Stormkus

Perfect with rosemary lamb, wild mushroom risotto, or charcuterie — a refined match for its savoury, coastal elegance.

The 2020 growing season began with a good, wet winter providing ample rainfall and cold units. Persistent rain and cold weather into spring brought difficult flowering conditions and severe downy mildew, impacting canopies and bunches. Still recovering from the previous year’s hail, the vines had low reserves and fertility, resulting in a small crop of 3.5 t/ha. Despite this, the grapes produced concentrated, fruit-driven wines. Harvest was delayed by about ten days, with Syrah picked at the end of March.

Stormkus was matured for 24 months in a single new Serbian oak barrel, developing depth and structure. Before bottling, it was blended with Syrah aged in a third-fill French oak barrel to achieve balance, elegance, and a refined integration of oak and fruit.

Strandveld Vineyards lies between Elim and Cape Agulhas, just 9km from the sea, shaped by strong winds, cool temperatures, and a maritime climate. Its unique terroir of coastal conditions and diverse soils gives the wines their distinctive character. Inspired by early explorers, the vineyards were established in 2001 by pioneers drawn to this rugged, promising landscape.