Ernst Storm grew up on the Western Cape of South Africa witnessing firsthand winegrowing on his sister's farm. After studying at the Elsenburg Agricultural School, Ernst worked at multiple South African estates for two years before moving to the Sierra Foothills of California to learn warm-climate winemaking. He spent an additional two years there before falling in love with Santa Barbara during a visit. Ernst was thrilled with the endless possibilities of the region as it mirrored the cool-climate characteristics of his native Western Cape. He strove to produce balanced wines from Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Founding Storm Wines in 2006, Ernst crafted his first six barrels of wine while simultaneously making wine for two other estates. In 2013, he decided to focus all of his energy on Storm Wines and today, Ernst uses old-world influence and new-world techniques to create terroir-driven wines with fruit sourced from sustainable, organic and biodynamic vineyards in Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley.

Storm Wines’ Chardonnay was sourced from three stellar Santa Barbara County sites: Donnachadh and Wenzlau Vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills and Nielson Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. Mid-gold in color with light green highlights, Storm’s Chardonnay offers a dazzling bouquet of citrus-washed tropical and orchard fruits marked with hints of spice and freshly-baked brioche. The medium-bodied palate is loaded with flavors of green apple, Asian pear and lemon-zested pineapple. A brisk acidity and an underlying, flinty mineral streak support this charming Chardonnay all the way towards its captivating and refreshing finish. Pair with a range of dishes… flounder piccata, roasted chicken with spring vegetables or grilled pork chops glazed with garlic honey.