Creation Wines in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Creation Wines is situated high above Hermanus in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, the smallest, highest and coolest ward of the Hemel-en-Aarde area. The vineyards benefit from their proximity to Walker Bay. Cool Atlantic air moves up the valley and reaches the higher mountain slopes. This extends the ripening period while allowing the grapes to retain their natural acidity. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in particular find conditions here that decisively shape Creation's style.
Creation was founded in 2002 by Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin. The land had not previously been planted with vines. Jean-Claude Martin recognised the potential of the high-altitude site for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir early on and established the vineyards using virus-free planting material. The first grapes were harvested in 2006. The estate's own wine cellar was completed the same year, followed by the tasting venue in 2008.
The soils of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge are geologically diverse. Ancient Bokkeveld shale, Table Mountain sandstone and quartz veins alternate within the vineyards. The vines grow at elevations of around 300 metres and in some cases higher. Combined with cool nights and winds from Walker Bay only a few kilometres away, these conditions allow slow ripening and pronounced freshness.
Chardonnay is one of Creation's most important wines. The winery produces several interpretations of the variety, from Estate Chardonnay and Ridge Chardonnay to the limited Art of Chardonnay from selected parcels and barrels. Different soil types, barrel programmes and yeasts are used depending on the wine. What they share is a combination of fruit, structure and the natural acidity of the cool site.
Pinot Noir is equally defining. Here too the range extends from Estate Pinot Noir through the selected Ridge line to Art of Pinot Noir. Creation uses different estate parcels to highlight differences in aspect and soil. The wines typically show red fruit, spice and fine tannin structure. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir now form the qualitative core of the estate.
The range is unusually diverse beyond this. Creation produces Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Syrah and Grenache Noir, among others. Elation Cap Classique made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir using traditional bottle fermentation is also part of the portfolio. The former Reserve Collection was renamed Creation Ridge in 2025 to emphasise the origin of these wines from the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge more strongly.
Jean-Claude Martin remains Cellarmaster and shapes wine production with the aim of preserving as much of the character of individual vineyards as possible in the wines. Creation therefore combines a relatively young operation with a very clearly defined site. At Vin Africa, Creation represents particularly the cool side of South African winegrowing, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from one of Walker Bay's most distinctive locations.