The mid-15th century marked the dawn of the Age of Exploration, a time when seafaring expeditions set out in search of the riches of the East and West, sparking fierce competition for first claims. The Spanish and Portuguese were at the forefront of this era. Under the directives of Prince Henry the Navigator and later King John II of Portugal, the Portuguese charted a sea route to India’s wealth of spices and silk by navigating around the Cape of Good Hope in present-day South Africa. Bartolomeu Dias was the first to round the Cape in 1488, though his journey was cut short. Eleven years later, Vasco da Gama successfully reached India, though his expedition suffered heavy losses.

Da Gama’s fleet of four ships encountered violent storms as they neared the Cape. Amid the chaos, da Gama reportedly witnessed a colossal figure emerge from the night—a grotesque and towering shape with heavy jowls and an unruly beard. This spectral being, believed to be the Adamastor, was said to guard the Cape from intruders. With two ships lost and more than half his crew gone, da Gama called out to the Adamastor, declaring his intentions and pleading for safe passage. The storms subsided, the figure vanished, and a clear route appeared. The Portuguese named this treacherous point Cabo das Tormentas—the “Cape of Storms”—a fitting tribute to the dangers faced by those who dared to explore this untamed frontier.

More than 400 years later, this wild frontier still captivates and inspires discovery. Drawn by its ancient vines, untapped potential, and boundless opportunities, winemakers from around the globe have made their way to South Africa. Storm Point embodies the belief that patience yields greatness. Offering exceptional value from Swartland—the heart of South Africa’s new-wave winemaking—it serves as the perfect introduction to the diverse and dynamic world of South African wine.