one in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and the other in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, became the foundation of Storm Winery. In 2012, Storm's inaugural vintage emerged, and after 18 months of maturation in the bottle, the wines were released to the public in August 2014.

Today, Hannes and Nathalia Storm, a passionate husband and wife team, meticulously handcraft their wines. Their Vrede Pinot Noir and Vrede Chardonnay are born from the low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld (‘Buck Veld’) shale soil in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Their Ignis Pinot Noir flourishes in the decomposed granite soil of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, while their Ridge Pinot Noir and Ridge Chardonnay thrive in the low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Remarkably, Storm Wines is the sole producer in the Hemel-en-Aarde with Pinot Noirs from all three appellations.

The ethos of Storm Wines centres around coaxing the purest expressions of each vineyard site into the bottle. With a focus on small production, conscientious viticulture, minimal intervention in the cellar, and a respectful nod to the traditions of the Old World, the wines exhibit distinctive personalities and characters. Storm Wines exemplifies a commitment to showcasing the unique terroir and delivering wines of exceptional quality.