Ataraxia is one of the newer farms in the area, having been founded in 2004 by husband-and-wife team Kevin and Hanli. The 47 hectares of prime vineyard land called The Skyfields is located on a unique, elevated section of the Valley that offers up beautiful views and excellent growing conditions, conditions that have helped to create some incredible wines boasting balance, depth and finesse.

The vineyards themselves are planted on elevated, predominantly south facing slopes, with soils that dictate which grape cultivars are planted. After meticulous study and research, Kevin decided that the best wine “vehicles” to express this terroir were Chardonnay and Pinot noir. His belief is that “the more pure the voice of the soil, the more interesting the wine” – Michael Chiarello.

Nestled amongst manicured vineyards at the foot of the imposing Babylonstoren mountain range, visitors will find the Ataraxia Wine Lounge. The views from here have been described as “…one of the most spectacular and dramatic positions in the whole wine world”, and rightly so. Built as a chapel in the vernacular architectural style of the region, it offers a place for visitors to relax whilst tasting the four vintages on offer – an unwooded Sauvignon Blanc, a wooded Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and a red blend called Serenity. The views from the balcony or the luxurious lounge are breath-taking, adding to an experience that is guarenteed to leave an idelibly satisfying impression on all visitors.

WINE TASTING TIMES
Monday - Friday | 09h00 - 16h00
Saturday | 10h00 - 17h00
Public Holidays | 10h00 - 17h00

Closed Sundays, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day

In 2002 Jean-Claude (JC) and Carolyn Martin took up the challenge of establishing a winery in a remote corner of the Walker Bay Wine Region. The 40 hectares of rolling land on the mountainous slopes of the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge had never been planted to vines before, but recognising the vast potential, they set out with tenacity and determination to transform it into a model wine farm. Nowadays the farm and restaurant are a popular stop along the Wine Route.

Situated high up the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge near Hermanus, Creation’s vines climb the steep hills of Babylon Toren Mountain to a lofty altitude of 350 metres above sea level. Here they bask in generous sunlight, flourish in 450-million-year-old clay loam soils with decomposed Bokkeveld shale and these factors result in full-flavoured grapes of outstanding quality, allowing for the creation of complex wines with length and depth.

Creation is also a member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) and is committed to conserving the natural heritage of the area by implementing long-term biodiversity as well as sustainability programmes. The farm also complies with the sustainability guidelines laid down by the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme and all our recent releases boast the proud ‘green seal’.

Creation’s tasting area has been built according to the owner’s preference – in a location that best exhibits all that Creation and the area has to offer. The tastings includes canape wine and food pairings, secret wine and food pairings as well as a 10 AM brunch pairing. The modern and bright structure opens up onto wide balconies and a small garden in which visitors are welcome to enjoy their wine tastings and pairings whilst being surrounded by beautiful artworks and architecture that create the overall impression of light and elegance, something that Creation has always aimed to achieve in both their wines and their food.

WINE TASTING TIMES
Monday - Friday | 10h00 - 17h00
Saturday - Sunday | 10h00 - 17h00

RESTAURANT TIMES
Monday - Friday | 11h00 - 16h00
Saturday - Sunday | 11h00 - 16h00

Background

Hamilton Russell Vineyards – one of the most southerly wine estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea – pioneered viticulture and winemaking in the beautiful, cool, maritime, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The Estate specialises in producing highly individual, terroir driven Pinot noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as among the finest in the New World, while bearing, at times, an uncanny resemblance to classic Pinot noir and Chardonnay from the Old World.

Owner, Anthony Hamilton Russell, took over from his father and founder, Tim Hamilton Russell in 1991, and bought the property from the family in 1994.  Tim originally purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975 and was the pioneering winegrower in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley with their first vintage in 1981.  Anthony narrowed their focus to Pinot noir and Chardonnay alone and registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as an “Estate", committing to only work with grapes from their terroir.  Extensive soil research in 1994 identified 52 hectares of stony, iron and clay-rich, shale-derived soil as optimal for the individual, classic, origin expressive style they aim for.  The team focuses on producing a single estate grown Pinot noir and a single estate grown Chardonnay as a red and white expression of their 52 hectare monopole on their 170 hectare estate.

Anthony with his wife Olive, winemaker Emul Ross and viticulturist Johan Montgomery, are completely dedicated to expressing the personality of Hamilton Russell Vineyards in their wines. Tiny yields and intense worldwide demand keep the elegant, highly individual, estate grown Pinot noir and Chardonnay in short supply.

Opening hours
Monday - Friday - 09h00 - 17h00  
Saturday - 09h00 - 14:00