Creations Wines, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
There are few wineries all of whose products I have tasted and fewer still where I have enjoyed drinking every one of their wines. Creation is one of these.
The story of Creation Wines is as old as the hills – dating back to when Mother Nature created South Africa’s beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge and bestowed upon it exceptional wine growing conditions.
At the same time, the story is as young as the vibrant team who since 2002 has been investing their talents to create a wine range of great distinction.
The Martins & The Kasers of Creation Wines
To make the success story even more interesting, it also has its roots in the famous winelands of Neuchâtel in Switzerland, where two young Swiss winemakers and viticulturists forged a close friendship during the late 1990s. Enter Jean-Claude Martin and Christoph Kaser who at the time were employed at the ancient wineries of Grillette and Hôpital de Soleure. Needless to say, they had a lot in common, not least of all the vagaries of the weather. Thus many a philosophical evening was spent, fantasizing about “a perfect wine world”. Ample sunshine was among their priorities, yet also conditions cool enough to allow for the gentle, even ripening of the grapes.
By combining the rich gifts of nature and their unique terroir with the dedication and skills of those tending the vineyards and their talented winemakers, Creation Wines rewards the wine lover with wines of rare distinction.
Situated in a newly proclaimed wine ward, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge in the Walker Bay appellation, Creation is able to derive great benefit from the temperate Atlantic maritime climate where temperatures in the vineyard rarely exceed 30C. Cooler climate result in slower ripening resulting in full-flavoured grapes of excellent wine-making quality.
Fortunately too the stable weather conditions prevailing in the region assit with the successful cultivation of a number of different grape varieties. Planted in virgin soils, each variety was selected for its suitability to the terroir. Meticulous care in the vineyards – especially in what is known in vineyard speak as canopy management – results in even ripening of the Creation grapes which means that the tannins are ripe, sweet and luscious, resulting in smooth wines.
Antipasto a la Creation
Smooth wines, yet with a refreshing natural acidity that cleanses the palate and with the beautiful balance of fruit flavours and tannins and the judicious use of oak, Creation wines are exceptionally food-friendly.
Some unique features of Creation include the fact that they are the only producer in the Hemel-en-Aarde region to grow and produce a Bordeaux-style blend and bottle a pure, single-variety Viognier and Semillon. While in the vineyard and cellar great care is taken to ensure that Creation wines have half the sulphur content found in most wines and are therefore sought-after in the ever-growing market of health-conscious wine lovers.
In the Heme-en-Aarde Ridge, Creation’s trendsetting viticulturists/winemakers, JC Martin and Christoph Kaser, boast a combined 30 years’ international experience. Having honed their skills on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Europe, they today apply their talents to create a much wider repertoire.
Enhancing the appeal of Creation wines is the sense of place. Creation is a perfect destination winery and makes a great day trip from Cape Town. The warm reception in the tasting venue, the contemporary art on display, the unique food and wine pairing, the informative tours of both vineyards and cellar, the beauty of the surrounding indigenous fynbos gardens – all contribute to the image of a distinctive wine range, created for those who enjoy the finer things in life.
Winegrowing area Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Ward, in Walker Bay
Owners JC & Carolyn Martin, Christoph & Heidi Kaser
Hemel-en-Aarde Road [R320], Hermanus
P.O. Box 1771 Hermanus 7200Western Cape, South Africa
Telephone +27 28 212 1107, mobile +27 72 673 1880
fax +27 28 212 1127
Email: info@creationwines.com Web: www.creationwines.com
