Creation Wines

High on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, where Atlantic fog rolls across virus-free soils and afternoon breezes temper the summer heat, Creation Wines occupies forty hectares of land that was virgin bush until 2002. That year, Swiss-born cellarmaster Jean-Claude Martin and his South African wife Carolyn -- whose uncle Peter Finlayson had pioneered Pinot Noir at neighbouring Bouchard-Finlayson -- were alerted to the property and saw its potential immediately. JC had three non-negotiable criteria: water, cool climate, and virus-free soil. The Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge delivered all three.

They planted on the fifty acres of untouched earth, harvested a small first crop in 2006, and built the cellar in 2007. Growth has been steady and deliberate ever since. JC's winemaking philosophy centres on 'enhancing the beauty of nature,' a principle that extends from the certified-sustainable vineyards through to the contemporary cellar. The estate sits at altitude with panoramic views stretching from mountain ridgelines to the Atlantic Ocean -- conditions that produce wines of remarkable freshness and aromatic intensity.

Creation's reputation, however, rests as much on the table as on the glass. The estate became a pioneer of food-and-wine pairing in the Hemel-en-Aarde, and today offers an extraordinary range of culinary experiences: a five-course Brunch Pairing at 10am each morning, a six-course Story of Creation pairing with eight estate wines, small plates, wine and chocolate, a non-alcoholic tea pairing, and even a children's tasting. This innovative approach earned Creation a star in the 2025 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards -- a remarkable achievement for what is, at its heart, a tasting room rather than a conventional restaurant.

The wine range spans thirteen expressions, anchored by the flagship Art of Pinot Noir and Art of Chardonnay -- single-vineyard bottlings that represent the pinnacle of the estate. The Reserve Pinot Noir and Reserve Merlot offer complexity and age-worthiness, while the Sumac Grenache showcases the Ridge's affinity for Rhone varieties including Syrah, Viognier, and Roussanne. A Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Rose, and MCC Cap Classique round out a range that covers every mood. Visitors curate their own tastings by the glass, selecting from the full portfolio.

Beyond the cellar, Creation offers cottage accommodation set among the vineyards, guided cellar tours, and walking trails through the fynbos landscape -- including the Glamtrails hiking route that connects Creation to neighbouring Ataraxia. The tasting room features art displays and Riedel glassware, and the estate is wheelchair accessible. A gift shop and online store complete the offering. Creation is open seven days a week, making it one of the most accessible and visitor-friendly estates in the valley.