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In Paris on Sunday, February 11, Creation Wines was awarded the global V d’Or award for Best Brand Experience. Dubbed the ‘Oscars of Wine’ by Committee Chairperson Michael Chapoutier, the V d’Or celebrates business innovation and CSR commitments among global producers in the wine and spirits industry. The V d’Or is sponsored by VINEXPO in Paris.

Among an impressive list of nominees across the world, the international judging panel chose Creation as the winner of this prestigious award. It is based on five key criteria, including the innovative and original quality of the brand experience, its personality, and consistent quality.

According to the V d’Or committee, Creation’s category represents the significant contribution brand experiences make in the wine industry.

“This is such an important recognition for Creation,” says Brand Creative Director and co-founder, Carolyn Martin. “It is a journey we began over two decades ago with sustainability and innovation at the heart of what we do, and key to how we chartered our course. We are blessed with a beautiful setting in the Hemel-en-Aarde and an enviable climate for producing fine wines such as our flagship Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.

“Creation’s fine wine alchemy is a rare blend of art, science, our people, and a sense of place. We live by ‘what grows together, goes together’ and create pairing menus that reflect the region. No one leaves our table without some sense of the journey we have taken together and the role they have played. This is what creates a memorable experience.”

Submissions called for an extensive and 360-degree exploration of the brand. Judges were exposed to how Creation wines are affected by its terroir, reflecting a true sense of place. The entry also covered the importance of team contribution: the Creation team is encouraged to bring individual culinary heritage to the table, introducing their guests to unique, indigenous tastes and aromas. At the same time, wine lovers experience wines of rare balance, elegance, and finesse. The combination results in a wellness experience with guests leaving, feeling positively transformed and revitalised.

Of critical importance is Creation’s impact on the surrounding community. Not only are Creation teams recruited locally, they are given vital technical and soft skills training. The team’s support of the Pebbles Hemel-en-Aarde project, which provides schooling and nutritional meals to children from the local community, is well recorded. Creation now selects graduates from this project to develop what could become a life-changing career, starting in the Tasting Room or cellar.

“Making Creation’s experience relatable is critical to our success and a positive influence on wine tourism,” says Carolyn.

It has been a stellar 2023-2024 for Creation. The V d’Or award follows Creation’s position as number one in Africa and number four on the World’s Best Vineyards list. The estate furthermore scored 95 points for the Art of Creation Pinot Noir 2022 in the international Decanter Pinot Noir blind tasting, positioning them in the top 5 of the 273 wines tasted. In a recent Robert Parker Wine Advocate review of South African wines, the 2022 Creation Art of Pinot Noir came up tops among the 501 wines tasted, scoring an impressive 95 points. And then Creation was placed first in two categories at the Great Wine Capitals (GWC) Regional Best of Wine Tourism Awards: Wine Tourism Services and Art and Culture. What’s more, the estate was awarded one-star status in The Eat Out Awards, South Africa.