Nature is the very inspiration that is Creation. Whatever our trials, our ethos of constant innovation and agility help us and our community to get back on track – to improve and to transform! Having planned a trip well in advance with our agents in Europe and our friends in hospitality in the Channel Islands, Daniela and I left our strong and resourceful team to manage the fallout of the floods in our region and to take care of our guests with their expertise and exceptional level of hospitality. Confident that Creation was in good hands, we set off to expand our horizons. Energy is life!
The Netherlands: Haarlem, 1 – 2 October 2023
Apart from the pleasure of meeting up with our Netherlands partner Vinites, this was also an opportunity to see our daughter, Emma, who is currently doing an exchange programme between Stellenbosch and Maastricht Universities. The idea of creating a world vision enhances relationships and fosters understanding across the world.
On Sunday we visited restaurant JP 1886 in the Zaandam to do a private client tasting and introduce Creation. We were treated like royalty with exceptional hospitality and the most delicious sushi, which of course pairs brilliantly with our fine, mineral-rich wines. Truly a must-visit place when in the Netherlands!
A quick stop in Amsterdam gave me the opportunity of connecting with a cousin – always a joy to catch up with family! On the Monday morning we were back in Haarlem for a trade tasting on the main stage of Patronaat, followed by masterclasses for the on-trade in a dressing room. Patronaat is one of the largest alternative pop music halls in the Netherlands and what a cool place to showcase our wines. Our fine wine truly rocked and Vinites invited clients and trade to an Abba concert and a fun food truck dinner afterwards.
Switzerland: Lausanne, 3 October 2023
Early the next morning we left for Lausanne, where our destination was EHL, the number one hospitality business school in the world. Here we caught up with our wonderful friend Ayrton Toner whom we had met at the ARENI Global ‘Rethinking the Future of Fine Wine’ conference in Paris earlier this year.
EHL trains students whose goals are to obtain managerial careers in the hotel and hospitality industry and what an experience it was to tour the facility – from the kitchens of Berceau des Sens, the Michelin-starred training restaurant at EHL to their basketball courts!
Our visit culminated in a wine tasting with WeWine, who aims to bring the ‘Culture of the Glass’ to EHL students through immersive tastings and exclusive seminars. It was an amazing opportunity to taste with a packed classroom of future hospitality industry leaders.
I look forward to bringing you the highlights of the second leg of our trip next week; so watch this space …
Carolyn Martin: Creation Wines