Creation Wines | Cultivating Creation Energy

Great Wine Capitals announced the winners of their 2024 Regional Best Of Wine Tourism Awards and the Creation Wines team is delighted to have won in two of the Western Cape categories: Wine Tourism Services and Art and Culture.

“Transformative experiences are what our guests are looking for and Nature is the very inspiration and innovation that is Creation,”

– Carolyn Martin

Situated high on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, Creation Wines welcomes you with a postcard-perfect view of rolling vineyard hills. These vineyards comprising ancient clay loam soils with decomposed bokkeveld shale and benefiting from cool maritime conditions, produce full-flavoured grapes of outstanding quality, allowing for the creation of complex wines with length and depth. Additionally, the mountainous slopes of the Babylonstoren Mountain rise to a lofty altitude of 350 meters above sea level, enhancing the background of this postcard-perfect view.

The tasting room is an elegant space with expansive views over the surrounding vineyards. The beautifully manicured Creation fynbos garden is adorned with stunning sculptures created by Nanette Ranger, and you can often spot beautiful birds enjoying themselves in the garden. “At Creation, we believe that wine and food pairing is an art in itself” – Carolyn Martin.

Their Cultivating Creation Energy menu is a celebration of the 2024 Creation harvest. “We want to share all the good energy that has gone into raising our vines, cultivating our grapes, making our wines, and pairing them with the finest produce from our region.” – Carolyn Martin

The menu comprises of five courses, each perfectly paired with an award-winning Creation wine, and is designed for flexitarians. The menu features 80% plant-based dishes and also includes local fish and meat from sustainable sources.

Welcome Course

Creation Sauvignon BlancMinerality Rules!
Green Booster

We started off our meal with a Green Booster, artfully presented in vine cups made from the imprint of a Pinot Noir leaf. These cups brimmed with a vibrant, green concoction of avocado, cucumber, coconut cream, green pepper, mint, thyme, basil and lemon juice, topped with a drizzle of olive oil, roasted pine nuts and delicate cucumber slivers. This delightful starter was paired with Creation Sauvignon Blanc 2023. The crisp minerality of the wine highlights the fresh ingredients in the booster, enhancing the dish’s fresh, herbaceous flavours with its own crisp acidity and notes of tropical fruit.

Starting the meal with a green booster is part of a thoughtful sequence designed to optimise digestion. This fiber-rich, nutrient-packed dish sets the stage for the courses that follow, ensuring you feel energised and satisfied rather than sluggish or bloated by the end of your meal.

Chapter 1

Creation ViognierVivaldi in a glass
Agedashi Tofu

The Viognier is poured, revealing a pale gold hue that catches the light beautifully. Its bouquet greets your nose with aromatic and floral notes intertwined with a rich, creamy character. These aromas translate seamlessly onto the palate, where they are complemented by a crisp minerality and well-integrated natural acidity. Its versatility shines through as it pairs exceptionally well with creamy dishes and asian cuisine, adeptly absorbing and enhancing the spices within the dishes.

This Viognier 2023 is paired with Agedashi Tofu, a delightful dish of silken tofu deep-fried to a delicate crisp and served in a bowl of kombu dashi broth. The tofu is garnished with thinly sliced spring onions, deep-fried ginger, fish flakes that accentuate the wine’s umami notes, together with deep-fried parsley highlighting the wine’s freshness and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. The silken tofu enhances the Viognier’s creamy texture, creating a harmonious and luxurious pairing. Absolutely delicious!

Creation Roussanne, Grenache Blanc 2022

This wine is a blend of 50% Roussanne and 50% Grenache Blanc, fermented in concrete eggs for 11 months. It is aptly described as “Rain in a Summer Herb Garden” featuring aromas of orange, apricot and peach. These aromas are beautifully reflected on the finely nuanced palate, where a titillating mineral tension combines with the characteristic cool-climate crispness. The result is a delightfully vivacious and exceptionally food-friendly wine.

Chapter 2

Creation Reserve ChardonnayAbsolutely Brilliant Chardonnay
Steamed Fish, Turmeric, Dill, Dune Spinach

When it comes to pairing Chardonnay with steamed fish, the combination is a culinary match made in heaven. A delicate piece of Cape Bream is steamed to perfection and served on a bed of wild rice and rice purée, which enhances the wine’s natural sweetness. You can even trace the story of the responsibly sourced ABALOBI fish by scanning the QR code to discover where it is caught, and by whom. A creamy, flavourful sauce made from rice milk, turmeric and coconut cream envelops the fish, adding layers of richness and warmth. Garnished with crispy rice noodles for a delightful crunch that echoes the buttery notes of the Chardonnay, along with fresh dill leaves and dune spinach to highlight the wine’s crispness and zest, the dish is a harmonious blend of flavours and textures.

This exquisite dish is beautifully paired with Creation Reserve Chardonnay 2023, a single-vineyard wine that has spent time ageing in barrels. On the nose, it is crisp and vibrant with fruity aromas that carry through to the palate, complemented by a subtle hint of honey. The wine’s well-structured and well-integrated profile balances the creamy, turmeric-infused sauce, while its brightness and acidity cut through the richness of the coconut cream. The Chardonnay’s buttery undertones resonate with the crispy rice noodles, creating a perfectly balanced and elegant pairing.

