WeeklySA_AdminFEAT: Premier praises Creation wine estate after being named No 10 in the World’s Best Vineyards and No 1 in Africa…
By Len Maseko
There really is never a dull moment in South Africa’s Cape winelands – especially this time of the year, when all manner of awards come flying from international wine competitions and other barometers of vinous excellence.
Happily, all of that serves to both confirm the country’s status as the unmissable wine tourism destination of choice and an apt validation of the pedigree of its wines, whose grapes grow from one of the truly magnificent terrains and climates in the world.
No wonder one of the country’s exquisite wine farms made the Top 10 list of the 2021 World Best Vineyards (WBV) – Hermanus-based Creation wine estate. The Walker Bay’s estate was cited for being No 10 in the World’s Best Vineyards 2021, top South African vineyard and No 1 in Africa – a feat attesting to South Africa’s winemaking prowess and increasing recognition as wine tourism destination of distinction.
WBV’s objective is to highlight wine tourism and enhance the visitor experience. Its list is created after the nominations of nearly 600 wine, travel and wine tourism experts from across the globe were counted and collated. Voting involves some 500 leading wine experts, sommeliers and travel journalists whose adjudication is based on various criteria includes the overall experience, ambience, cuisine, activities, views and staff.
Other South African wine farms that were highly commended by WBV are Delaire Graff Estate, Klein Constantia Winery, Spier Wine Farm, Babylonstoren, Steenberg, Groot Constantia, Waterford Estate, Tokara Winery and Haute Cabrière .
Reacting to the accolade, Creation co-owners Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin said their estate’s top ratings were the culmination of our team’s hard work and dynamic culture of creativity.
“Creation, every dawn brought an exciting new challenge and innovation was a way of life,” Carolyn said. “This ethos of constant renewal has led to our estate earning the following accolades in the 2021 World’s Best Vineyards survey: Top-ranking South African Vineyard, Best Vineyard in Africa and Number 10 in the World!”
Handing the trophy to the couple from WBV on Wednesday, Western Cape premier Alan Winde said:“It is heart-warming to see our wine industry doing so well in this prestigious competition, putting our vineyards and cellars on the map. I congratulate Creation Wines on their achievement, and I want to commend the many other South African wine farms that were listed for their achievements,” Winde said.
Situated just a couple of hours’ drive eastwards down the coast from Cape Town, Creation lies in the paradise valley of Hemel-en-Aarde (heaven and earth). It nestles in a cool climate area buttressed by the Atlantic Ocean, from which it produces some iconic Chardonnays, Syrahs and Pinot Noirs.
Every year, some 60 000 local and international gastronomes pilgrimage its neck of the woods to savour an array of wine pairings, including canapés, brunch, chocolate, afternoon tea and a six-course tapas menu. Their experience is enhanced by the surrounds of sublime works of art, hiking, cycling safaris amid the earthly goodness of fynbos vegetation.
Addressing a media lunch hosted by the Western Cape government, Carolyn said: “Since 2002, we have put our passion and energy into making world-class wines, such as our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
We have designed delicious and imaginative seasonal menus using fresh, locally sourced produce. We have trained and developed our team to deliver excellent service and are delighted with their enthusiasm and knowledge”.
Provincial Minister of Agriculture Dr Ivan Meyer said an average wine farm had three main streams of revenue: wine sales, some form of restaurant/tasting centre and tourism activities.
“Creation Wines is succeeding because they pay attention to all three streams of revenue. As a result, it is a world-class estate,” he added.
