Storm Wines

About

Our goal is to source fruit from vineyards that have mesoclimates and soils with the potential to produce fruit with exceptional balance and depth. At Storm Wines our intention is to create balanced wines that have poise and elegance with underlying structure. Ultimately our goal is to create those wines that can be enjoyed with family, friends and great cuisine.

Location Description

Located in the heart of Solvang, California.

Features

  • Producing handcrafted wines.

Additional Information

  • Meeting / Conference Facilities:
  • Caves:
  • Wedding Facilities:
  • Picnic Facilities:
  • Dog Friendly:
  • Winery Tours:
  • Wine Tasting:
  • Art or Architecture:
  • Organic / Biodynamic:
  • Awards:
  • Wine Club:
  • Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:

Average Bottle Price

$ 35

Winemaker

Ernst grew up in South Africa and spent the last of his teenage years in a town called Hermanus which is in the Western Cape. Known as the appellation of Walker Bay, this region has a cool maritime climate where Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay ripens perfectly. Growing up within this booming wine country, Ernst was always aware of the rewards of the land, and the successes that could be found because of it.

After graduation, Ernst spent a year working in Britain and Europe trying to figure out what he was going to do with his life. In the back of his mind, he knew that he wanted to find a way to be creative and work with nature. His brother, Hannes, was studying wine at the time and it just felt right to pursue winemaking. Ernst completed his studies at the Elsenburg Agricultural School outside the town of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. At the time they accepted only the top 20 students from the second year to continue into the third year which was spent in the winery on campus. After completing his third year, he worked as winemaker at a winery called Amani in South Africa under the guidance of Rod Easthope, a New Zealand winemaker now at Craggy Range. He also consulted on a few small project with his brother, who is now at Hamilton Russell in the Walker Bay Appellation.

After a year, Ernst wanted to experience a Northern Hemisphere harvest and took a job in the Sierra Foothills. He spent two years working in this warmer climate—learning a lot about how to deal with higher pH wines and keep the wines stable. Having come from a cool climate region, he longed to make more balanced wines from Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. He went searching again. Ernst found Santa Barbara County and fell in love with it. The Mediterranean climate shares many similarities with that of the Western Cape. Diverse soils and mesoclimates within the county make it a region with endless possibilities. Ernst worked at Firestone for three years, which proved to be a great learning experience. He worked with bigger lots and did plenty of experimentation with Sauvignon Blanc and other varietals. After several years, Ernst became involved in the winemaking at Curtis Winery, and has been with them since 2008.

History

Early in his career, Ernst worked alongside his brother Hannes, who is also a winemaker. The projects on which they consulted pushed Ernst to think about winemaking in a way that would reflect on his passion for creative, smaller production, location-focused wines. After leaving South Africa and pursuing his career in California, his ideas began to take shape, and the foundation for Storm Wines was formed.

Through several fall harvests and spring rains, Ernst grew his ideas and connections until, in 2006, he landed an opportunity to buy grapes from Jim Clendenen’s Le Bon Climat Vineyard—producing the first wine to be bottled under the Storm name.

Rooted in the hills of Santa Barbara County, Storm Wines emphasizes old world influences and new world techniques. The Mediterranean climate, diverse soils, and exciting new opportunities in this budding Central Coast wine region have combined to drive Ernst’s passion for producing his wine. You’re invited to experience the unique personality of both vintage and site in Storm Wines.

Practices & Techniques

Our wines are truly handcrafted using a combination of Old and New World winemaking techniques. From being present while picking the grapes in the early morning hours, to basket pressing, to only using gravity on the red wines. Fining and filtration is only done when necessary and on white wines. Thus, making sure our wines express the unique qualities our fruit embodies due to its local environment.

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Address

PO Box 393
Solvang, California 93464
United States

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