Creation Glenn’s Chardonnay 2022

Made with grapes from the same block as The Art of Chardonnay and entirely wild yeast fermented, this wine reveals a savoury and complex profile. On the nose, it exudes aromas of ripe orchard fruits, mingled with subtle hints of brioche and hazelnut. The palate is smooth and refined, with a whisper of minerality and beautifully balanced by vibrant acidity.

Creation Rosé 2023

This rosé is made from Grenache Noir, Syrah and Viognier with only 2.5 hours skin contact. This wine graces the glass with a delicate rose-gold hue, revealing subtle aromas of crushed strawberries, ripe nectarines and delicate flower petals. Its palate culminates with the invigorating essence of pomegranates and a graceful silkiness.

Chapter 3

Creation Reserve Pinot NoirRed Velvet
Duck Breast, Edamame, Fennel, Pistachio Gremolata

When Creation’s Reserve Pinot Noir, The Art of Pinot Noir and Emma’s Pinot Noir are presented before you, it’s clear that a treat awaits. The Art of Pinot Noir and Emma’s Pinot Noir 2022, both single-site specific and barrel-selected, boast complex velvety textures, with layers of spice, perfume and abundant red fruits. The Reserve Pinot Noir 2022 is smooth yet complex, featuring layers of dried fruit, piquant spice and supple tannins.

As part of a sensory experiment, a silk scarf and a textured velvet bag were placed before us. As you sip the wine and move your tongue along the top of your palate, you feel the surface texture combined with the structure and consistency of the wine. Pinot Noir is renowned for its delicate and nuanced flavours, ranging from floral to fruity and earthy. Imagine the lightness and fluidity of silk scarves versus the firmness and roughness of linen or the weight, density and elasticity of velvet. Texture in wine means how it feels in your mouth and the way it feels when you touch it.

Nothing pairs as beautifully as a succulent Duck Breast with crispy skin, served with a fennel and watercress salad and braised onions to pick up the smokiness in the wine. The edamame bean hummus and pistachio gremolata provide a rich foundation for the dish, creating a perfect harmony with the intricate flavours and textures of the Pinot Noir. This pairing elevates the dining experience, highlighting the wine’s elegant complexity and the dish’s complementary components.

Chapter 4

Creation Syrah, GrenacheOh so Umami…
Bone Marrow, Broth, Capers, Lemon, Cape Seed Loaf

This wine is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, creating a Rhône-style blend with intense flavours of ripe plum, black pepper, tapenade and umami. The inclusion of Grenache helps balance the spiciness of the Syrah.

The umami-rich profile of the wine pairs exquisitely with the salty bone marrow topped with crispy capers, which cut through the tannins and spice in the wine. This dish is served alongside a flavourful bone broth and gluten-free bread. The idea is to scoop the marrow onto the bread, add a spoonful of gravy, or enjoy the broth on its own. The wine’s intense umami flavours complement the rich, savoury marrow, while the crispy capers add a delightful contrast to the smooth texture, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Chapter 5

Creation ElationPure Joy!
Custard, Figs, Num-Num, Almond, Tuile

Our sensory journey culminated in a delightful crescendo with a glass of Creation’s Elation Cap Classique 2019. A vibrant and bubbly creation that marries Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in perfect harmony. This Cap Classique delivers a crisp yet exuberant experience, adorned with an elegant finesse that sets it apart.

This bubbly wine goes perfectly with a dessert that tastes great and looks beautiful. The gluten and lactose-free Elation Infused Custard is smooth and blends well with the fruity num-num gel. Alongside, there’s a fig and raspberry sorbet for a refreshing contrast. The dessert also includes almond sablé and almond and fig crumble for a crunchy texture and nutty taste. A honeycomb tuile adds a delicate sweetness, garnished with lemon verbena leaves. The wine’s acidity balances the sweetness of the dessert, and its bubbles keep your mouth feeling fresh after each bite, making you feel happy and satisfied. A pure joy indeed!

The decadent and indulgent Cape Vintage Praline, resembling mini gold bars, surprised and delighted with its rich flavours. Paired perfectly with Creation Fine Cape Vintage Port 2022, this dessert showcased an inviting bouquet of peach, dried apricots and honeyed fruit, accompanied by hints of black cherry and the lingering essence of anise. Crafted from Syrah grapes and aged for nearly 18 months in barrels, this port wine boasts a dense, deep color with flashes of royal purple and hints of red. Its well-balanced sweetness is beautifully complemented by crisp fruitiness, making it a delightful and harmonious dessert wine.

The integration of the garden’s art and culinary experiences showcase how food and art, combined with innovation, create a state-of-the-art experience that is on a whole different level. From their knowledgeable and attentive staff, and amazing wine and food pairing options to elegant touches of Riedel glassware, everything combines to offer a truly memorable experience.

“Creativity is the energy that drives progress and innovation.”

Book your Creation experience:

Email: reservations@creationwines.com
Tel: +27 28 212 1107 and specify your dietary requirements.

Creation also offers an À la Carte Menu comprising a delectable selection of savoury and sweet dishes. In addition, delicious, nutritious Breakfast and Kids Menus are served.

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