Yes, it is harvest time at Creation and the vineyards and cellar are abuzz with activity … and anticipation. Cellarmaster Jean-Claude Martin says growing conditions throughout the year have been great and the grapes are ripening gradually and evenly. “We had beautiful weather conditions with ocean breezes cooling the vineyards and started off by harvesting the grapes for our Creation Art of Pinot Noir. The whole bunches were loaded into open wood fermenters to start natural fermentation and in the cellar it’s all hands on deck.”

During the week the Tasting Room team took a little geological safari through the estate vineyards with the leading South African geochemist/geologist, Dr John Bristow and John Blaine, a mineral exploration consultant. The excursion revealed among others the implications of geology on viticulture and how it influences growing conditions and the architecture of the wine.

The excitement has of course also spilled over into the kitchen with the Culinary Team pulling out all stops in celebration of the harvest. And this means not only the grape vintage but also the choice fresh produce harvested from the Overberg and surrounds. Among the many treats in the Tasting Room will be sensorial tastings using key elements from the unique Creation terroir to titillate the senses, says pairing guru Carolyn Martin.

“Following our popular ‘Summer Love Story of Creation’, we will continue the ‘love’ theme with our new ‘Harvest Love Story of Creation’ pairing menu. This will be launched on 13 February, just in time for Valentine’s Day. In creating the new menu we’ve strived to reflect our love for our farm, our region and for what we do – and we trust that our guests will truly love the results!”