It is 5h30 am on Monday, 18 March and at Creation, on the scenic Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, the anticipation runs high.  Yes, the harvest is in full swing, meaning that eager beavers move into the vineyards at the crack of dawn to ensure that the grapes reach the cellar in prime condition. But on this particular morning, there is something else in the air …

With Creation enjoying such a proud reputation for wine and food pairing – among others a four-times winner of the prestigious KLINK ‘Great Pairings’ award  –  it is not surprising that the team has a natural affinity for sommeliers! Hence the day-long Creation ‘Sommelier Sojourn’ which took place in February and was attended by nine of South Africa’s finest sommeliers.

At Creation the 2019 harvest is proceeding at a pace and the excitement runs high in both vineyards and cellar.  Assisting, and each adding his/her own particular dynamic to the mix, are three energetic interns from Europe.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of harvest activities, this past week saw the Creation cellar team beaming with pleasure as they received three tons of old-vine Chenin Blanc from Windmeul Kelder in Paarl. The significance of this rather unusual event is that it heralds Creation’s participation in South Africa’s unique Old Vine Project (OVP). Click here to read more about the project.

It’s Valentine’s week and love is in the air! This inspired Creation intern Baptiste Quinard from Burgundy to pen yet another passionate ode in praise of wine. Here is an extract from Carolyn Martin’s playful translation:

Following the highly successful Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration on 25 and 26 January 2019, the Creation Team take pleasure in bringing you video footage of their individual producer event, titled ‘Pinot Poetry’. It features among others the blind tasting of this many-splendoured cultivar in three different flights,  benchmarking Creation Pinot against some of the best from New Zealand, Burgundy and Switzerland.

This past weekend saw 12 Pinot producers pulling out all the stops to showcase their wines at the sixth annual Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration. And what a celebration it was!

On a recent trip to Hermanus, a visit to Creation Wines was on the itinerary. I don’t know what I was thinking when I initially turned it down, but after bumping into Carolyn Martin and being seduced by her enthusiasm – as well as a string of delightful memories of meals there – the brunch pairing was restored.

Bright New Year’s resolutions, anyone? Well, the ever-inventive Creation Culinary Team is ready and rearing to embrace 2019 with verve and panache. “We’re aiming to tease your taste buds out of their comfort zone with extraordinary taste combinations and out-of-this-world flavour profiling,” says pairing guru Carolyn Martin – and she means it! 

With the sixth annual Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration around the corner, lovers of this captivating cultivar will soon be flocking to partake in the festivities. Taking place on 25 and 26 January 2019 in the magical open-air setting of Nidderdale farm and surrounds, this sought-after highlight on the South African wine calendar is guaranteed to set your senses soaring.