The 18th of August is International Pinot Noir Day and while celebrating their favourite red cultivar this month, the team at Creation Wines are also looking at a journey that began with a leap of faith 21 years ago.
It all started with the perfect ‘pairing.’ Jean–Claude (JC) Martin married Carolyn Finlayson, both from pioneering wine families spanning three generations and two continents. JC grew up on his family’s wine estate on the steep banks of Lake Bienne in Switzerland, while Carolyn’s family established at least eight wine estates in South Africa.
Then there was the discovery of land for sale in the Hemel-en-Aarde, land blessed with raw potential but with not a vine planted. Pinot Noir was a passion for JC, but when it was combined with a unique and diverse blend of geology, soil, altitude, aspect and climate, it resulted in years to come, in no fewer than four fine Pinot Noir wines, each with its own character, complexity and subtle layers of taste.
JC has just planted another new block of Pinot Noir, his eyes focused on coaxing out a new generation of his favourite varietal. It is a block that he and his team will watch and tend as closely as they did when those first vines were planted in 2002.
What Creation has achieved over 21 years is a continuum: gradual but meaningful change over the decades with sustainability the key. What began as a partnership between a couple with a passion for wine laid the groundwork for growing people in the industry, a respect for the natural environment, and the understanding that with all the pillars in place, guests would make their way purposefully up the beautiful valley and to the ridge to share in the experience.