Creation Wines is at the heart of a new food, wine, sights and sounds experience. It’s a tasting tour that will be your most valuable souvenir of Hermanus
What better way to explore a destination than to follow a trail that stimulates the senses and imprints unique memories of your stay. Combining some of the best land-based whale watching in the world in season, this cleverly designed gastronomic tour led by Susan Mann, does just that!
Creation Wines opened their “little black book” of valued partners who not only offer exceptional service, but the authentic food and wine experiences designed by local craftspeople and artisans.
“Connecting, collaborating and innovating is part of Creation success,” says Creation’s creative director and co-owner, Carolyn Martin.
“Since we believe ‘what grows together goes together,’ we want to share this philosophy and link our guests with our suppliers and a handful of iconic establishments, so they experience our local treasures and support our community.”
The tour begins at the Hermanus Tourism Bureau with an invitation to don a Mardee hat designed by entrepreneur Mardee Cita. The colourful Ndebele-inspired designs fly colours and patterns unique to South Africa and not only offer smart shade but are eye-catching originals.
From the bureau, the tour takes you to the spectacular cliff’s edge of Gearing’s Point where Just Pure, originated by perfume alchemist Tamsin Koen, boasts one of the best oceans views in the town. Here guests taste a deliciously crisp Creation Sauvignon Blanc and healthy green juice booster after a hand cleansing experience using hand-crafted, environmentally sensitive natural products. Centred on The Perfume of Wine sensory experience, guests learn about the therapeutic properties of essential oils. Creation commissions these products for their Tasting Room to connect their ethos of wellness and sustainability with a local producer focused on authentic South African products using plant oils, herb extracts and natural active ingredients.
From Just Pure, the tour skirts the cliff path to the Wine Glass positioned in one of the town’s most creative zones. Art galleries, and clothing and jewellery boutiques will have you making notes to return but at this destination stocked with a wonderful range of local wines, Creation Rosé is paired with a crisp, light Vietnamese Spring Roll with an optional extra tasting of the estate’s signature Chardonnay range.
From this specialist wine-tasting venue, the tour heads to the spectacular Walker Bay promenade where in season, Southern Right whales spy hop, calve and breach ocean beneath the stone walkway.
Down a flight of stone steps lies one of the most unusual and acclaimed restaurants in the town, the Old Harbour Perlemoen, which hugs the cliff face scant metres from breakers that sweep up the historic slipway. The air is infused with ocean mist, and it is here that Creation Viognier is paired with abalone tasting plates. Guests are invited to hold a shell to their ears and “hear” the sea while letting their taste buds savour the fragrant notes of the wine with the distinct umami taste of the shellfish. The magical illusion of sound and taste immensely enhances the experience and stimulates the senses.
The promenade that curves along the sheltered old harbour, is an art and fashion route to be explored later but leads to one of the town’s iconic destinations. The Marine Hotel with over a century of history, became a key attraction for those in search of the famous Hermanus “champagne air.” From rudimentary beginnings, the hotel in its modern guise is famous for its classic elegance. Here Creation’s signature Pinot Noir is paired with a delicious dish of Overberg lamb. Tables are set with crisp white tablecloths with touches of aqua to connect with the ocean beyond. Known for its excellent service and warm, relaxed atmosphere, the hotel epitomises the Creation ideal of accessible sophistication.
Equally valuable is experience and expertise. The tour meanders to the centre of town to Wine & Co, where some of the world’s most exceptional vintages from boutique estates and independent winemakers create a “library” of wines. It’s a destination for discerning wine lovers and anyone who needs expert advice – which is generously given. Here Creation pairs their Elation bubbly with Anysbos Tafelberg cheese with GoSlow gluten-free Melba. If you’re carried away by the experience and can’t wait to ship your favourites home in the world, Wine & Co have you covered.
The tour has an unusual grand finale. Guests who have tasted and fallen madly and deeply for Creation’s Fine Cape Vintage will have noticed that it is presented in a covetable black velvet pouch. Not only is the texture reminiscent of this velvety and smooth Creation Vintage but connects touch and taste in a masterful way. Paired with what can only be described as a wickedly more-ish Von Geusau Praline, you’d be forgiven if you articulate a small sigh… It’s that delicious a combination. These velvet bags and napery found at Creation in the Hemel-en-Aarde, are hand crafted here. It’s worth asking about the story behind this shop that once housed a bank and a jeweller in the earliest days of the town’s history. Today it is the go-to for residents and visitors for décor, fabric, limited-edition fashion and excellent service.
The tour ends at Hermanus Tourism Bureau after about four hours but consider it a “starter” for your Hermanus experience, an appetite stimulation for bespoke, original experiences. It is designed to entice your return and leaves you with not only sense-memories but experiences that are likely to coax you back. But there is a bigger, more vital picture.
“Part of the inspiration for this journey is the UNESCO Creative Cities listing for Gastronomy in the Overstrand/Overberg that we were granted as a region in 2019, “ says Carolyn. “What better way to celebrate our pristine environment and quality produce than a tour that makes these important connections.”
