The Creation Pinot Noir (a wine which has taken 450 million years to craft) is the latest addition to our wine list at Londolozi. Grown on ancient decomposed Bokkeveld shale clay loam soils, Creation is based in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge just outside Hermanus in the Western Cape of South Africa.
Creation was founded in 2002 when Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin discovered a tract of virgin land perfectly suited to wine growing. The found this whilst travelling the Hemel-en-Aarde road, along the slopes and valleys of the beautiful Babylon Toren Mountain. They had to build a winery up from scratch in a remote area, with no cell phone reception or fresh running water, and so Creation was born with the first virus-free vineyard planted in South Africa post 1994.
Background of Jean-Claude
Swiss-born JC was only 14 years old when he did his first harvest in his family’s vineyards on the steep banks of Lake Bienne in Switzerland. He completed his viticulture studies in 1991 and qualified as a winemaker in 1995. In 1996 he made his first wine in a converted small garage in a small French-Swiss village, “garagiste” style! The quality of the wine was so impressive that he was offered a winemaking position at the famous winery Grillette in Neuchâtel, where he soon became a director.
Background of Carolyn
Carolyn was born and bred in the Cape Winelands and grew up in a wine-making family. Her grandfather was Maurice Finlayson, who owned Hartenberg, previously known as Montagne. Her father, Walter Finlayson, put Blaauwklippen and Glen Carlou on the map. The Finlayson family have slowly branched out to the Hemel-en-Aarde with various family members producing outstanding wines. Carolyn moved to London after completing her university studies, where she launched her own design company, focusing on the development of world-renowned brands such as Laurent-Perrier. She married JC in 1999 where they settled in Neuchâtel and 3 years later, she managed to lure him back to her home country, South Africa, 8000 miles away.
Creation produces a variety of wines with a strong focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. At Londolozi you can enjoy the Creation Pinot Noir. This wine has undergone traditional skin fermentation followed by malolactic fermentation in barrel and then aged for 10 months 25% new wood, 75% 2nd & 3rd fill. The wine is intensely fragrant with a bouquet of red berries, vanilla and wood spice followed by raspberry and mushrooms on the palate.
Carolyn loves pairing wine with food, and this is one of the main attractions when visiting Creation. If you find yourself in the area, you really should pop in and try one of their many pairing options, from a canapé pairing, to a brunch, chocolate and wine or even a non-alcoholic pairing.
I’d love to know what do you enjoy pairing Pinot Noir with? And which is your favourite Pinot Noir?
Kim,loved
Kim, great to see a post from you again! How exciting to see the Creation wines have found their way to Londolozi! On our last visit to the Cape Winelands, we drove up to the Creation winery for a lovely lunch and wine pairing. It was a great experience and the wines were excellent. It’s in a beautiful spot and you’re right – there is great winemaking in that family for sure!
For us, we love to pair Pinot Noir with roasted duck or roasted pork loin or pork shoulder. Our favorite Pinot Noir is from our great friends at Hamilton Russell Vineyards. Proprietors – Olive and Anthony are the best – and we heard they visited Londolozi again recently!
Dear Kim,
thank you for that excellent information about this special Pinot noir. I am still enjoying the Crystallum, which you recommented. We will looking forward to July, and than have another taste with all the informations you will give, that will be wonderful
Oh lovely, the higher en South African wines are a real joy
Thank you for sharing the story of this wine and why you’ve added it to your wine offerings. We love learning about not only the nature of Londolozi but all the rich stories of the providers that we get to experience on our visits there.
Thank you for sharing the story of JC, Carolyn and Creation. Having not had the pleasure of trying their Pinot, my current favorite is EnRoute from the Russian River Valley produced by Nikkel & Nikkel founders.
Donelan Two Brothers-paired with roast pork!
Look forward to being introduced to Creation next month.
I’m curious about the Beef Wellington that is paired with the wine. What type of meat was used and what was it paired with? It looks delicious.
I actually drink very little red wine but if I do, I’d prefer a French Burgundy, Oregon coast Pinot Noir or a Carneros Pinot noir from the Napa/Sonoma region. Living close to the Napa Valley it’s an easy hour’s drive to taste some of the special ones at a winery and then head off for a sumptuous lunch nearby. Most of the time I’ll enjoy a glass with a long simmering braised dish like short ribs, boeuf bourguignon or a grilled veal rib chop with wine au jus. I enjoy cooking so these are meals I prepare and pair with a Pinot Noir. I appreciated learning more about the Cape’s wine areas.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge about the different wines. I am sure the Pinote Dior is a good wine and happy to hear you have added it to your wine list for Londolozi. The meat on the table on the foto looks delicious, what was it. Good hearing from you again Kim.
Lovely blog Kim.