The results of the World’s Best Vineyards (WBV) ratings have just been announced at a special live event in Rioja, Spain. Creation Wines in the Hemel-en-Aarde, situated near the coastal town of Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa has, for the fourth year, been placed among the world’s top 50 vineyards and joins a prestigious line-up of the top five: Catena Wines, Argentina; Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal, Spain; VIK, Chile; Creation Wines, South Africa and Château Smith Haut Lafitte, France. This is the fourth time that Creation has been listed as the number one estate in South Africa and on the African continent.
From left to right: Tim Atkin MW, Carolyn Martin, Creative Director and Co-Owner Creation Wines, Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine at William Reed
Andrew Reed, Managing Director Wine and Exhibitions at William Reed, comments: “The World’s Best Vineyards continues to highlight wine tourism destinations around the globe and with an impressive list of new entries this year, it’s more important than ever. We’ve found that local and international tourists are looking for experiences that offer a range of activities and our host Rioja truly fits the bill with stunning scenery, delicious food and of course, amazing wines.”
The World’s Best Vineyards is an annual listing that highlights the best winery destinations and experiences in the world. The prestigious list spans five continents and is created after the nominations of some 500 wine, travel and wine tourism experts have been counted and collated. Voters are asked to nominate the overall experiences they consider to be the best in the world and that they personally would recommend.
From left to right: Glenn Martin , son and 4th generation winemaker, Carolyn Martin, Creative Director and Co-owner, Creation Wines
Carolyn Martin, co-owner and creative director of Creation Wines, is currently in Spain, representing South Africa at the international Sustainable Wine Tourism Roundtable, one of several invitations over the past four years that allowed her the opportunity to talk with passion and knowledge about the South African fine wine industry.
“The positive impact this listing has on the estate and our fine wine industry, cannot be underestimated. Creation’s commitment to a sustainable wine and tourism industry has been well documented, and being given a world stage such as this provides further impetus and inspiration to our team.
“So many elements need to be brought into harmony to create and enhance our visitor experience. We want to preserve our natural heritage for generations to come and this must be at the very core of not only the fine wines we produce, but the fine people we must grow.”
The excellent ratings reflected by the WBV panel serve as further motivation to the entire Creation team. From the custodians who work in the vineyards and cellar to the chefs and wine ambassadors in the Tasting Room, the sense of affirmation over the past number of years has been palpable. It also underscores Carolyn’s contention that a key factor in a sustainable wine tourism industry is the focus on people.
“We actively encourage every member of our team to be goal oriented and offer them opportunities to advance their skills on many levels. Our training is as diverse as leadership and communication courses to lectures on mental health.” The result is an extremely high retention rate, a supportive and cohesive team and most importantly, a community eager to develop its potential to the highest possible level.
“We are enormously grateful to receive the recognition of our entire team’s efforts and for the impact it has on everyone involved,” says Carolyn.
The recognition also reflects on Creation’s close collaboration with leading scientific and academic initiatives such as ClimaVin, a global climate change project spearheaded by Stellenbosch University. Another ongoing venture is the Vititec GEN-Z project, involving experimental plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to establish clones and rootstocks best suited to mitigate climate change. Participating in panel discussions such as the recent ARENI Global think tank on the Future of Fine Wine in California offers the opportunity to contribute to building a sustainably secure, prosperous and just global wine industry, says Carolyn.
Creation’s people are acutely aware of the responsibility that lies with a farm that borders the Cape Floral Kingdom. All of them have become champions of biodiversity and preserving the surrounding natural world of fauna and flora. Guests also begin their Creation experience through indigenous gardens fragrant with natural vegetation. As Carolyn so succinctly puts it, “visiting Creation is an immersion in nature.”
Without a doubt, the recognition this award affords Creation is a huge boost to their vision of a sustainable, caring and innovative estate, in pursuit of a proudly ethical wine tourism industry in South Africa.
The last word goes to Carolyn: “Our purpose at Creation is to produce fine wine, especially Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and pair it with equally fine food. This is critically important for us to grow and thrive; opening the way to our mantra, and that is ‘innovation’. Without innovation, we cannot be sustainable. We also have a mission to broaden horizons and create a world view, which includes strengthening bilateral relations, assisting in building cultural diversity and inclusion, and securing the future of fine wine in South Africa.”
Social handles: @creationwines @worldsbestvineyards @greatwinecapitals
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- Creation Photo Library
#WorldsBestVineyards #WorldBestVineyards2023 #creationnation #creationinnovation #hemelenaarde #hermanus #southafrica #wosaSA
ENDS
Enquiries:
Carolyn Martin
carolyn@creationwines.com
+27 72 673 1880
