The low average maximum temperatures for the 3 months (Dec, Jan, Feb) building up to and during harvest, made 2023 one of our coolest years on record - slightly lower than Burgundy for the equivalent period. We were lucky enough to harvest before the substantial and unprecedented summer rainfalls during harvest time. These rainy conditions changed the course of the harvest dramatically, making it an extremely challenging harvest to navigate. Yields increased even more from 2022. The wine of 2023 is opulent, vibrant and energetic with fine texture and lovely natural acidity.
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2023
Vrede Pinot Noir hails from a steep, northeast-facing slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
Maiden Vintage 2012
Vineyard Planted 2008
Clones 70 % 115, 23% 777, 7% 113
Size 4.61 ha
Vineyard Yield 4,0 t/ha, 26.7 hl/ha, 0.9 kg/vine
Elevation 125 m ASL
Maturation 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 12 months- 28% 2023, 22% 2022, 12% 2021, 16% 2020, 10% 2019 , 10% 2018, 2% 2017
Harvest date 8, 10 & 13 February 2023
Bottling Date 10 May 2024
Release Date April 2025
Production 1048 (of 12) cases
96 points, Tim Atkin MW
Storm Ignis Pinot Noir 2023
Ignis Pinot Noir hails from a northern slope in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Organically farmed, the vineyard is cluttered with round pebbles on the soil surface with underlying decomposed granite. Latin for “fire”, ignis refers to the fact that granite is an igneous rock formation – “from fire to stone”.
Maiden Vintage 2012
Vineyard Planted 2008
Clones 35% 115, 32% 667, 33% 777
Size 2,38 ha
Vineyard Yield 3.83 t/ha, 26.70 hl/ha, 0.85 kg/vine
Elevation 220 m ASL
Maturation 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 12 months - 28% 2023, 33% 2022, 23% 2021, 12% 2020, 4% 2019
Harvest Date 14 February 2023
Bottling Date 10 May 2024
Release Date April 2025
Production 759 (of 12 ) cases
96 points, Tim Atkin MW
Storm Ridge Pinot Noir 2023
Ridge Pinot Noir hails from a cool, eastern slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
Maiden Vintage 2015
Vineyard Planted 2009
Clones 60% 115, 30% 113, 10% 777
Size 1,2 ha
Vineyard Yield 5.7 t/ha, 40 hl/ha, 0.75 kg/vine
Elevation 330 m ASL
Maturation 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 12 months - 26% 2023, 35% 2022, 9% 2021, 4% 2020, 13% 2019, 13% 2018
Harvest Date 24 February 2023
Bottling Date 10 May 2024
Release Date April 2025
Production 577 (of 12) cases
96 Points, Tim Atkin MW
Extreme wind speeds from the south during the month of September contributed to Vrede vineyard’s low yields of 22.5 hl/ha. The extremely high rainfall created conditions with unusually high disease pressure that was skilfully managed by an experienced vineyard team. Average maximum temperatures during the growing season was slightly warmer than the previous vintage. Harvest was earlier than average, resulting in a wine with a lower than usual alcohol level, beautiful fruit purity, length and balance.
Storm Vrede Chardonnay 2024
Vrede Chardonnay – or Peace Chardonnay – hails from a northeast-facing slope in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
Maiden Vintage 2015
Vineyard Planted 2006
Clones CY95
Size 1,46 ha
Vineyard Yield 3.18 t/ha, 22.5 hl/ha, 0.49 kg/vine
Elevation 125 m ASL
Maturation 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months - 31% 2024, 25% 2023, 25% 2022, 19% 2021
Harvest Date 07 & 10 February 2024
Bottling Date 19 February 2025
Release Date April 2025
Production 365 cases (12) produced
Storm Ridge Chardonnay 2024
Ridge Chardonnay hails from a cool, eastern slope on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge with low-vigour, stony, clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil.
Maiden Vintage 2019
Vineyard Planted 2009
Clones 80% CY95, 20% CY96
Size 1,1 ha
Vineyard Yield 5.9 t/ha, 39 hl/ha, 0.79 kg/vine
Elevation 330 m ASL
Maturation 228 litre, tight grain, French oak, 11 months - 25% 2024, 27 % 2023, 22 % 2022, 6% 2021, 20% clay amphora
Harvest Date 14 & 19 February 2024
Bottling Date 19 February 2025
Release Date April 2025
Production 542 cases (12) produced