Storm Wines Ridge Chardonnay is a delicate and elegant white wine that showcases the unique complexity of the Santa Maria Valley in California. The wine is made from hand-selected grapes grown in the cool coastal region, which allows for a restrained and refreshing style. It exhibits aromas of lemon zest, white peach, and hints of vanilla and oak, while the palate is crisp and balanced with a lively acidity. The finish is long and persistent, with flavors of stone fruit and a slight minerality. This Chardonnay is a perfect partner for seafood, pasta with cream sauce, or roasted chicken dishes.

Tasting Notes

Leaner in style next to the Vrede, which is all about buoyant, complex fruit, Ridge by comparison speaks to restraint, length and minerality. Here, we have a wine of crisp citrussy acidity, supported by 30% new French oak. Notes of pink grapefruit and pink pepper emerge with air and accent what is a lovely salty, linear, and focused Chardonnay.

About the Winery

The history and story of Strom Wines begin with that of its founder, Hannes Storm. Hannes worked intimately and with dedication in the vineyards of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley or ‘Heaven-and-Earth’ in South Africa. Initially, he handled, planted, and cultivated two varieties of grapevines. They consisted of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His ventures and work in this line allowed Hannes to discover and locate two tiny yet exceptional parcels in the area. They featured high-quality terroirs and excellent climatic and soil conditions for the growth of vines. It consisted of the beneficial influence from the Atlantic Ocean and the overall moderate weather. It motivated Hannes to produce his distinct wines.

Thus, Hannes planted the two vineyards with Pinot Noir in 2008. One of them remained located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. On the other hand, the other parcel was in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. In 2012, Hannes’ maiden vintage started coming into the spotlight and gaining the interest of several individuals. The wines spent about 18 months sealed in a bottle for maturation before finally getting released and sold in 2014.

Even today, Hannes handcrafts his Vrede Chardonnay and Vrede Pinot Noir. He does so from the clay-rich, stony, and low-vigour Bokkeveld shale soil of the Valley. In recent times, Storm Wines serves as the sole producer of Pinot Noirs from all the three appellations and regions of the Hemel-en-Aarde.

Storm Wines works with a unique aim and intention. They strive to direct the purest nature of each of their vineyards towards their cork and bottle. That is why the winery functions with careful viticulture and small-scale production. It allows them to focus on the quality of each bottle instead of the numbers. In addition, Storm Wines ensure minimum interference in the cellar and a distinctive character and personality in their wines.

https://www.stormwines.co.za

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