Carolyn Martin, co-founder at Creation Wines, South Africa, talks to Sommelier Edit about why South African wines are the sommeliers secret weapon.
Translating as “heaven and earth,” Hemel-en-Aarde is home to Creation Wnes, known for its fresh, refined Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Swiss winemaker JC Martin and his South African wife, Carolyn, planted 50 hectares of virgin soil in 2002 and decided to build an estate from scratch. Carolyn explains why she believes South African wines are a must for sommeliers.
SE: How would you describe the winemaking philosophy in South Africa?
Carolyn: The winemaking approach combines innovation with respect for traditional methods, creating wines of remarkable character and complexity that resonate particularly well with European palates. There are also many site-specific wines even within these regions for sommeliers to discover and showcase.”
SE: Can you tell us about the geological and stylistic uniqueness of South African wines?
Carolyn: “The most ancient vinous geology with the youngest spirit gives sommeliers versatile tools for their programmes. South African wines often combine European-style structure, restraint and elegance with New World fruit expression and accessibility. This balance makes our wines particularly adaptable to diverse cuisines, an essential consideration for sommeliers designing wine pairings in cosmopolitan settings.”
She continues, “Creation’s Pinot Noir reveals ‘clear Burgundian inspiration elevated through African terroir’—a wine that ‘references tradition whilst expressing something uniquely South African’, picking up on hints of fynbos and ancient vinous geology dating back 3.6 billion years—the oldest vinous geology on Earth. This combination of familiar and novel elements creates compelling talking points for sommeliers.”
SE: How do South African wines compare in terms of value to other wine regions?
Carolyn: “Exceptional quality-to-price ratio at premium price points provides sommeliers with compelling alternatives to more established regions. When a sommelier can offer a world-class South African Chardonnay or Pinot Noir that costs 20-30% less than comparable Burgundian equivalents, they create value for their guests whilst maintaining healthy margins for their establishments. In an increasingly value-conscious market, this proposition becomes even more compelling for fine dining establishments and wine-focused venues.”
What about food pairing? Are South African wines versatile in this respect?
Carolyn: “Gastronomic versatility makes our wines particularly valuable to sommeliers crafting tasting menus or managing diverse wine lists. The natural acidity and balanced structure in wines from cooler regions like Hemel-en-Aarde create food-friendly profiles that complement rather than overwhelm cuisine. This versatility is increasingly recognised by sommeliers who seek wines that enhance rather than dominate the dining experience.”
She adds, “Creation’s wines have exceptional gastronomic versatility due to the climatic circumstances with cool Atlantic breezes and diurnal temperature fluctuations, allowing us to produce wines with great natural acidity but also aromatics and texture. This makes them ideal for pairing menus because these wines cleanse the palate between mouthfuls of food but have the freshness, elegance and complexity to complement the most exquisite dishes.”
SE: Sustainability is an important topic. How does South Africa perform in this regard?
Carolyn: “Compelling sustainability narratives resonate with environmentally conscious establishments and their clientele globally. In addition to South Africa’s 59 WWF Conservation Champions, the SAWIS IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) certification system provides a level of environmental credibility and production traceability that few wine regions worldwide can match. This system allows sommeliers to confidently speak to the sustainable practices behind each bottle and even track specific details of its production journey—from vineyard to glass. This transparency aligns with growing consumer interest in responsible production and provides sommeliers with authentic stories that enhance the dining experience.”
SE: Finally, can you speak to the people and the scale of production behind South African wines?
Carolyn: “Authentic artisanal production adds significant value in an age of corporate consolidation. Our wines emerge from authentic, personal settings—small-scale production with genuine people behind them. Nothing mainstream or industrial here. For sommeliers seeking to build wine programmes with integrity and character, South African wines represent undiscovered gems with genuine stories behind them.”
She elaborates, “At Creation, the same team that does the pruning in the vineyards also does the suckering and the harvesting—it’s like bringing a baby to full term every year. This continuity and care translate directly into the quality and authenticity of the wines, a narrative that resonates deeply with consumers in mature wine markets globally.”
According to Carolyn, “For sommeliers who value discovery, distinctiveness, and delivering exceptional value to their guests, South African wines offer a compelling proposition that combines tradition and innovation, familiarity and uniqueness, in ways that few other wine regions can match.” At Creation Wines, “that rare combination of art, science, people, and sense of place—exemplifies this compelling proposition in every bottle.”
For sommeliers crafting wine programs rich in discovery and story, South African wines—through their diversity, character, and authenticity—are an invitation to offer guests something truly special.
