JC Martin | Winemaker & Owner Of Creation Wines
Rich Bounty!
JC Martin owner and winemaker of Creation Wines in the Hemel en Aarde Valley came to Hermanus in 2006. On a holiday to South Africa in 2002 him and his wife Carolyn stumbled across what would become their ‘little piece of paradise’. It was perched high up on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge and blessed with an enviable maritime terroir, ideal for the growing of top quality wine grapes – they could not resist and now as they say, the rest is history!
Invested talent and flair is what JC has brought to the Hermanus Wine Route and Creation Wines reflects that beauty!
ShowMe catches up with the JC Martin, here is what he had to say about all his passions in life!
What made you decide to become a winemaker?
The inspiration came from my grandfather, Jules Martin, who established our family winery on the steep banks of Lake Bienne in Switzerland way back in 1935.
Hermanus is …
Becoming a sought-after wine destination as much as it is a wonderful seaside town. In terms of hectares, some 15 Hermanus producers have the equivalent of two large farms in Stellenbosch and yet occupy approximately 25% of South Africa’s top restaurant wine lists.
I love Hermanus in …
Autumn. First of all because it’s harvest-time and I love the excitement that comes with the harvest. It is also the most pleasant time of the year with lovely windless days.
If Hermanus was a wine it would be …
Pinot Noir because it is fresh, delicious, elegant, well balanced and exciting!
In your opinion what makes Hermanus better than other wine-growing regions in S.A.?
The cool climate influenced by the Atlantic sea breeze and the stable weather conditions during the growth period. At Creation we have an altitude of 350 metres above sea level and our 450-million-year-old soils that have never been planted to vines before.
What wine do you think represents who you are and your life?
Pinot Noir – It is a life-time achievement to master this cultivar.
As they say, the rest is history! – JC Martin
My favourite wine is …
Pinot Noir – It’s a sly chameleon wine – great for quaffing on the terrace and also good for pairing with food. The Creation Pinot has exquisite fruit, soft tannins, beautiful wood integration and works equally well with fish and meat dishes as long as they are not too heavy.
My favourite meal to enjoy this wine with would be?
Yellow Fin Tuna carpaccio. I caught one a couple of weeks ago and Creation’s chef (Warwick Taylor) prepared it beautifully and paired it with the Creation Pinot Noir 2012.
The worst thing I ever drank was…
A liquorice liqueur. I tasted it a long time ago in Switzerland; the French like to drink it in bars, but I found it to be gross!
The best part of my job is …
Walking in the vineyards early in the morning to check the quality and development of the grapes. And then of course the excitement of the harvest.
I would really love to visit …
The wine-growing areas of the USA, having been to most of the other winelands of the world.
I wish I knew then what I do know now …
That Creation was so well suited to wine-growing. We would have bought it earlier – and our vines would have been older by now.
My best memories are …
Eating crayfish and drinking Chardonnay with a sea view!
More info on the town of Hermanus |