At Creation Wines, care is not a concept. It is a practice. One that begins in virus-free vineyards, where biodiversity is preserved, not cleared. Where cover crops are planted for soil health, owls control pests naturally and water is managed with intention. This ethos extends into Creation’s commitment to low-impact production, climate resilience and community upliftment. From its recognition as a WWF Conservation Champion to its support of education through the Pebbles Project, Creation’s vision is built on long-term care.
At Samara, that vision finds a parallel. Over nearly three decades, this family-owned reserve has restored former livestock farms into a functioning semi-arid ecosystem. Wildlife has returned. Grasses have recovered. And a new story is unfolding in a landscape once written off.
Creation and Samara are different in geography and output, but aligned in mindset. One rooted in vines, the other in veld. Both shaped by time, family and the belief that working
with Nature leads to something richer, deeper and far more enduring.
From 16-19 May 2025, this alignment comes to life through Wine in the Wilderness, a three-night experience hosted at Samara and guided by Glenn Martin of Creation Wines.
Glenn Martin is part of the next generation at Creation. The son of the estate’s co-founders, Glenn studied Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University, before honing his skills in Portugal, Australia, Germany and Switzerland. He brings a quiet confidence to his work, with a focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, minimal intervention and expression of terroir.
His approach respects the legacy he inherits, but is firmly grounded in his own lived experience and evolving view of winemaking in a changing world. At Samara, Glenn will lead an immersive tasting experience that reflects both that legacy and that vision.
The Creation Wines x Samara weekend (16–19 May 2025) is designed for those who seek meaning in what they taste, where they travel, and how they connect.
Guests will enjoy:
- A guided wine-pairing dinner hosted by Glenn Martin, pairing Creation’s cool-climate wines with Karoo-inspired cuisine
- A wilderness picnic in the reserve, combining simple flavours with grand surroundings
- Daily game drives and a chance to track cheetahs on foot, guided by Samara’s expert team
- A full-day visit to the Stoep Tasting Festival in Graaff-Reinet, where Creation will be pouring alongside some of South Africa’s finest producers
- Unstructured time to reflect, rest and reconnect in Nature
Whether you’re drawn to the wine, the wildlife or the quiet space in between, this weekend offers a rare opportunity to experience two stories woven together by purpose.
Samara Karoo Reserve is a leading conservation journey to restore 67,000 acres of South Africa’s Great Karoo landscape and beyond through rewilding and responsible tourism. Staying at one of Samara’s lodges acts as a direct contribution to this vision.
