FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge winery celebrates provenance through its renamed Ridge Collection of wines
HERMANUS, Western Cape – 28 August 2025 – Creation Wines, the acclaimed Hemel-en-Aarde winery, is proud to share a more accurate and evocative name for its sought-after Reserve range: Ridge.
‘At Creation, we’re always interested in innovation and the next generation,’ says co-founder and creative director Carolyn Martin, revealing that the suggestion to move from Reserve to Ridge came from son Glenn, fourth-generation viticulturist and winemaker, while completing his Business of Wine course through the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business.
‘This isn’t just a name change,’ says Carolyn. ‘It’s finally telling the authentic story that these wines have always deserved.’
Founded in 2002, Creation is located in the Hemel-en-Aarde’s smallest, coolest and most elevated wine appellation, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, where ocean breezes sweep up the valley to meet steep mountain slopes, while ancient soils anchor virus-free vines into 500 million years of history.
With seams of quartz running through mostly decomposed Bokkeveld shale and Table Mountain sandstone soils, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge is geographically distinct from its sister appellations, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde. It boasts the highest elevation (240m-350m above sea level), the greatest diurnal fluctuation (up to 12°C), and countless slopes and aspects on the hills that undulate beneath the towering Babilonstoring.
‘What makes Ridge extraordinary is its unique terroir composition,’ says Creation co-founder and cellarmaster Jean-Claude (JC) Martin. ‘In terms of soil, the shale provides structure and mineral complexity, while the sandstone offers perfumed aromatics. In terms of microclimate, prolonged ripening periods help grapes develop complex flavours and phenolic maturity, while cool ocean breezes maintain natural acidity. Our elevation sweet spot delivers both intensity and elegance, the perfect balance.’
JC explains that the four Ridge wines (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Grenache Noir) sit in between the Estate wines, which express Creation’s traditional, low-intervention style of winemaking, and its four flagship wines (Art of Pinot Noir, Art of Chardonnay, Emma’s Pinot Noir and Glenn’s Chardonnay), which are very site specific. ‘In a way, our single-vineyard flagships are pieces of the Ridge puzzle,’ he says. ‘When wines from these sites are put together, they provide an overview of our terroir. Ridge a very niche pocket, where vine health and age are significant.’
Sustainability is a key tenet at Creation, whose virus-free vineyards flourish in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom. ‘We never lose sight of the fact that we are part of something much larger,’ says Carolyn. ‘Indigenous fynbos thrives all over the farm, and we have also preserved the natural vlei areas. Natural flora rehabilitation, wildlife protection, responsible irrigation and regenerative farming methods are all part of our long-term strategy. We’re not just preserving terroir for today – we’re nurturing it for the generations to come.’
The Martins’ children, Glenn and Emma, represent the fourth generation of winemakers on both sides of the family. Says Carolyn, whose father is the legendary Walter Finlayson (86): ‘Every Ridge bottle represents the marriage of traditional techniques with innovative thinking – honouring the past while embracing the future.’
The Ridge Collection currently consists of four wines, each sourced from elevated vineyard sites in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge:
Creation Ridge Pinot Noir 2024
Cool-climate maritime elegance. Mineral complexity from shale, aromatic lift from sandstone. Bright red fruit with black tea aromas, earthy undertones and hints of piquant spice. Complex yet smooth with supple tannins promising excellent maturation potential.
Creation Ridge Chardonnay 2024
Pure expression of cool, coastal, elevated Ridge terroir. Structural minerality, refined texture, racy natural acidity. Slow ripening intensifies vibrant citrus, apple and stone fruit layers, softened by the gentle caress of French oak.
Creation Ridge Syrah 2022
A spicy coastal Syrah with silky tannins, reminiscent of Saint-Joseph, Northern Rhône. Violets on the nose, flavours ranging from sun-dried peach and maraschino cherry to savoury black olive, with lingering white pepper and spice. A balanced wine of great complexity.
Creation Ridge Grenache Noir 2024
From Hemel-en-Aarde’s oldest Grenache vines, planted in 2003. Floral perfume of rose petals and Asian Five Spice leads to concentrated red fruit complexity with understated oak. Velvety mouthfeel, quite grippy in youth, with generous structural balance for long future.
ENDS
ABOUT CREATION WINES
Established in 2002 by Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin, Creation Wines is located in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, a wine ward in the Walker Bay district of the Cape South Coast region. Here, on the world’s most ancient soils, a cool maritime climate allows for extended grape ripening while maintaining natural acidity – conditions that also support remarkable natural biodiversity. The winery combines traditional winemaking techniques with innovative terroir expression through regenerative winegrowing to produce internationally acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir alongside other varieties.
NOTES TO EDITOR
Technical sheets, high-resolution images and interviews available on request.
MEDIA CONTACT
Carolyn Martin
Email: carolyn@creationwines.com
WhatsApp: +27 (0)82 673 1880