CREATION WINES in South Africa’s sought-after Hemel-en-Aarde wine region has been named among the 50 top wineries selected at the inaugural 2019 World’s Best Vineyards (WBV) awards. More than 1500 nominated wineries from 17 countries were represented and the winners were chosen by a prestigious international voting academy.
The stated aim of the WBV list is to raise the profile of wine tourism and to encourage visitors from all over the world to explore the world’s best wineries. The selection was based on an aggregated “total experience” and Creation was one of only three South African wineries to qualify for the list.
The name Creation is a tribute to the riches Mother Nature has bestowed upon the scenic estate. It is also a reference to the fact the land had never been planted to vines before 2002 when owners Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin (pictured) arrived on the farm.
Having meticulously considered soil, climate and aspect, JC – a qualified winemaker and viticulturist – selected the cultivars best suited to the terroir, and had the foresight to plant only virus-free clones. This investment had a significant impact on the quality of the grapes as well as the sustainability of the vineyards. “Planting to grow old is part of the Creation philosophy and while we wait for our vines to age we participate in South Africa’s unique Old Vine Project. Our first vintage of Old-Vine Chenin Blanc grown in a Paarl vineyard will be released soon and we look forward to the time when our own vineyards will be part of the project,” says JC.
But Creation is more than an award-winning wine estate; it is a destination offering a wonderful range of experiences, among which is an exciting repertoire of no less than seven wine and food pairing options. According to Carolyn – a pairing expert of note – the menus are created by a talented culinary team, “to bring our guests a feast of aromas, flavours, textures and colours.” An impressive list of accolades affirms the estate’s reputation as an innovative trendsetter in this field with offerings ranging from the famous Story of Creation Pairing Menu to the 10AM Brunch Pairing and the popular Small Plate Pairing, to mention but a few.
Nanette Ranger’s beautiful sculptures are placed in an around the tasting room. Photo by Bianca Coleman
Responding to this latest achievement, the ever enthusiastic Carolyn commented: “When we look at the top 50 vineyards in the world we are delighted and honoured to be recognised among them. From the outset our aim has been to be one of the most loved and unique wineries in the world, creating wines and experiences reflective of our exceptional terroir. We’re justifiable proud of our team’s dedication and at the same time wish to thank our clients for their loyal support and input since our inception.”
In the spirit of giving back and sharing good fortune the Creation team supports local communities through initiatives such as the Pebbles Hemel-en-Aarde Education Project. “It is our intention to have a positive daily impact on each other’s lives and we are also researching and implementing sustainability initiatives, collaborating locally and internationally. All in all it is a hugely exciting and rewarding time for us in the world of wine,” Carolyn concludes.
Food and wine pairing, photo by Bianca Coleman
- Story by Michael Farr