Constantia
Located a mere 20-minute drive from Cape Town, Constantia is the birthplace of South Africa’s wine journey.
Located a mere 15-minute drive from Cape Town, Constantia is the birthplace of South Africa’s wine journey. With a legacy spanning centuries, this renowned and unbelievably beautiful region has undergone remarkable transformations and achieved many milestones over time.
In the mid-17th century, the Dutch East India Company set up the Cape Colony as a refreshment station on their way from Europe to Asia. Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the Cape Colony, was tasked with planting vineyards. Although he had no training whatsoever for this, he did recognize the immense potential of Constantia’s fertile soils and favorable climate.
Van der Stel kicked things off with the establishment of the iconic Groot (‘Big’) Constantia estate. This marked a significant milestone in the country’s winemaking heritage. Van der Stel’s vineyards laid the foundation for what would become the oldest wine-producing region in South Africa and, in 1659, the first vintage in South Africa’s history was recorded.
Over the years, Constantia’s reputation for producing exceptional wines continued to grow. But, in the early 18th century, after van der Stel’s death, the Groot Constantia estate underwent a significant change because of inheritance disputes. This led to its split into several other estates, dividing the Groot into three properties: Groot Constantia, Bergvliet, and Klein (‘Small’) Constantia. Groot and Klein still exist today, while Bergvliet morphed into Buitenverwachting, which is best known today for its epic Sunday lawn picnic days.
Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia became most famous over the 18th and 19th centuries for their dessert wines made from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. These luscious dessert wines became highly acclaimed for their mouth-coating viscosity, opulent character, and flavors of tropical fruits, caramel, and baking spices. They’re truly among the best dessert wines in the world, along with Sauternes and Tokai.
While both estates produced exceptional dessert wines, Groot Constantia’s Constantia Wyn (known as Grand Constance today) enjoyed a greater historical fame and reputation, attracting admiration from around the world and cementing its place as a truly iconic wine.
It became a favorite among high society and even captured the attention of notable historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte.
Meanwhile, Klein Constantia’s dessert wine, known as Vin de Constance, rose to prominence in the modern era, reviving the legacy of its famous predecessor. With its own unique expression, Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance
Due to its proximity to Cape Town (urban sprawl) and topography, there are only a handful of wineries in Contantia today. The original three exist, and then there are Constantia Glen, Beau Constantia, Steenberg Vineyards, and Eagle’s Nest. There simply isn’t enough room for vineyards to have flourished any more than this. Every inch of land around these vines are now homes.
Only a 20-minute drive away from The Mother City, wine lovers flock to this enchanting region because of its intriguing history, warm hospitality, and picturesque landscapes (imagine lush vineyards just below beautiful granite peaks, amidst elegant Cape Dutch architecture).
One defining characteristic of Constantia’s wine production is the influence of the Cape Doctor winds. Known as the “Cape Doctor,” these winds blow from the south-east and play a crucial role in shaping the vineyards and grapes. Originating from the cold Benguela Current off the South Atlantic coast, the Cape Doctor winds bring cool breezes that help moderate temperatures, reduce disease pressure, and contribute to the unique character of Constantia’s wines.
